Sen. Jude Hofschenider (R-Tinian) said he would be focusing more on the needs of the CNMI\u2019s Judicial Branch when his committee begins meeting with various government, agencies, departments, and divisions for the fiscal year 2018 budget hearing.<\/p>\n
The CNMI Superior Court, Supreme Court, Drug Court, Law Revision Commission, and the Judiciary Administrative Office are the agencies under the Judiciary.<\/p>\n
Hofschneider is the chair of the Senate Committee on Fiscal Affairs that\u2019s tasked to review all the finances and financial administration of the CNMI government.<\/p>\n
He said that he would first meet with House Ways and Means committee head Rep. Angel A. Demapan (R-Saipan) to begin their deliberations on Gov. Ralph DLG Torres\u2019 budget proposal for fiscal year 2018.<\/p>\n
\u201cFirst, I need to meet with [Rep. Demapan]. We need to discuss each of the points raised on the governor\u2019s budget for the coming fiscal year. We have to digest and scrutinize the proposal,\u201d Hofschneider told Saipan Tribune in an interview yesterday.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why the Tinian lawmaker wanted to pay close attention to the Judiciary\u2019s budget since the third co-equal branch of the government\u2019s needs and activities are expected to increase in the coming fiscal year.<\/p>\n
The CNMI Drug Court, which is under the jurisdiction of the CNMI Superior Court, is expected to hire additional personnel for its operations.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn the Senate\u2019s side, the Judiciary\u2019s budget request is what I want to pay close attention to. The Drug Court has stated its operations since it was established a few years ago and they would be needing [full time equivalents] to fill job positions,\u201d added Hofschneider.<\/p>\n
The CNMI Drug Court was created through Public Law 19-14 that was signed by then acting governor Torres on Oct. 28, 2015. Superior Court Associate Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio was designated as the Drug Court judge.<\/p>\n
The Drug Court is a specialized court that incorporates drug dependency treatment with judicial supervisions for both adult and juvenile defendants. The court would provide rehabilitation for drug dependents while at the same time protecting the community.<\/p>\n
The CNMI Drug Court currently employs TaAnn Kabua (caseload coordinator), Jaclyn T. Mendiola, Jane P. McCale (certified caseworkers), and Matilde Bermudes (probation officer).<\/p>\n
Hofschneider said the Judiciary is requesting at least an additional $2 million with most of it on the expected increase in their operations especially on the needs of the Drug Court, which goes together with the Torres administration\u2019s anti drug campaign.<\/p>\n
Yvette Sablan was appointed by Torres as the Governor\u2019s Office\u2019s special assistant for Drug Abuse and Rehabilitation Program, where she\u2019s tasked to coordinate and collaborate with the CNMI Drug Court on how to serve individuals who chose to get treatment of their drug dependency.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is important to also note about the governor\u2019s initiative in battling the substance abuse situation in the CNMI. This is one big issue and what we\u2019ve been dealing right now in the CNMI,\u201d said Hofschneider.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Drug Court is basically dealing with the same issue so we need to get a grasp on how the current structure right now is working. How would the structure would work hand-in-hand [Drug Court and Sablan\u2019s office] to effectively address the problem.\u201d<\/p>\n
Last year, the Legislature gave the Special Assistant for Drug Abuse and Rehabilitation Program $1 million in funding as stated on chapter 3, section 302(c) of Public Law 19-75, a supplemental budget.<\/p>\n
Hofschneider said that they would also look into the needs of other divisions of the Judiciary. He added that for years the Legislature allocates funds on what they think they would be needing for the whole fiscal year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe [Judiciary] is asking for more budget at least an additional $2 million based on their request. Now, the Senate would at least, want to take a closer look on their request and consider, if not all, some of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Torres is proposing $5,981,195 for the Judiciary\u2019s budget that would cover their daily operations, salaries of personnel, and utilities. In FY 2017, $5,975,369 was the approved budget for the Judicial branch with the Drug Court getting $361,266. Torres\u2019 substance abuse and rehabilitation program is allocated $600,000.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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