THE Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation on Friday unanimously passed House Local Bill 22-41, which would appropriate a total of $2.644 million in poker fees for various projects and programs on Saipan.
All the 14 members present voted to pass H.L.B 22-41, which now goes to the desk of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres.
Rep. Celina Babauta, Rep. Joel Camacho, Rep. Denita Yangetmai, Rep. Richard Lizama, Rep. Roy Ada, Senate Vice President Justo Quitugua and House Floor Leader Ralph Yumul were excused.
Introduced by Vice Speaker Blas Jonathan Attao, H.L.B. 22-41 proposes to allot the following:
• $2 million for the Saipan Higher Education Financial Assistance program provided that $250,000 of the $2 million shall be reserved for SHEFA personnel and operations, and the expenditure authority shall be the SHEFA board chairperson in concurrence with the SHEFA board.
• The sum of $644,000 shall be allocated as follows: $150,000 for the Saipan Mayor’s Office personnel and/or operations; $40,000 for the Northern Islands Mayor’s Office personnel and/or operations; $54,000 for the Center for Living Independently for the purchase of a vehicle, insurance, fuel and lubricants; $200,000 for the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation; $75,000 for the Saipan Zoning Office; and 25,000 for the Saipan Little League Baseball.
Attao said the $200,000 for the Saipan delegation is considered “not lapsed” monies that will have to be “exhausted” by the end of the 22nd Legislature’s term. But if the funds are not “exhausted,” they will be go back into the Third Senatorial District “pot” and can be appropriated by the next Legislature.
Blas Jonathan Attao
