“After assessing the various appropriations, priority was given to education, youth programs, and matters addressing the health and safety of our community. Inclusion of the other appropriations would exceed the projected collections for Fiscal Year 2010,” the governor said in his message to the Legislature.
SHEFA will get an additional $100,000 for its operations in addition to the $3 million scholarship money.
The governor also appropriated $39,985 to the Manta Ray Band at Saipan Southern High School to perform at the Carnegie Hall in New York City on April 17-21, 2010.
“This administration strongly supports this activity. Even during these tough economic times, we must encourage our children to excel in the music and the arts. Our children should not suffer because of our geographic location. The opportunity for the CNMI to be represented in the Carnegie Hall is a prestigious one which we embrace,” he said.
The CNMI Little League will receive $50,000 from the newly signed local law. The Agricultural Fair will get $15,000.
New guard rails will also be installed at the airport road for $40,000.
The San Vicente basketball court repairs will get $20,000.
The Koblerville Youth Center will get $10,000 while the San Antonio Manhoben Center will get $6,300.
The Northern Marianas Trades Institute will get $100,000.
The Saipan Zoning Office was appropriated $75,000 while the Saipan and Northern Islands Dog Control Act was earmarked $80,000.
But the $50,000 appropriation for the Saipan Liberation Day activities was vetoed.
So did the $1.4 million funding for Precinct 3’s road paving and drainage improvement projects; the $20,000 for the development of the Chamorro-English Dictionary; $20,000 for Hopwood Junior High School’s new pick-up truck; $4,000 to procure eight wheelchairs for the CNMI medical referral offices in Guam and Hawaii, among other projects.
