Flashback June 25, 1999-2002

[B]June 25, 1999

House okays $60 million bond float[/B]

The House of Representatives yesterday set in motion an ambitious plan by the government to float some $60 million worth of bonds which proceeds will be used to match remaining federal construction grants under the Capital Improvement Projects. House Bill 11-435 passed the House during its day-long session, allowing the Commonwealth Development Authority to enter into an interim financing of up to $30 million from any banking institution, the first step toward the proposed bond flotation.

[B]Bill on local bidder first pushed again[/B]

A controversial bill giving preference to local bidders on government contracts that was earlier vetoed by Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio now heads back again to his office after the House of Representatives passed the measure yesterday. Lawmakers underscored its multiplier effect on the local economy, saying the government stands to gain from taxes and other revenues being collected from locally-based contractors as opposed to foreign construction firms.

[B]CPA cautious on assuming MRC’s Outer Cove Marina[/B]

The Commonwealth Ports Authority management would have to determine first whether the Seaport Division is capable of assuming about $3 million in liability of the Marine Revitalization Corp. before making any decision on the proposal to take over the operations of the Outer Cove Marina. According to CPA legal counsel Jose S. Dela Cruz, the ports authority’s financial capability to service the loan of MRC from the projected revenues of the marina can only be determined after a thorough analysis.

[B]June 25, 2001[/B] [B]Time running out for 50%+1[/B]

Time is running out for a proposal to hold a run-off election in case the elected governor and Washington representative failed to garner 50 percent plus one vote, with only 133 days left before the November polls. A key legislative leader admitted Friday that time constraints make it impossible to pass legislation that would institute the run-off election process, in the absence of majority vote for the elected governor and the Washington representative.

[B]Poachers steal turtle eggs in Managaha[/B]

The Division of Fish and Wildlife on Friday disclosed that turtle eggs laid in Managaha Island have either been destroyed or stolen by poachers. “A real fisher knows that between April to August each year, sea turtles come up to lay their eggs here on some of our beaches,” said a media statement from the CNMI Division of Fish and Wildlife.

[B]Falcam upbeat on new Compact with the US[/B]

President Leo Amy Falcam of the Federated States of Micronesia yesterday expressed confidence that, despite the hardline stance being taken by both sides in the renegotiation for the expiring provisions of the Compact of Free Association with the United States, a new agreement will be ironed out soon that would be agreeable to both sides.

[B]June 25, 2002

US secures Saipan airport [/B]

The Saipan International Airport has been included in the first batch of 23 air transport facilities across the United States whose security programs will be placed under federal control. An assessment team from the U.S. Department of Transportation arrived on Saipan over the weekend to conduct an on-site inspection of both the Saipan International Airport and the West Tinian International Airport.

[B]’We asked for extension, not opposition'[/B]

Contrary to the position that got submitted to the Federal Communications Commission, the Senate Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation and Communication was actually asking the commission to extend the deadline for the submission of comments on the sale of Verizon to the Pacific Telecom consortium. Committee member Sen. Ramon S. Guerrero pointed this out, even as he questioned the authenticity of a House of Representative’s communication to the FCC, which was nearly identical to the position paper that the PUTC committee had submitted to the commission.