In an interview yesterday, he said the Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission submitted a $3.2 million projected revenue for next fiscal year.
The island’s legislative delegation, he added, asked the commission to review its submission and come up with more “realistic figure.”
“Their overall projection is approximately 34 percent less than what was projected in the last budget year,” said Hofschneider, R-Tinian.
He said although they understand the current situation of the economy, the commission should seek “opportunities” that may increase the revenue projection.
But the commission and the municipal government were also asked by the delegation to make the necessary “adjustments” based on the actual projection.
According to Hofschneider, the Tinian leaders’ priority is to save government jobs on their island and continue providing educational assistance to deserving students.
Tinian’s current budget is $3.9 million of which more than 50 percent is sourced from casino revenues.
The island’s spending level is still set by a budget enacted two years ago, but island leaders said they will pass a new budget before the end of next month.
Hofschneider said Tinian’s leadership prefers work-hour reductions to layoffs.
