GOVERNOR Ralph DLG Torres on Saturday said the American Rescue Plan Act that was passed by the Democratic members of the U.S. Congress and signed into law by Democratic President Joe Biden does not require state and territorial legislatures to appropriate the federal funds that the states and territories will receive under the new law.
The CNMI government, through the administration, will get $515 million under the American Rescue Plan. For their part, the Democrats and their independent allies in the local House of Representatives have introduced House Bill 22-33, which would require legislative appropriation of the federal funds.
The House passed the bill by a vote of 10-10 with the speaker breaking the tie by voting again, which is allowed under the House interim rules. The bill now goes to the Republican-led Senate.
A Republican, Torres said under the American Rescue Plan Act, the federal funds must be spent on the critical priorities of the states and territories.
In the CNMI, he said, the administration’s top priorities are to end the reduction-in-force or RIF process, bring back the furloughed employees, return to an 80-hour work week, ensure that the retirees continue receiving 100% of their pensions, pay vendors, and address the government deficit incurred as a result of Typhoon Mangkhut, Super Typhoon Yutu and the Covid-19 pandemic.
He noted that 180 employees were furloughed due to the enforcement of the RIF process, and there were several other employees who were furloughed due to the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.
On Friday, Gov. Torres issued a directive, cancelling the RIF process, recalling the furloughed employees, and returning the government to an 80-hour work week.
Airline incentives to revive the islands’ only industry, tourism, are also on the governor’s to-do list.
The governor said a list of the administration priorities was provided to Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez and Senate President Jude U. Hofschneider.
Governor Torres said he is most grateful to the U.S. government for the American Rescue Plan funds, the $88 million through the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the $160 million awarded to the Public School System.
