Sablan, in her letter, told House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Ray N. Yumul, R-Saipan, that the legislation is “a temporary solution that does not fully address the spectrum of the problem.”
She said the bill is “overly broad” and does not support the long-term goals of the Public School System.
“There is no focus to the bill showing exactly how the funds received are to be spent. Also, the allocation of funds indicated in the bill allows for too large of a portion to go to [the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.],” she said.
Offered by Rep. David M. Apatang, R-Saipan, the bill states that 70 percent of the funds realized from the tax rebate suspension will be appropriated to CUC to pay for the utility expenses of the CNMI government including PSS and Northern Marianas College.
Twenty percent of the funds will supplement PSS operational expenses while 10 percent will fund NMC’s operational budget including renovations and improvements of its college facilities.
Sablan finds it “troubling” that the bill requires the suspension of the relief for all persons entitled to receive rebates.
“Many people count on their tax relief checks to augment paychecks and use their checks to pay bills, buy groceries and other important tasks,” she said. “Suspension of the entire rebate will create an additional burden for the already financially strapped CNMI taxpayers.”
She said PSS commends the bill’s intent, but cannot support it in its current form.
