Inos said he signed House Bill 16-243 because MVA’s ability to meet the demands of the local tourism industry would have been undermined if the furloughs pushed through.
“While MVA promotes the CNMI as a destination for tourists and engages in supporting many important community activities to promote tourism, it faced a shortfall in personnel funding such that some employees would have been laid off or faced reduced working hours of up to 48 hours biweekly beginning June 1, 2009,” said Inos.
He said the furlough will further damage the local tourism industry.
“The consequences of reduced work hours or fewer staff members on duty would have seriously jeopardized the operations of the MVA and its ability to meet the demands of the tourism industry,” he said.
“With this measure, the MVA is able to continue providing our residents and tourists visiting the islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota with the support and programs to continue promoting the Hafa Adai spirit,” he added.
H.B. 16-243 was offered by Saipan Republican Rep. Ray N. Yumul and eight other lawmakers.
The bill becomes Public Law 16-41 and is the first to be signed by Inos since he was sworn in as the CNMI’s first unelected lt. governor.
MVA Managing Director Perry Tenorio thanked Inos and lawmakers for supporting the measure.
Under the fiscal year 2009 budget, MVA gets over $1.169 million. Of this, $955,597 should go to personnel leaving a shortfall of $206,396.34.
P.L. 16-41 amends the FY 2009 budget or P.L. 16-32 so that the projected shortfall can be taken out from MVA’s marketing appropriations.
The measure was passed by the House on May 8 and by the Senate on May 18.
