House Bill 17-78, offered by Saipan Republican Rep. Ray N. Yumul, which was amended once in the House of Representatives and twice in the Senate, originally sought to “borrow” $4 million from MPLT to cover the payroll shortfall.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial is scheduled to meet with lawmakers from both houses of the Legislature this morning to discuss the bill.
H.B. 17-78, which was returned to the Senate, now seeks to mandate the “transfer” of $6.95 million from MPLT, the investment arm of the Department of Public Lands.
DPL generates its revenues from land leases. A portion of its income is automatically remitted to MPLT for investment purposes.
The $6.95 million loan from MPLT under the revised version of H.B. 17-78 includes $1.7 million balance for CUC, “an additional $5.25 million needed by the commonwealth,” which covers $1 million for CHC’s purchase of an MRI or CT-Scan and $250,000 to CHC for the purchase of much needed medications such as dialysis and chemotherapy drugs.
When asked where the $4 million will specifically go if the bill is enacted into law, Acting Senate President Jude U. Hofschneider, R-Tinian, said this is what they would like to clarify with administration officials.
“That is the reason why we recalled — to discuss it further,” he told the Variety.
Hofschneider said H.B. 17-78 has nothing to do with the payroll but some House lawmakers believe otherwise.
During their session, some House members, including the principal author of the bill, indicated that H.B. 17-78 had something to do with payroll.
“MPLT cannot release the funds overnight. I hope that someone is keeping track of time. Delayed paychecks mean hard times for a lot of people,” said House Minority Leader Diego T. Benavente, R-Saipan.
Yumul said the issue about the delayed payroll is putting a lot of strain on the community.
“I pray that we have a solution,” he said.
According to the revised findings of H.B. 17-78, the acting governor “informed a joint meeting of the Legislature that Article III of the CNMI Constitution permits the governor emergency powers that may permit unilateral confiscation of MPLT funds in case of government emergency, an action being actively considered by the administration were we not to act. This action would not only jeopardize the MPLT monies belonging to the CNMI but sets a standard of executive action we seek to avoid in all but the most drastic emergencies.”
