Rep. Teresita A. Santos, Ind.-Rota, questioned the constitutionality of House Local Bill 17-57 while Sen. Juan M. Ayuyu, described it an “old leverage strategy.”
Torres’ bill appropriates $94 million of the entire CNMI financial resources for Saipan only and identifies “for record purposes” the $4 million each generated by Tinian and Rota.
Right after Torres, Ind.-Saipan, introduced his measure, Santos, Ind.-Rota, questioned its constitutionality.
But House legal counsel John Cool said a senatorial district is authorized to appropriate funds generated in that district.
If that is so, Santos said, then the entire Legislature does not have to work on the CNMI budget. Each delegation, she added, can just appropriate funds for their respective islands.
In a separate interview, Senator Ayuyu, Ind.-Rota said he believes that Torres’ bill is part of a strategy to push for a different matter.
Torres is the author of the Saipan casino bill that needs to be passed by the Senate, which is controlled by Rota and Tinian.
Ayuyu said lawmakers should focus on the “primary issue, which is the budget.”
Senate President Paul A. Manglona, Ind.-Rota; Sen. Frank Q. Cruz, R-Tinian; and Rep. Trenton B. Conner, R-Tinian, declined to comment.
