By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

BESIDES the Public School System, the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Public Health, the administration will include Northern Marianas College on the list of agencies whose budgets will be restored after being reduced by 15.6 percent, according to Press Secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr.
“We have to protect those essential services and the governor, I think, has already made a commitment not only to PSS, DPS and (Public Health) but to the college as well,” he said.
He added that “the governor vows to use whatever means he can to preserve and restore the budgets of these critical agencies.”
Under the proposed budget reduction proposal, NMC’s $6.1 million spending level for fiscal year 2007 will be reduced to $5.2 million.
The college, which has 141 personnel, was allotted $4.3 million for payroll and $680,446 for “all others.” Utility billings will be paid through tuition and fees.
“This is one of the highlights of the Fitial administration,” Reyes said. “To engage in constant communication and consultation with both PSS and NMC. Working with the educational institutions is a relatively new development which this administration started.”
Asked how the governor can restore the budget cuts, Reyes said: “We cannot say right now if there are any other sources or areas outside collections that we’re expecting…but there are bright spots such as the purchase of the Laolao Golf Course.”
He said the CNMI stands to benefit in terms of additional air-seat capacity for tourists and additional employment opportunities once the Laolao facility is renovated.
Reyes said portions of the projected austerity savings may also be used to restore the budget cuts.
He said the governor may tap cover-over taxes that the CNMI is trying to collect from the federal government.