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‘Let’s help PSS’
SNILD chair: I intend to
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Posted on Aug 29 2019
Rep. Edwin K. Propst (Ind-Saipan) urged the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation in a session last Monday to help the Public School System as it grapples with its financial woes, to which delegation chair Rep. John Paul Sablan (R-Saipan) said he intends to do.
During the delegation session’s miscellaneous section, Propst recommended that they look at “helping” PSS, especially since the delegation is expecting a large chunk of money from the casino license renewal fee.
According to Public Law 20-10, the $15 million annual renewal fee that Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC is required to pay the CNMI every year is to be distributed to Saipan ($11 million), Rota ($2 million), and Tinian ($2 million).
“…With this big chunk of money coming in, I would like us to seriously…consider helping PSS, to meet with the commissioner and talk about their financial needs that is immediate,” he said.
At the time of the delegation session, IPI has paid only a portion of the annual obligation. Once the entire amount is paid, Propst said the delegation could to meet with Education Commissioner Glenn Muña. IPI paid the renewal fee in full last Tuesday.
“I kindly ask that you meet with the commissioner,” Propst said, addressing Sablan. “…This is something we really need to consider. School is about to open and they need help.”
In a later statement to Saipan Tribune, Sablan noted that, even without Propst’s recommendation, he intends to assist PSS.
“…As the chairman of [the delegation] and with the damage our schools have incurred from Super Typhoon Yutu, I strongly feel that it is fitting for the delegation to assist PSS with our schools here on Saipan,” he said.
While Saipan is allocated $11 million of the $15 million annual casino license renewal fee, P.L. 20-10 allocates $1.5 million to the Saipan Higher Education Financial Assistance program, effectively leaving the delegation with only $9.5 million to work with.
No legislation has been introduced yet as of publication.
