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Tinian delegation recalls $368,555 appropriation bill
The Tinian and Aguiguan Legislative Delegation recalled yesterday an appropriation bill for further amendment.
The delegation, led by vice chair Sen. Francisco Cruz (R-Tinian), recalled and amended Rep. Edwin Aldan’s (R-Tinian) House Local Bill 20-71 yesterday.
The bill seeks to re-appropriate $368,555 of the $1.7 million reimbursement to Tinian for the payment of obligations previously owed by the central government under Public Law 7-31. The delegation previously unanimously supported the bill.
P.L. 7-31 previously raised the salaries of government employees; however, the previous Legislature failed to first identify funds for the raise, causing the delegations for Saipan and Tinian to lend delegation funds to the central government to satisfy the requirement.
Aldan’s H.L.B. 20-71 proposes to use the funds for the Tinian Mayor’s Office “personnel operations.”
In an interview, Aldan thought “personnel operations” was too ambiguous and might be vetoed by Gov. Ralph DLG Torres when it gets to his desk.
The delegation recalled and then amended the bill to specify that the funding would be for the Tinian Mayor’s Office hiring of at least 15 community workers.
The delegation approved the amendment of Aldan and ultimately passed the bill unanimously.
