The Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation last week passed House Local Bill 17-44, a Saipan casino measure, but its constitutionality may be challenged.
In an interview with reporters, Cabrera said he will ask Reps. Ralph S. Demapan, Covenant-Saipan; Sylvestre I. Iguel, Covenant-Saipan; Fredrick P. Deleon Guerrero, Ind.-Saipan; and Tony P. Sablan, R-Saipan to work on the new casino bill.
Cabrera said “we were asked to do another bill on a House level so we can send it to the Senate.”
He said it was the Senate, which rejected a similar bill last year that made the “request.”
“I am just doing this thing as requested,” Cabrera said. “As a speaker, I have a good working communication and relationship with the Senate so I will do this for everybody’s benefit,” he added, noting the commonwealth’s declining revenue and the necessity to sufficiently fund the Public School System and Northern Marianas College.
Variety learned that the administration, which supports the Saipan casino proposal, wants a CNMI-wide measure to avoid litigation.
In a separate interview Senate President Paul A. Manglona said he is confident that the House will act on Senate Bill 17-90, which calls for a referendum on the Saipan casino issue.
“I am hopeful [that House members] are reasonable public servants so it’s only right to bring [this issue] back to the people,” said Manglona, Ind.-Rota.
Sen. Ralph DLG. Torres, R-Saipan and author of S.B. 17-90, said his bill will allow the people to decide.
But Cabrera said they are concerned about the cost of holding a referendum.
The Commonwealth Election Commission, he added, estimated that the expenses may amount to $80,000.
“Who is going to pay for that?” the speaker asked.
Cabrera said once the House passes another casino bill, the Saipan delegation may ask the administration to “set aside” the local bill.
In an interview on Wednesday, Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos said the administration wants to hear more from the public before the casino bill is enacted into law.
“We are beginning to look at it but we have ample time so we are trying to get maximum input,” Inos said, referring to House Local Bill 17-44.
He said the administration is “keeping an open mind” about the gambling proposal.
But they don’t want to rush it, Inos added.
He said he and Gov. Benigno R. Fitial have reviewed the controversial legislation “but we need to make sure we cover all bases.”
The Senate earlier vowed to challenge the enactment of the local casino bill, saying it is unconstitutional.
