Some House members who continued to oppose the gambling measure noted that Nov. 4’s non-binding advisory referendum was also the third time that Saipan voters said no to casinos.
By a vote of 10 to 5, House Bill 17-240 now heads to the Senate.
House Floor Leader George N. Camacho, Ind.-Saipan, voted “present” while Rep. Trenton B. Conner, R-Tinian, abstained. Vice Speaker Felicidad T. Ogumoro, Covenant-Saipan, House Minority Leader Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero, R-Saipan, and Rep. Janet U. Maratita, R-Saipan, were absent.
Ogumoro and Deleon Guerrero were in Kosrae for the Association of Pacific Island Legislatures board of directors meeting.
Maratita was in Washington, D.C. for the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Those who voted ‘yes’ to the casino bill were the bill’s author, Rep. Ralph S. Demapan, Covenant-Saipan; Speaker Eli D. Cabrera, R-Saipan; Reps. Froilan C. Tenorio, Covenant-Saipan; Ramon S. Basa, Covenant-Saipan; Sylvestre I. Iguel, Covenant-Saipan; Raymond D. Palacios, Covenant-Saipan; Stanley T. Torres, Ind.-Saipan; Fredrick P. Deleon Guerrero, Ind.-Saipan; Joseph M. Palacios, R-Saipan; and Tony P. Sablan, R-Saipan.
Those who voted ‘no’ were Reps. Francisco S. Dela Cruz, R-Saipan; Ray A. Tebuteb, R-Saipan; Ray N. Yumul, R-Saipan; Edmund S. Villagomez, Covenant-Saipan; and Teresita A. Santos, Ind.-Rota.
Before House members voted on the Bill, Tebuteb asked the proponents, “If there’s a compromise with the Senate this time, let it be known. Is there a compromise?”
Demapan answered, “No.”
The first Saipan casino bill was rejected by the Senate last year. Six of the nine senators are from Rota and Tinian, both of which have struggling casinos.
Dela Cruz said although the participation in Nov. 4’s survey was dismal, “the sentiments of the majority of those who cast their votes was still no.”
The result was 425 against and 416 for the Saipan casino proposal.
Dela Cruz said if proponents believe there are interested investors, “why not impose a $150 million license fee?”
He then proposed an amendment to increase the proposed license fee from $10 million to $150 million. The amendment was rejected by a 6 to 11 vote.
Demapan said “let’s give it another shot,” referring to the Saipan casino proposal.
He also challenged those who oppose casinos to offer better ideas to help the CNMI economy.
Cabrera said the CNMI government faces so many obligations not only to the Retirement Find and private vendors but also to government employees.
He claimed that many of those who previously opposed casinos are now supporting it.
Rep. Joseph M. Palacios said H.B. 17-240 has provisions that address social ills that may be created by casino gambling.
Basa compared the CNMI economy to a dying person. “If somebody’s dying, he said, “we find a way to save his life.”
“That is what we’re trying to do now with our economy,” he added.
Conner said “desperate times require desperate measures.” But he is concerned about the lack of a committee report that lists the pros and cons as well as an analysis of how a casino can be a viable economic activity here. He also wants to know if there are casino investors interested on Saipan.
If the bill becomes law, he added, “I just hope that it won’t have a negative effect on the people of Tinian, many of whom are now working in the casino there.”
Santos said the new casino bill is “short-sighted” and should have been turned into an initiative so voters can make the final decision.
