Cabrera, R-Saipan, is the author of House Bill 17-40 which will increase business license fees from 100 to 5,900 percent according to Saipan Chamber of Commerce.
The House passed it last week.
According to Cabrera, if the Senate won’t pass the measure he will focus on revisiting old laws on taxes and fees.
Cabrera said there are current tax laws that have loopholes, thus preventing the government from generating additional revenues.
Senate President Paul A. Manglona, Ind.-Rota, has said that the Senate prefers to increase “sin” taxes instead of imposing “drastic” fee hikes on businesses.
Cabrera, however, said that except for road side vendors selling imported fruits and vegetables, the proposed increase in business license fees is “not that much. “
He said he want to increase the fees of road side vendors from $5 to $300 because supermarkets that sell the same products pay a $300 license fee.
Cabrera said he is now revisiting current laws on taxes and fees so he can come up with a better of idea helping the government generate new revenues.
