By Emmanuel T. Erediano
emmanuel@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
GOVERNOR David M. Apatang on Thursday invited other CNMI officials and business community leaders to participate in a Governor’s Revenue Council he is establishing in response to fiscal reform policies submitted by a committee he created last year to develop plans for a balanced budget.
Those invited to serve on the council include Finance Secretary Tracy B. Norita, Special Assistant for Management and Budget Virginia Villagomez, Commerce Secretary Remy C. Mafnas, CNMI Labor Secretary Leila F. Staffler, Office of Grants Management and State Clearinghouse Administrator Epiphanio Cabrera, Marianas Visitors Authority Managing Director Jamika Taijeron, Commonwealth Economic Development Authority Executive Director Derek Sasamoto, Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers member Michael Sablan, Saipan Chamber of Commerce President Joe C. Guerrero, House Ways and Means Committee Chair John Paul Sablan, and Senate Fiscal Affairs Committee Chair Jude U. Hofschneider.
In his invitation letter, Apatang said he wants the invitees to participate in the council’s critical tasks, including playing a central role in formulating the fiscal year 2027 revenue forecast, which will serve as the basis for his FY 2027 budget proposal.
Noting that the council will be composed of both government and private-sector stakeholders, Apatang said he expects it to provide valuable insights into economic factors that should be considered in the formulation of the annual budget.
The governor outlined the council’s responsibilities as follows:
• Evaluating revenue, expenditure, and program reports from the Department of Finance, Office of Management and Budget, and Office of Grants Management.
• Evaluating business statistics and economic reports from the Departments of Commerce and Labor.
• Evaluating economic data from the Marianas Visitors Authority and the Commonwealth Economic Development Authority.
• Producing multiple revenue scenarios for budget formulation.
Apatang scheduled the council’s initial meeting for Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, at 10 a.m. in the governor’s conference room on Capital Hill.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
