Borja wants excise tax relaxed

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jesse Borja promised to lift excise taxes on food items and other goods that are deemed necessities if he and his running mate, Representative Brigid Ichihara, are voted into office.

“As soon as we are in office, we will examine the excise tax law to see how we can get rid of such tax on certain items,” Mr. Borja said.

The former lieutenant governor also wants to relax excise taxes on materials and supplies used in building homes. He asserted that once excise taxes are revoked in such items and goods, people will be better positioned to buy more food and build more affordable homes.

Mr. Borja also asserted that the economy would fair better if excise taxes are lifted on certain items. In the case of business, for instance, the gubernatorial candidate stressed that companies could use the savings they get to expand and develop their enterprise.

The Democratic Party standard bearer also said he wants to establish a tax credit for companies or individuals who construct infrastructure that would benefit the CNMI.

He explained, “The expense they incur will be subject to tax deductions over the number of years it takes to recoup the expense.”

Another welcome promise to businessmen was Mr. Borja’s remark that under a Borja-Ichihara administration, a careful examination of business fees will be made.

The Democratic Party candidate asked why even in a bad economy, a company who wants to put up a hotel still needs to pay $250,000 in CRM and building fees.

“We cannot invite businesses if we have fees that are unreasonable and unnecessary,” he noted.

On the CNMI relationship with the federal government, Mr. Borja said that under his administration, the spirit of the Covenant will be steadfastly protected.

“Brigid and I will fight for all of our rights that are contained in our Covenant. We must reverse the thinking of the federal government,” Mr. Borja said.

He also promised to return the relationship of the CNMI with the United States to how it was when the Covenant was first signed — one based on mutual trust and cooperation.

For her part, Ms. Ichihara vowed to give to children all they need to obtain the knowledge and necessary skills to turn them into productive residents of the CNMI.

The Democratic Party candidate also promised that a Borja-Ichihara administration will give its all out support to the Scholarship Office and the Northern Marianas College.

The lawmaker also campaigned on the program of improving the Commonwealth’s health insurance program as well as the re-establishment of village clinics for minor health care.

The Democratic Party candidates spoke during a $50 per-plate fund-raising dinner held at the Saipan Grand Hotel. The evening was graced by local politicians and businessmen and spiced up by the Island Family Band, a local group mostly made up of Ms. Ichihara’s family.