Funding to help Rota Junior Statesmen OK’d
Gov. Juan N. Babauta approved Wednesday the reappropriation of license fees of slot machines to fund various programs on Rota, including the release of funds for a Rota delegate who is set to attend the Junior Statesmen Summer Program.
In his transmittal letter to Rota Legislative Delegation chair Sen. Diego M. Songao and House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial, Babauta said the appropriation of $121,648 from local license fees for pachinko slot machines and poker machines in the First Senatorial District would help finance important projects and programs on Rota.
“These projects include several programs that provide exceptional opportunities for young people on Rota. Specifically, this measure allocates funds for Rota students participating in the Junior Statesmen of America Program and also guarantees significant funding for the Summer Job Youth Employment Program,” said Babauta.
Based on the distribution of funds, $4,000 will go to the Rota delegate to the Junior Statesmen Summer Program. The bill did not identify the funding’s recipient.
Stanford school director Christi L. Omengebar earlier said that there are 37 CNMI delegates to the summer program, with 28 coming from Saipan, eight from Tinian, and one from Rota. The program is scheduled to begin later this month, prompting participants to raise funds to finance their daily allowance, tuition, airfare and other expenses.
“These programs allow the young people of Rota to gain real world experiences that allow them to apply what they have learned from the normal curriculum provided during the school year. This will, in turn, open the door to future opportunities, both for the young people of Rota and their families,” said the governor.
He said the Department of Finance had informed him that there are sufficient funds available for this appropriation.
The bill, House Local Bill 14-23, now becomes Rota Local Law 14-2. It got the funding from the local license fees for pachinko slot machines and poker machines in the First Senatorial District.
The money would be used for the following projects: payment for hosting of the 2003 Asia/Pacific Little League Tournament; the Pacific Educational Conference, purchase of video and digital cameras, television monitor, and others for the Mayor’s Office; full payment for summer youth employment; Rota Festival prizes; among others.
