Request for Reappropriation: Legislative Bureau Seeks Funding for Operations
In a significant move impacting the financial stability of its operations, Perry John Tenorio, the Legislative Bureau Director of the Northern Mariana Islands, has formally requested the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation (SNILD) to "disencumber" funds collected from poker and casino license fees. This plea comes in response to a troubling fiscal landscape that could hinder the Bureau’s ability to fulfill its operational obligations in the upcoming fiscal year 2025.
Context of the Request
The backdrop of Tenorio’s request stems from the absence of allocated funding for the Legislative Bureau (LB) in the fiscal year 2025 budget, with the Bureau’s operational costs previously estimated at approximately $579,295 back in fiscal year 2002. Given this historical perspective, the lack of funding in the current budget places the Bureau in a precarious position, forcing it to seek alternative financial resources.
Legislative Background
In his communication to the SNILD chairman, Rep. John Paul Sablan, Tenorio cited two pertinent local laws: Saipan Local Law 20-24 and Saipan Local Law 20-26. The former provided a $100,000 allocation from pachinko and poker fees specifically for the LB, while the latter designated $150,000 from exclusive casino license fees for operational expenses related to the Legislative Building’s generator. Notably, these allocations were outlined without any fiscal year limitations, which could provide flexibility in reallocation if necessary.
Financial Status Report
Tenorio has been proactive in substantiating his request by presenting a detailed fund status report, which he obtained from the government’s MUNIS financial system. This report indicated that there remains a balance of $59,491 from poker fee collections as specified in S.L.L. 20-24, alongside $150,000 from the $9.5 million casino license fee that Imperial Pacific International paid in 2018. This cumulative total of $209,491 is what Tenorio is requesting the SNILD to reappropriate for the operational needs of the LB in FY 2025.
Operational Challenges
Emphasizing the urgency of his request, Tenorio highlighted the stark reality faced by the Bureau—an absence of funds beyond what is allocated for personnel salaries and utility expenses. His statement illustrates the critical nature of this funding: "Essentially, we have no available funds beyond those appropriated for personnel and utilities, making it increasingly difficult to sustain operations and fulfill our obligations without the necessary financial resources."
Conclusion
The Legislative Bureau’s financial plight underscores a broader challenge in resource allocation within the Northern Mariana Islands government. As the SNILD considers Tenorio’s request for reappropriation, the implications of this decision will extend beyond just the Bureau, impacting the overall legislative operations. The outcome could set a precedent for how the government navigates financial constraints in the allocation of funds derived from such specialized fees, thereby influencing future fiscal policies and budgetary allocations.
In light of these developments, all eyes will be on the legislative delegation’s forthcoming discussions, as they hold the power to either reinforce the operational capacities of a vital governmental bureau or to complicate its functionalities further amidst an already challenging fiscal environment.
