“Extraordinary measures are needed during extraordinary times. Now is the time to come together and support passage of this alternative solution,” Ramon B. Camacho, the council chairman, said.
The status quo offers only miseries, suffering and more troubles in paradise, he added.
Camacho submitted the council’s testimony on House Local Bill 17-44 to Rep. Joseph M. Palacios, R-Saipan and chairman of the delegation’s Judiciary and Governmental Operations Committee, and Rep. Ray N. Yumul, R-Saipan, and delegation Ways and Means chairman.
He said that the people of Saipan had twice rejected the casino proposal in the past but that was when Saipan did not really need the extra revenue from it.
The island economy before was strong without casino even though other gambling operations such as bingo, cockfight, poker, deck games and golf course betting already existed, he said.
“Today, the economic landscape has changed. It is no longer what it once was or used to be in the golden days,” Camacho said.
The council, however, proposed some amendments to the Saipan casino bill’s budget process, procedure and resource allocation provisions.
Camacho said like the delegation, the municipal council should be included in the budget process, procedure and allocation.
He also suggested that the main campus of Northern Marianas College be allocated a percentage of the casino revenue.
Further, he said the mayors of the Northern Islands and Saipan should be allowed to appoint or recommend casino commission members.
The mayors’ nominees should be subject to the delegation’s confirmation, he added.
“Not only is this suggested procedure in conformance with current standard practice on Tinian and Rota, but this procedure also expedites resolution of issues that would remain pending otherwise,” Camacho said.
He added, “It is more convenient and expeditious for a three-member council to work with and resolve issues compared to a 18-member House and three-member Senate, for a total of 21 delegates to contend with, each with varying priorities, projects interests and individual projects, as opposed to strictly addressing quality of life issues holistically within the municipality and the community by the three-member council.”
