The bill proposes to earmark 10 percent of casino tax revenues for the struggling scholarship program which is currently funded by poker license fees.
“While this percentage may appear appealing to SHEFA, [it] also appears to exclude other sources of revenue that may be subject to earmarking,” Hofschneider said.
SHEFA Chairman Jose C. Mafnas said they “don’t want to be involved” in the ongoing debate about House Local Bill 17-44, which he described as a “sensitive” issue.
However, he said board members can attend the public hearings on the casino bill but as individual citizens.
“The members can go there in their personal capacity. We want to remain neutral on this,” Mafnas said, but added that they will submit their official position to the Saipan lawmakers.
The SHEFA board was invited to appear in the public hearings.
