“The delegations of Tinian and Rota will probably wonder why I’m standing here today. I left Tinian and stayed here on Saipan because there’s no job there,” says Richard U. Hofschneider as he urged lawmakers to pass House Local Bill 17-44.
His wife, Liana, also spoke in favor of the Saipan gambling bill while urging lawmakers to also address whatever socials ills that casino gambling here may bring to the island.
Mrs. Hofschneider belives that a Saipan casino will fund medical referrals, the Retirement Fund and the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.
Former Department of Public Works Secretary John “Liling” Reyes said “times have changed.”
He said he knows that passing the gambling measure is a tough decision for the delegation to make.
“But you are elected to make tough decisions,” said Reyes, a former House member.
He said the Retirement Fund “is going to go belly up soon.”
Opening a casino on Saipan, he added, is the only way to generate new revenue for the government.
He said so far, he has not heard of any other proposal that can help save the CNMI economy.
Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council Chairman Ray Blas Camacho said he is doing all his best to promote agriculture but other than that, he does not see any other industry that can help alleviate the people’s “sufferings.”
He still believes in the potential of agriculture, but right now, there is just “no juice to squeeze, but casino can back it up.”
Former Speaker Pedro R. Guerrero challenged those who are against the measure to come up with another solution to the government’s financial problems.
If nothing is done now, he added, “there will be over 3,000 families who will be hungry and there will be riots in the streets.”
Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos talked to the Saipan lawmakers before yesterday’s session to discuss the administration’s concerns regarding the latest draft of H.L.B. 17-44.
He told reporters that the delegation will have to address some of the issues “we have shared with them.”
The administration supports the legalization of casinos on Saipan.
“But there are few key issues in the bill that I think need further review,” Inos said.
These include the number of licensees, the amount of investment required and the criteria for casino investors.
There was also a proposal to give the gambling commission the authority and flexibility to make decisions instead of setting down specific rules in the gambling law.
“It is both the administration and the members who have concerns over some of the provisions. It is a matter of making sure that everyone is on the same page,” Inos said.
After hearing the comments from the public in the gallery, the delegation’s acting chairman, Rep. Joseph M. Palacios, R-Saipan, called for a recess until 10 a.m. today, Friday. The House session was moved to 2 p.m.
