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‘SHEFA has alternative funding’
A lawmaker, who previously voted against the passage of a bill to extend by two more years the transition period for poker parlors to relocate, now says that alternative funding for the Saipan Higher Education Financial Assistance program has been identified.
Rep. Angel A. Demapan (R-Saipan) said a bill has already been passed in the 20th Legislature that appropriates $1.5 million to the program from the annual casino application fee, or Public Law 20-10.
“We can increase this number if the need arises,” he said, adding that he authored P.L. 20-10.
“My voting record shows that I have voted against previous legislation to allow poker parlors any form of extension to remain in the villages,” he said.
H.L.B. 20-48 sought to rezone certain zoning districts on Saipan to, in effect, allow the operation of poker parlors.
“I stated then that the transition period of four years was more than enough time for poker operators to move out of the villages,” said Demapan, referring to a previous bill that drives out the poker parlors from villages after an initial transitional period of two years that was later extended by another two years.
“I still maintain that position,” continued Demapan. “I would have voted against H.L.B. 20-48 and my colleagues know that.”
