Since the time of 14th Legislature, $1.1 million in poker license fee collections that were appropriated remain unspent, according to Department of Public Works documents.
Because the Saipan Little League 2011 ended five months ago, the Saipan and Northern Island Legislative Delegation agreed Tuesday to withdraw House Local Bill 17-52 that originally re-appropriated $5,000 in poker money for the youth sports event.
The local bill’s author, Rep. Ray N. Yumul, R-Saipan, prepared a substitute bill that appropriates a total of $180,218 of the $1.1 million in unspent poker money.
DPW records showed that $154,577 in poker money was appropriated for Precinct 1 but was not spent. Also appropriated and unspent were $134,894 for Precinct 2; $549,458, Precinct 3; $173,269, Precinct 4; and $171,756, Precinct 5.
Public Works’ Oct. 5 status report, however, indicated that not all the unspent poker funds could be re-appropriated.
A total of $775,209 is being used by the Department of Public Works for ongoing projects in different precincts. So there is only $391,278 left to be re-appropriated for new projects.
Yumul’s H.L.B. 17-254 proposes $5,000 for the Northern Islands Development Summit; $2,000, leadership memorial courtyard; $11,250 for a mower; $2,000 for the children’s park in Dandan; $1,325 for DPW’s operation; $10,750 for the payment of electric bills and reconnection of power to the San Roque and As Matuis basketball courts; $4,658 for Pakpak Beach improvements; and $143,235 for various projects in Precinct 2.
Speaker Eli D. Cabrera, R-Saipan, said he will offer an amendment to re-appropriate $2,000 for the construction of bleachers at the San Vicente basketball court.
