Flashback – Feb. 2000-Feb. 2008

Feb. 29,2000

Study says CNMI needs 900 more hotel rooms

A financial analysis conducted by the CNMI’s Strategic Economic Development Council has projected that an additional 900 hotel rooms will be needed to make up for the expected lost in revenues as a result of the projected decline in the garment industry. The Council, composed of executives from local and regional banks, hotels, airlines, retailers, and travel agents, aims to create a coordinated long-term vision for the future growth of the Northern Marianas. Business leaders have been meeting to discuss ways on how to diversify and strengthen the local economy with the expected pull out of garment manufacturers with the implementation of world trade agreements scheduled to take effect in the year 2005.

DOC supports plans to boost agriculture sector

The Department of Commerce is backing a move by the CNMI Legislature to remove restrictions in the overly protected local agriculture sector, in fresh effort to revitalize existing industries in the Northern Marianas. Commerce Secretary Frankie Villanueva is particularly in support of proposals to reduce minimum investment threshold for commercial farming and fishing from $2 million to $200,000. Mr. Villanueva said the proposed reduction, offered by a pending legislation introduced by House Speaker Ben Fitial, is more reasonable than the current level which has been considered too restrictive.

Feb. 29, 2004

CNMI renews its push for delegate seat

The House Resources Committee heard testimony Thursday on a longstanding issue for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands-the creation of a non-voting delegate’s position to represent the CNMI’s interests in Congress. Unlike Guam and other territories with non-voting delegates, the CNMI currently has a “resident representative” in the nation’s capital-Pete A. Tenorio-with no authority to work in Congress at any level. The resident representative serves as more of a lobbyist, writing letters and talking to policy-makers, said Tenorio. “I don’t have any opportunity at all to be able to influence legislation,” Tenorio said. “We are revisiting it because we feel the Northern Marianas … deserve to have the same right of representation.”

Passenger fee assures FAA-funded projects

The proposed collection of passenger fees at all CNMI airports would secure the needed 10-percent matching fund for all airport Improvement projects that are funded by the Federal Aviation Administration, according to executive director Carlos H. Salas of Commonwealth Ports Authority. He said the proposed fee-also called the Passenger Facility Charge-would assure the FAA that the CNMI can put up the needed 10-percent share in the AIP. The AIP funds are usually given to airports across the United States 18 months before the projects take place.

Feb. 29,2008

‘Cap minimum wage at $4.05 for 2 years’

Washington Rep. Pete A. Tenorio is skeptical that the U.S. Congress can pass a law to stop the next increase to the minimum wage by May 25. As a compromise, he suggests that Congress pass a law capping the minimum wage in the CNMI at $4.05 an hour, the wage expected after the implementation of the second increase, and allow it to remain in effect for two years. Tenorio, in the testimony he prepared for the U.S. Senate hearing in Thursday evening, says this will provide workers with a total increase of a dollar an hour, “which is a significant step toward a livable wage.” He expresses hope that the two-year break would provide time for needed data to be collected on the impact of the implemented and future wage hikes.

AMIM turns attention to Guam military buildup

The Association of Marianas Islands Mayors, Vice Mayors and Municipal Council members held the first session of its 15th general assembly yesterday at the Seaside Hall of the Saipan Grand Hotel. The AMIM meets annually to share resources and ideas and discuss issues pertaining to their islands. Barrigada Mayor Jessie Palican, who is the 2007 AMIM vice president, said the group will also talk about the socio-economic impacts that the islands are facing right now. The main topic in yesterday’s general assembly was to form a discussion on the impending military buildup in the Pacific region. However, the guest speakers were not able to make it to yesterday’s gathering.