Senate holds last session today

The Senate today holds its last session on Tinian before adjourning sine die to give way to the inaugural of the new Legislature next week, but the fate of the legislation appropriating over $50 million for various capital improvement projects remains hazy.

Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes is scheduled to meet early this morning with Mike Sablan, the governor’s chief financial advisor, to discuss the plan by the upper house to amend the CIP bill to allow for additional $10 million funding for Rota and Tinian.

Their discussion will decide whether the Senate can proceed with the proposed amendment during the session, Mr. Reyes told in an interview yesterday. He stressed, however, that senators may not pass the measure at all if the administration rejects the plan.

“They are not willing to act on the CIP bill unless it incorporates what they want,” he explained. “Rota and Tinian are asking for assurances that they get what is due them under the CIP master plan. They are just asking for fairness.”

The Senate, during its last session on Rota before the Christmas holiday, held off action on House Bill 11-496 appropriating the $50.8 million in CIP funds which will come from the loan secured from Bank of Guam and federal construction grants under Covenant 702 assistance.

Members from Rota and Tinian have been trying to seek another $10 million under the interim financing agreement with BOG in a bid to raise additional funds for important projects in the two island municipalities.

But administration officials, including the Commonwealth Development Authority which oversees the financing scheme that also involves a $60 million bond float, have warned the Senate against such a move as it will further delay implementation of the CIP program.

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio yesterday hinted on rejecting the plan as he mentioned that the Senate will come up with a bill in its session today that will likely be met with opposition. He refused to identify which one of the measures pending in its calendar.

According to Mr. Reyes, there is no new bill to be introduced by the Senate today and that they will only be voting on several bills passed by the House of Representatives last week.

HB 11-496, sponsored by Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider, has passed the lower house only two weeks ago after three attempts due to its failure to meet the quorum required under the Constitution.

Senate Vice President Thomas P. Villagomez earlier had expressed fear that if the Senate alter provisions, it could spell the death of the measure as it will have to go back to the House for voting on the amendment.

The third of CIP appropriations passed this year, the legislation will set aside $20.8 million to match the federal grants, while $9.2 million will be used to refinance ongoing projects.

With $41.6 million in CIP, Saipan will receive a total of $31.2 million; Rota and Tinian will each get $5.2 million.