The senators also unanimously passed a House bill that creates a transit authority office, a Senate measure that renames Rota airport after former Lt. Gov. Benjamin T. Manglona, a proposal to require double locks on poker machines and legislation regarding the release of scholarship checks.
ETC suspension
With Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes, R-Saipan, and Sen. Luis P. Crisostimo, Ind.-Saipan, abstaining, the rest of the senators passed Senate Bill 17-68 which will suspend the educational tax credit program.
Under this program, donations to schools are deducted from the tax amount a donor has to pay the government.
Authored by Sen. Juan M. Ayuyu, Ind.-Rota, S.B. 17-68 stated that in these difficult economic times, “even important policies must be limited.”
It added, “We cannot afford a tax credit which diminishes the overall money received in tax revenues.”
Late last month, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial vetoed a Senate bill that would include scholarship offices as recipients of educational tax donations.
Fitial said S.B. 17-24, which Ayuyu also introduced, would result in a further reduction in government collections.
According to S.B. 17-68, those who can afford to give to schools or other charitable organizations are often better off than less fortunate citizens.
“We find that the ETC should be suspended during any period when our government workers are receiving less than 80 hours workweek,” the bill stated.
Double lock
With Crisostimo abstaining, the eight other senators passed S.B. 17-67 which requires poker machines to be double-locked and allow the Department of Finance to have the second key “to ensure badly needed revenue” for the commonwealth.”
Introduced by Sen. Ralph DLG Torres, R-Saipan, the bill stated that poker revenues “are not accurately assessed.”
There is no automatic recording of poker monies, which are supposed be monitored and reported, the bill stated.
It added that although various machines electronically record each dollar bet, “it is well known in the industry that it is possible to tamper these. The incentive to underreport poker earnings is substantial as it puts more money in the hands of the poker operators.”
The Finance secretary, the bill stated, is already empowered to send enforcement officers to arcades when poker monies are withdrawn from the machines.
Once S.B. 17-67 becomes law, amusement arcades will be required to have a second lock, with the key combination, or other method of opening in the hands of Finance only. This lock will secure the money in the machine to prevent it from being withdrawn without the presence of Finance personnel.
Manglona airport
The Senate unanimously voted to pass the bill naming the Rota airport after former Lt. Gov. Benjamin T. Manglona.
Introduced by Sen. Jovita M. Taimanao, Ind.-Rota, S.B. 17-65 honors Manglona “for his public service, dedication and contributions to the development and advancement of the commonwealth and especially the island and people of Rota.”
Once the bill becomes law the airport in Sinapalo will be called “Benjamin Taisacan Manglona International Airport.”
Transit authority
House Bill 17-43, which will create an office of transit authority, is now on its way to the governor after the Senate unanimously passed it.
Introduced by Rep. Ray N. Yumul, R-Saipan, H.B. 17-43 creates a transit office within the governors’ office to “formulate goals and objectives for a public transportation system; develop a public transportation system; seek, identify and apply for federal funds; implement public transportation policies; recommend necessary changes in CNMI law; procure public transportation vehicles, equipment and supplies; employ support staff and submit annual report to the governor and the presiding officers of the Legislature pertaining to public transportation programs and operations.”
The bill states that without an adequate transportation services in the community, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and indigent individuals cannot easily access the job market, medical services, educational and recreational institutions.
