FLASHBACK – Jun. 28, 2012

Jun. 28, 2000

New law prohibits hunting of Paluman Tottot

Hunting of the Commonwealth bird Paluman Tottot is now prohibitive under a new law signed by Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio on Monday. Public Law 12-8 strengthens the regulations being implemented by the Division of Fish and Wildlife to protect all bird species endemic to the Northern Marianas, he said. Likewise, the governor expressed relief that the division has reported a “healthy” and “increasing” population of Tottot, which had been excluded from the endangered list until enactment of the new law.

Business leaders lauds passage of omnibus bill

Business leaders yesterday commended the Senate for the passage of Business Reform and Labor Act despite major amendments which did not include the repeal of the three-year stay limit and the Fair Compensation Act. After marathon meetings between the Senate Committee Resources and Programs and representatives from the business sector, Saipan Chamber of Commerce president Lynn Knight said she now understands why there is a need to defer the scrapping of the three-year residency limit for nonresident workers. She said she agrees with the Senate to wait for the outcome of the proposed legislation extending federal immigration laws to the Northern Marianas.

Jun. 28, 2001

Businessmen fear hike in rental fees

Beach concessions on Saipan that run watersports-ranging from jetskis, to banana boats and parasailing activities-are hoping that rental fees will remain at its current level once they tackle the issue with the government in August. The leader of the group of beach concessionaires, Jose T. Attao, fears the Office of Public Lands may increase rental fees, which would further aggravate their already shaky financial standings. He said any plans by Public Lands to assess higher rental fees would only kill the operations of beach concessions around Saipan. Attao also fears that Public Lands may bid out existing lots, which would ultimately lead to the demise of small operators.

USDA blows horn over rising delinquency rate

The US Department of Agriculture yesterday sought the assistance of local congressmen in the recovery of delinquent mortgage payments from retired government workers. USDA Rural Development Manager Joseph Diego and Farmers’ Home Program representatives Steve Cruz and Howard Macaranas met with legislators to discuss the increasing mortgage delinquency rate in the Commonwealth. In a briefing held at the House of Representatives, the three USDA officials discussed the current status of the Farmers’ Home Program and other related federal programs that can be made available to Northern Marianas residents.

Jun. 28, 2002

IRS, NMI tie up vs tax cheaters

The U.S. Department of Treasury’s Internal Revenue Service joined other federal and local agencies in running after mainland tax evaders who fraudulently represent themselves as CNMI residents so they can take advantage of the local rebate system. The IRS has designated Victor Song of its Criminal Investigation Office as special agent-in-charge in the Commonwealth. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, the CNMI Attorney General’s Office and the CNMI Department of Finance have joined the IRS in the effort. A reward system that would give up to $25,000 in bounty to each informant who tips the government about the tax cheaters was put in place. Song said an informant’s identity would remain confidential. He announced an IRS hotline: (670) 236-2987.

’$213M budget may be reduced’

Gov. Juan N. Babauta’s $213 million budget submission for fiscal year 2003 is highly unlikely and may have to go under the legislative knife to reduce it to realistic levels. House Speaker Heinz S. Hofschneider stressed this yesterday, even as he agreed with the opinion of other lower chamber lawmakers that the 10-percent increase in the projected revenue for Fiscal Year 2003 is unrealistic. “We have to assess revenue generation based on historical data for the last five quarters. We can even go back to the last two years and see the trend on the availability of revenue. Based on these, it is quite difficult to come up with justification for the $213 million budget,” he said.