Senate Bill 17-51, which will increase the director’s salary cap from $42,000 to $50,000, was passed by a 13-0 vote.
Absent were House Minority Floor Leader Diego T. Benavente, R-Saipan, whose resignation took effect on July 16; House Floor Leader George N. Camacho, Ind.-Saipan; Reps. Froilan C. Tenorio, Covenant-Saipan; Sylvestre I. Iguel, Covenant-Saipan; Ray, N. Yumul, R-Saipan; Trenton B. Conner, R-Tinian; and Teresita A. Santos, Ind.-Rota.
The measure was introduced by Senate Vice President Jude U. Hofschneider, R-Tinian, and now returns to the Senate.
The last Rev & Tax director was Estrelita Ada who resigned a year ago. Because the division has no director, there has been poor enforcement of poker rules, lack of poker revenue monitoring and delays in the release of tax rebates, the bill’s proponents stated.
The administration has said that the Rev & Tax director is among the most difficult positions to fill. Its current salary is not attractive to those qualified for the position, the administration said.
Rep. Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero, R-Saipan, said he supported S.B. 17-51 because he sees the need to attract qualified applicants “especially if we want to be more proactive in pursuing revenue collection.”
Raising the salary, he said “is a step in the right direction.”
Speaker Eli D. Cabrera, R-Saipan, said the administration has been trying to raise more revenue and that is why its fiscal year 2012 budget submission allows for more full-time employee positions for Rev & Tax.
After a short recess, the House members reconsidered the inclusion of the amendment offered by Rep. Tony P. Sablan.
Sablan, R-Saipan, proposed a provision that caps the salary of the Department of Finance’s other “unclassified division chief and special assistants” to $40,800.
This means that among the division directors of Finance, only the Rev & Tax chief will receive a salary of not more than $50,000.
