Fitial met with the Senate and House leadership in his conference room yesterday afternoon to once again air his concerns regarding the budget and election bills.
Last Friday, the Senate passed its amended version of the budget bill, or H.B. 17-96, which reduced the cut in government working hours from 16 to eight.
Variety was told that the governor was also upset about the Senate’s deletion of the exit poll provision in H.B. 17-104, which now returns to the House of Representatives.
The House leadership wanted the “exit poll” so voters can air their “sentiment” about the recommendation of the U.S. Department of the Interior to grant improved immigration status to guest workers who have been in the CNMI for at least five years.
But Senate Vice President Jude U. Hofschneider, R-Tinian, denied that the governor discussed the “exit poll” during the meeting.
Sen. Jovita M. Taimanao, Ind.-Rota, said the governor urged them “to work together as one.” She said the meeting will continue today.
In an interview prior to the meeting, Hofschnedeir said they already know what the people have to say about Interior’s recommendation based on the series of public hearings held by lawmakers in the past months.
The Legislature, he added, has also adopted a resolution opposing the report and is now working on its own recommendation that will be sent to the U.S. Congress.
The exit poll, he added, is redundant and may even contradict the Legislature’s recommendation.
Press Secretary Angel Demapan said deleting the exit poll provision from the election bill deprives the people of their chance to be heard about the issue.
Rep. Raymond D. Palacios, Covenant-Saipan, said including the exit poll in the November election is the only opportunity for the CNMI voters to comment on Interior’s report.
Rep. Fredrick P. Deleon Guerrero, Ind.-Saipan and another member of the House leadership, said he is extremely disappointed “that something important has been deleted.”
Indigenous Affairs Executive Director Ignacio Demapan said the result of the exit poll will guide the U.S. Congress if it decides to act on Interior’s recommendation.
