$24M CIP projects to get Senate nod • But Rep. Reyes warns against major changes that may derail construction plans

The Senate is expected to approve today proposed amendment to the legislation appropriating more than $24 million in capital improvement projects which senators hope will win support from Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio.

House Bill 11-418 is among the measures to be taken up at the Senate session today, ending almost a month of review on the legislation considered critical by the government in dealing with the current economic difficulties on the island.

Although the proposed changes to the bill are still in the planning board, the chair of the House Ways and Means Committee yesterday cautioned senators against the move as it will further delay spending of the construction grants provided by the federal government under Covenant 702.

“If we can’t agree on how to spend the money, when are we going to get it,” asked Rep. Karl T. Reyes, author of the administration-sponsored bill.

Sen. Edward U. Maratita said last week they would insist on expenditure and reprogramming authority to be given to municipal officials on Rota and Tinian, amending the bill’s intention to restrict these functions only to the Public Works Secretary.

These provisions were among those vetoed by the governor earlier when he signed the initial CIP measure that allocated funds for the new prison project and the completion of Marianas High School gymnasium.

While unsure of the proposed amendment, Senate Vice President Thomas P. Villagomez said he would consult with the administration first before voting in favor of the plan.

“If it’s going to be too much amendment, I don’t think I’ll be ready to support that,” he said in an interview. He added that veering away from the administration’s position regarding expenditure authority will not win his vote.

The second batch of CIP allocation offered by the administration this year, HB 11-408 will set aside funds to finance priority infrastructure plans on the island — including pet projects by lawmakers — estimated to cost more than $24 million, half of which will come from the federal government.

Its passage came on the heels of a dispute on the initial CIP appropriation bill, part of which was rejected by Tenorio for fear it would compromise the integrity of the master plan.

Earlier, senators were dismayed after Tenorio line-item vetoed some of the provisions on the initial bill, leaving only the proposed prison project and the gym.

Some projects, such as the expansion of the Rota airport runway as well as improvement of the Tinian airport, that were inserted by senators at the last minute were shelved because they were not part of the master plan.

The local chief executive also vetoed granting expenditure and reprogramming authorities to municipal mayor.

Tenorio offered the supplement measure to reinstate funding for these projects in an apparent effort to please legislators, but settled with giving the expenditure authority only to public works.