FLASHBACK – Jun. 19, 2012

Jun. 19, 2000

Senate OKs tougher penalties vs businesses without license

Legislation seeking tougher penalties against businesses operating without a government license is now awaiting action from Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio after the Senate passed on Friday HB-12-45 classifying such offense a criminal act. If it becomes law, violators could be found guilty of a felony, punishable by a fine of not more than $50,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both. The measure, proposed by Rep. David M. Apatang, is an amendment to existing statute under Public Law 11-73 that allows the Department of Commerce to impose administrative sanctions against businesses without the necessary license.

Reyes: Stop whining over CUC decision

The proponent of the law procuring Saipan’s 80-megawatt power plant has brushed aside protests filed by losing bidders against selection of Enron, saying that it is just part of the process that involves a project with such magnitude. “We cannot avoid cry-baby situation. This is a system that we just have to bear and [grin],” said Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes when asked for comment. He authored Public Law 12-1 or the Energy Sufficiency Act that reinstated the mothballed power plant, a law that is now being challenged by two bidders of the controversial project as unconstitutional.

Jun. 19, 2001

Land dispute may derail waste management plan

The government may face a legal battle if it fails to settle claims on its alleged use of a private land for the Lower Base Refuse Transfer Station. Lawyer Stephen J. Nutting, who represents the heirs of Rita Rogolofoi, said the government is illegally occupying a large portion of property sitting next close to the Public School System’s Pupil Transportation office in Lower Base. Nutting said the property’s ownership was settled in 1987 by the Office of the Public Lands. “Despite the ruling, the government used the property as it wished, without regard to actual ownership.”

SHRM tackles health insurance issues

The CNMI chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management will hold its monthly membership meeting on June 21 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Kathleen Troy-Rucker, ESQ., who is the General Counsel for the CNMI Retirement Fund and GHLIP, will speak about the Health Insurance Portability Act (HIPA) of 1996. This law sets requirements for health insurance policies. Employers can be jointly liable, along with the insurance carrier, if their health insurance policies do not meet HIPA requirements. Chapter membership meetings are not limited to members. Prospective members and companies or individuals interested in the discussion topic are invited to attend. June’s luncheon meeting will be held at the Giovanni’s Restaurant at the Hyatt from 11:30 to 1:15 on June 21. The cost for the luncheon is $15 for members and $20 for non-members.

Jun. 19, 2002

Concerns raised over shipment of nuke waste through Guam, CNMI

Guam Congressman Robert A. Underwood yesterday expressed his reservations over a shipment of mixed uranium-plutonium oxide (MOX) that may travel near Guam and the Mariana Islands on its journey from Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. in Japan to British Nuclear Fuels PLC in the United Kingdom. In a June 11 letter to State Department Secretary Colin Powell, Underwood called for assurances from Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States that every precaution possible is taken, so the health and welfare of Pacific Islanders not be jeopardized by a possible terrorist act or mishap at sea. “Recognizing that this MOX can be diverted for nuclear weapons use, I remain especially concerned with the physical and security protection measures for this planned shipment and its traversing near Guam and through the Pacific in a post-September 11th environment,” Underwood told Powell.

CDA helps small businesses through Microloan Program

The Commonwealth Development Authority has loaned out more than $100,000 under its Microloan Program in the first quarter of the 2002. According to a report prepared by the CNMI Department of Commerce, CDA’s Microloans in the first three months of the year soared by almost 50 percent to $108,389 from 52,500 during the same period last year. The same report noted that by end-December 2001, the government lending arm’s loaned out $114,800 under the Microloan program.