FLASHBACK – Apr. 14, 2012

Apr. 14, 1999

Reyes expects budget to fall to $180M

The budget proposed by Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio for fiscal year 2000 may dip to $180 million, which could force the government to further cut down personnel costs, the chair of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee warned yesterday. In an interview with reporters, Rep. Karl T. Reyes said revenues anticipated to be collected next year by finance officials could likely fall below the $206 million as projected in the budget package submitted early this month to the Legislature. He maintained the administration has yet to fully estimate the decline in the collections from user fees paid out by garment manufacturers who have warned earlier of business slowdown in the next few months due to increasing global competition and the impact of the recent lawsuit.

Governor, chiefs to meet

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio said yesterday he will attend the annual meeting of the Council of Micronesian Chief Executives scheduled for next week at the Marshall Islands. This will be the first time that Tenorio would join heads of states and island governors from the Micronesian region for the yearly gathering since he became governor two years ago. The three-day meeting, which begins April 22 on the northern Likiep atoll in the Marshalls, is expected to focus on transportation issues, tourism, marine life protection, and the Micronesian games to be held in 2002.

Apr. 14, 2000

House leadership lobbies vs takeover

Local lawmakers on a visit to Washington D.C. yesterday expressed confidence of drawing support of the majority members of the U.S. Congress against efforts to federalize labor and immigration in the CNMI as discussion focused on the island’s conditions. In a flurry of meetings they described as the “most productive” yet in their week-long visit, the 10-member delegation raised with key members and staff of the Republican leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives issues affecting the Commonwealth and efforts being undertaken by the island government to develop the economy. Their support, however, hinges on whether the CNMI continues to do the “right thing,” according to Speaker Benigno R. Fitial.

EAGI to tackle Soll’s nomination in May

Acting Attorney General Herb D. Soll will face the powerful Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Governmental Investigations on May 5, less than a week before his appointment expires without its advice and consent. But EAGI chair Sen. Joaquin G. Adriano said he does not foresee any problem for his confirmation, noting that most committee members have expressed support for the governor’s choice. The committee has scheduled a public hearing on his nomination at the Tinian Court House and asked government officials, led by Chief Justice Miguel S. Demapan and mayors of the three municipalities, as well as lawyers and private sector representatives to attend the town meeting.

Apr. 14, 2003

CHC proposer’s appeal denied

The Division of Procurement and Supply has denied-again-the appeal of Casa Felipe, whose bid to supply the Commonwealth Health Center with nursing staff was earlier rejected by the same division. Department of Public Health risk manager Nancy Gottfried said that Casa Felipe is now appealing its case with the Office of the Public Auditor. “Procurement upheld its earlier decision and the appeal is now with the OPA,” she said. With the appeal pending, Gottfried said the P&S and the DPH cannot award any contract pending the OPA review of the case. “Right now, we’re still evaluating all proposals. We can’t move without OPA’s decision.”

Four cases of probable SARS in Japan-WHO

The mysterious flu-like illness known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or SARS may now have widened its reach to include the CNMI’s major tourism market-Japan. The World Health Organization has posted on its website since Friday that four probable SARS cases have been recorded in Japan. The April 12 WHO report did not cite specific areas of SARS infection in Japan. It also did not indicate any local transmission of SARS in the country. The health organization, citing economic projections, said the economic consequences of SARS could amount to $30 billion.