The closed-door meeting took place at around 3:30 p.m. at the governor’s office with lawmakers presenting Fitial the final draft of House Local Bill 17-44.
The measure’s author, Rep. Stanley T. Torres, said the governor read his bill and advised them “to be cautious” in pushing for the legalization of a casino through a local law.
Torres, Ind.-Saipan, said Fitial told them he would like to hear from both houses before the gambling bill is enacted into law.
Press Secretary Angel A. Demapan in a separate interview said the administration is aware that the Saipan delegation will act on H.L.B. 17-44 soon. Before it happens, he said the governor wants to make sure it is a “quality” bill.
He said it is no longer a secret that the administration supports the legalization of casino operation on Saipan.
The meeting, he said, was to discuss the latest version of the bill and listen to whatever concerns any member of the House leadership still had.
“But one thing for sure is that we’d like to see the bill move forward,” Demapan said as he expressed hope that bringing the matter to court “is not the direction to be taken.”
The Senate, which is dominated by Tinian and Rota, has threatened to question the constitutionality of the local bill.
“We also have faith in the justice system. If the matter reaches such point it has to be litigated then so we will have to wait for the response of the judiciary,” Demapan said.
He said there are many interested investors now “lining up” waiting for the casino legalization on Saipan.
This “deep interest” in a Saipan casino, he added, will “augment” the CNMI’s tourism industry.
He said the administration will make sure that these investors are legitimate.
“We welcome investments but we will look into their backgrounds and financial records,” he said.
The CNMI people, he noted, have seen prospective investors come and go.
