CRISPIN M. Sablan, who sells betel nut on island, told the Senate on Monday that imposing an “unreasonable” excise tax on imported betel nut and lime mix “will kill my family business.”
In his written comment to Senate President Edith Deleon Guerrero, Sablan said he is not against a tax hike that aims to raise funds for the government. But a $5 excise tax per pound of betel nut is an unreasonable amount, he added.
“It…will kill my family business, and will greatly affect, financially, all the local consumers of these betel nuts, daily,” Sablan said.
He said the Legislature can be “fairer” by raising the business gross revenue tax “across the board on all businesses so we can all contribute to support…our government, right?”
Sablan said the government should also:
1) Pursue the collection of funds owed by Imperial Pacific International or bid out its exclusive casino license to new investors that can run a good casino operation in the CNMI and generate new revenue for the government.
2) Take over the commercial port in Puerto Rico. “I heard in Guam the shipping port is a big money-making machine…. Why is it that only a certain few families are benefitting from this business?”
3) Bring in more investors that can bring new revenue to our islands. For example, find a new investor to reopen the Mariana Resort & Spa.
4) Work harder to bring in more tourists from Japan, Korea, China and other countries.
Sablan is asking the Senate to block H.B. 23-41, “which would kill our family business and all the betel nut consumers if this bill is passed and becomes a law. Please help us, Senator.”
