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Froilan says budget law is unconstitutional
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Posted on Sep 27 2011
By Haidee V. Eugenio
Reporter
Reporter
Rep. Froilan Tenorio (Cov-Saipan) said yesterday that the budget bill the Legislature passed on Friday and signed by acting governor Eloy S. Inos yesterday is “not a balanced one and is therefore unconstitutional.”
Tenorio was the only lawmaker who voted against the budget bill on Friday.
In a news briefing at Bistro Marianas in Susupe yesterday, Tenorio said he only cited the equal $138,000 leadership account for the House and Senate as his main reason for objecting to the budget bill during Friday’s session but there’s more to it.
The former speaker and governor said the government will not collect its projected $120.679 million.
Under the budget law, $102 million of this amount is available for appropriation.
Tenorio said when the budget was formulated, it was long before the March 11 disasters in Japan struck so the impact of that event on tourism activities was not yet factored in. Gov. Benigno R. Fitial submitted his budget package to the Legislature on April 1.
“There’s no way we can collect $120 million. Therefore, it’s not a balanced budget and therefore it is unconstitutional,” he told reporters.
Tenorio reiterated that only through legalization of casino gambling on Saipan will the CNMI be able to meet and exceed the $120 million projected revenue. He said a Saipan casino industry will generate an additional $100 million in revenue that will boost the economy.
Tenorio said there are four groups of Japanese and Chinese investors waiting for the casino legislation to be signed.
“Once the casino bill becomes law, I’m also going to introduce a bill to earmark 100 percent of the business gross revenue tax from casino operations to the Retirement Fund until all unfunded liabilities are paid and until all the government’s debts are paid,” he said.
