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PSS pushes for ‘lawful share’ of the budget
Board of Education member Herman T. Guerrero insists that the Public School System’s share in the fiscal year 2018 casino gross revenue tax isn’t enough, based on the CNMI Constitution.
He said that its recommended share of $2 million is not final and is very far from its expected $15 million.
“I remember during the budget process, even before the fiscal year began, they [lawmakers] kept mentioning that they will give PSS an additional $15 million,” he said. “Now even if the House goes with a different figure, then we are going to look at the Senate helping us. They are more receptive to us than the House in terms of our budget needs.”
In an emergency Senate session last September, Sen. Paul Manglona (Ind-Rota) pointed out that the CNMI Constitution mandates a budget for PSS that is 25 percent “of what is considered the general fund.” With general fund revenues estimated at $46 million, 25 percent is $11 million.
Mangloña also believes PSS should receive 25 percent of the CGRT. He said this year’s CGRT is estimated at about $58 million and that PSS should receive $14.5 million, a quarter of the total amount.
Guerrero said the PSS board is exhausting all available remedies in order to get what PSS is entitled to.
“PSS board chair Marylou Ada is going to write to the governor. Nobody is jumping or excited to help us in this issue but we definitely need to resolve this once and for all,” he said.
“Based his recommendations in the past, perhaps the governor needs to seriously consider this and if he takes the opposing side, we can take it to the Supreme Court,” he added.
Guerrero said that PSS’ plan to file a certified question with the Supreme Court is still underway.
PSS has been working to bring before the Supreme Court the principal question of “what are the general revenues of the Commonwealth?”
“If the governor still refuses to recognize the law and budget for PSS, we have other remedies. One is to sue him and in that lawsuit we can insert the certified question,” he added.
