[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6569342,"mediaKeyId","3190233-f6ac344a6f38438160bd83c14824a475","parentId",3190233,"title","Representatives say street-light funding is in law but question CUC maintenance and accountability","audioSeconds",118,"startMs",1928000,"endMs",2046000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3190233-f6ac344a6f38438160bd83c14824a475&start=1928&end=2046","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3190233-f6ac344a6f38438160bd83c14824a475/thumbnail_1928000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6569342/Representatives-say-street-light-funding-is-in-law-but-question-CUC-maintenance-and-accountability","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569342-3f04889e8b5e56ef92e5742d3a80e332/orig.mp4?Expires=1770931545&Signature=ZXsz8Sdnams14WczXlkUFvHXNJZbUT7ro82MxuPf-EdaRFJgJtJCJ-sD8kTU0fKGTxaLSzvRAnBTrTvinRJLOoDqIi9D9KXN4XAMp6G80J9pChjWRVfhsiL-kn8mVjsSCjO0DIuecfDODK1NJssgQR4nKtuOR6VdvZsK3OgunqHpdqYpHK7B075cbJw86HusVltoGlcEQ0XGtC7Hb21DmPEJUo1hctDnuAseSA98rOYAAtoJA4glCYmfZ~OKv8YBqjnbNs0FnStuFUZ5zLi~GtW4gibHlsA8Zp5kPl6zfxquJaIdm9loBrYN~ftdac1QRDZ0lpHcjoP3-a7HMjvJ8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House - Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature","date","2025-05-05T05:33:28.467Z","article","A student visiting the House suggested a class bill to install more street lights to improve nighttime safety. Representative Vincent S. O'Don, chair of the Public Utilities and Transportation Committee, described previous proposed legislation and laid out how the street-light program is funded and administered.

“Public works actually pays CUC for street lighting,” Representative Vincent S. O'Don said, explaining the money comes from fees such as driver’s license renewal and traffic-violation fines that are routed to CUC to cover street-lighting costs. He told students the problem has been that some lights are “damaged, missing, [or] in disrepair” while CUC continues to collect the related revenues.

“Do you think as a taxpayer… somebody should be getting funding, right, but yet spend it somewhere else? No,” Representative Vincent S. O'Don said, adding, “if you’re not doing that job and you’re collecting that money, we’re going to stop you from getting that money.” He discussed the need for earmarking or setting funds aside so money for maintenance and replacement will be available when fixtures fail.

Secretary of Public Works Ray Yumu was present and the Speaker noted DPW responsibilities for paying CUC for lighting; lawmakers and students discussed solar alternatives but emphasized that solar installations still require replacement and maintenance funds. The committee chair said a bill had been entertained to provide specific funding for street lighting, and the core issue is ensuring collected fees are used for their intended purpose.

Why this matters: street-lighting coverage affects pedestrian and driver safety and municipal budgets. The discussion raised questions about utility accountability, how dedicated fees are administered, and whether the legislature should restrict transfers if maintenance does not occur.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","250505 Class Visit [2:00pm]","oneSentenceSummary","A student proposal for more street lighting prompted lawmakers to explain how street-light funding works and to question whether CUC has been spending dedicated funds on maintenance.","taxTitle","House, Northern Mariana Legislative Sessions, Northern Mariana Islands","taxId",20281,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6569344,"House members outline structure, committee roles and the budget process during student visit",256,1313000,1569000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3190233-f6ac344a6f38438160bd83c14824a475&start=1313&end=1569","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3190233-f6ac344a6f38438160bd83c14824a475/thumbnail_1313000.jpg","/articles/6569344/House-members-outline-structure-committee-roles-and-the-budget-process-during-student-visit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569344-9540a8d96382c5bf3525d381282a2c25/orig.mp4?Expires=1770931545&Signature=d70-E3wD4fUD3Wtga5fhgVcTdDFThXzoEj8aiyXBZSfyA3~MVzvu4oE-HfYBp0lSbaOGopAiT6Cx-tU6uAMnh3h5YssqeCY8pTrcbPS4QfxwVrI0Fbx9Ya2Jo7hr3dlaaZa8SJF9Q8EZRlYa~oUeZBFaVHulZKZzaIdD2VMwivC2wVuPgPrFf7DaKrfRcic7Sywh4ednH0nD4jDZBnODFVDq1p-ylIjPN8OV6PLaePBHVJUrDRrQVXD5rxce0VD8YnXsGsNLgCjuZDWhN32qhiUlqKmP77V8glEKd5uGP8Q89uHopQ6ZoXq-93tnwmhu8szFRTBa59ueQzzxAUO5tw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Speaker (name not specified), Speaker of the House, opened a public education session for students with an explanation of how the House of Representatives is organized and how money bills move through the legislature.

He said the House has 20 members apportioned by precincts, described the chamber’s officers and the committee system, and emphasized the chamber’s role on fiscal bills. “We are known as the purse,” the Speaker (name not specified) said, explaining that bills “involving money, revenue generation, or reprogramming or appropriating funds” must begin in the House.

The meeting covered precinct representation — including that Precinct 1 is the most populous and holds six seats — and the roles of key committees. Representative John Paul Sablan was identified as chair of the Ways and Means Committee and Representative Joel Camacho as chair of the Judicial and Governmental Operations Committee. The Speaker said Ways and Means handles budget and appropriations work and warned that if the legislature does not enact a budget by “October 1 midnight, the government goes to a partial shutdown.” He recalled nearly two weeks of shutdown in a previous term when a budget was not completed.

The Speaker summarized chamber roles: the Speaker manages meetings and the chamber’s operations; the vice speaker fills in when the speaker is absent; the floor leader commonly makes motions on the floor; and each member has one vote. The Speaker also described the legislative bureau and staff roles used to draft bills and advise on legal questions.

Why this matters: the House’s procedural rules and committee assignments determine which proposals progress, who can introduce money measures and what happens if lawmakers fail to enact a budget on time. Students attending the session pressed lawmakers with questions about bill limits, reintroducing legislation and which committees handle different policy areas.

The session included Q&A on whether there is a limit to the number of bills a member may introduce (there is none) and how bills may be reintroduced across terms. Lawmakers repeatedly pointed to their legal counsel as the arbiter of constitutionality and committee referral when questions arise about revenue or appropriation content.","Members of the Commonwealth Legislature’s House of Representatives described the chamber’s composition, committee responsibilities and the budget timeline — including the October 1 deadline that can trigger a partial government shutdown — during a public visit with students in Saipan.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6569330,"Lawmakers urge STEM and tech training as part of economic diversification; discuss iGaming and software development",2067,2883000,4950000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3190233-f6ac344a6f38438160bd83c14824a475&start=2883&end=4950","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3190233-f6ac344a6f38438160bd83c14824a475/thumbnail_2883000.jpg","/articles/6569330/Lawmakers-urge-STEM-and-tech-training-as-part-of-economic-diversification-discuss-iGaming-and-software-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569330-c24f2c6eeebebeb64a14d3eb3d1c0935/orig.mp4?Expires=1770931545&Signature=cF7AI-8tswgtFVEQl-1-MCDjySFKaSH0-lQ1IlZ-WeBPnZePCerx6Md8iJLKYjLH6bEwD3hLN2zTdpcjEGYHORuHjqIH9HS9zBTfH3K2MUArPTYY0evSJDKsVgEUjC1iFL5REq6qsxRMgnV0QTFxFJ3eJISFf2iNFoq3IUjJ20H1~Yttsibl9XpTmcL82y-o9oE3uWQEWb9uPnCfBD3Z1yD3mV0Shjtk5HRmw57uTRLUpiO3VAF177iGbSgU~CXmd6-tt3hl7bKj07yPeiENZeeSsor~amblVcLk8YKZQ82Bl7ffUlaS1kX4JDxpQE7vUYOCAqBtEVSa2hg~eLWxsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several representatives urged students to pursue science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields and suggested the CNMI should invest in tech and software skills to broaden the economy beyond tourism.

The floor leader, Marissa, said the Commonwealth has fallen behind on STEM and education outcomes, noting many students enter higher-level classes needing remedial support. “Number 1 is that we're very behind in terms of education. Right? STEM is our weakness,” Marissa said, and she urged youth to consider computer programming, data analysis and related skills.

In a broader business discussion, lawmakers compared traditional casino investment with evolving online gaming and software development models. Speakers noted that some jurisdictions have focused on developing iGaming and the underlying software talent, arguing local developers could supply platforms and services rather than relying solely on brick-and-mortar casinos. One participant described the shift from hardware-based gaming to online applications and said investing in developers and training could create local employment and exportable services.

Lawmakers framed this as a long-term workforce and education strategy rather than an immediate policy endorsement of any particular industry. They urged investment in training and partnerships with colleges, and encouraged students to take classes that will position them for technology-sector jobs.","Representatives told students the CNMI needs stronger STEM education and local capacity in software development. Some lawmakers discussed online gaming (iGaming) and developer-focused strategies as one possible avenue for jobs and investment, emphasizing education and workforce development rather than immediate policy changes.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6569334,"Representatives debate Article 12 protections and development trade-offs",912,3214000,4126000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3190233-f6ac344a6f38438160bd83c14824a475&start=3214&end=4126","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3190233-f6ac344a6f38438160bd83c14824a475/thumbnail_3214000.jpg","/articles/6569334/Representatives-debate-Article-12-protections-and-development-trade-offs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569334-88fb12e1141717c13b0fac8eb2ee40b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770931545&Signature=UtJLN7~sPHyp3Cz2ZyGiEX~1cZhhsaduruOVl5fSCZbzfxbcNTy02Ys5R9nGWOrAM8Lpv6~LerzqoferZckQvZ8puy-5GiFnqTh23eqrTTH2wocsk5EGfF4Y4sBgot9ydM5R6QLtw-7in2xbDdDjeohKP9~m2V-i~6QygUR44FiDicuwkR9J2~5yAowNGI-ffQwsBKUZZyfC8iPjOMTKhGAdoICToeDUFpd9inxyPXduAZ-zu5GiowUbTTJ5XCmK~-49kY~KSYWgVBwqxaryikr1jh80RoDUam8nPZvZkWFWqix0KwrKb4OBKqkuj-VXotj9MZFBumRKf8T0MzrbzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A sustained portion of the visit focused on Article 12 of the Covenant between the CNMI and the United States, which sets limits on alien ownership of land. Representatives described Article 12 as central to identity and land rights while acknowledging it shapes investment dynamics.

Representative Thomas John “TJ” Manglona told students his personal view: “My personal view, I'm fine with Article 12.” He said the policy has helped preserve land for local families, and he cautioned that changes could come at cultural cost. Other members said the provision is “very sensitive” and emphasized the need to weigh long-term identity and community rights against economic incentives.

Lawmakers and students discussed mechanisms to balance preservation with opportunity — for example, including landowners and local stakeholders in business deals, creating trusts, or structuring leases in ways that safeguard local interests while allowing investment. The floor leader (Marissa) urged students to consider not only whether Article 12 should stay but how it might be implemented so communities benefit from development without losing land ties.

Why this matters: Article 12 affects who may own or control land and shapes how large investments and leases are structured in the CNMI. Any changes would have cultural, legal and economic consequences across the islands.

No legislative change was proposed during the session; the discussion was exploratory and framed as part of a broader civic conversation that lawmakers said should continue with community input.","During a public session with students, House members discussed Article 12 of the Covenant—land-protection provisions that shape the CNMI’s approach to foreign investment and land use—and debated how to balance cultural preservation with economic development.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6569340,"Representatives discuss business closures, tourism decline and island connectivity as economic challenges",2173,2504000,4677000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3190233-f6ac344a6f38438160bd83c14824a475&start=2504&end=4677","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3190233-f6ac344a6f38438160bd83c14824a475/thumbnail_2504000.jpg","/articles/6569340/Representatives-discuss-business-closures-tourism-decline-and-island-connectivity-as-economic-challenges","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569340-44d3606a0e273a18887cf6ffaaa96377/orig.mp4?Expires=1770931545&Signature=YHGORl9zpZLpqNtBQ~6O68R1-xzWHwGD6LeYseFmSqXTo7Q9cGwoSzg2CzTNtL~u8Jk0HHHsGM7H71EierxXNxti-r7a~Rdu4f4Mi9ufMua7~RFHVHBXRjOSJS3RNKpDXzR~cTNBgFs-5MVO0Qgf~AIXAKsMwzJyNkJBBiRLTJjzyqMo8j2h1zne6nV2m66p1FZ85Oe2SY1cJNDHRmL4HZ8wCaTu3SMF9Rvk0b7vjGEmSAsafjEIuijyXBBvGcFLzO6fTnXBcag7QZxlh9BomdOetxuQmEn4Pn5q1jAhxKjrZcf9o9WrxCitGURbc~Jtdl2ifYf-aswy7ICU8jUB9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lawmakers used the student visit to discuss recent local business closures and broader economic challenges facing Saipan and the Northern Mariana Islands.

The Speaker and several representatives noted that Kensington and related operators have planned service suspensions and staff reductions, and that Duty Free and Regal Cinemas have closed locations. Representative Thomas John “TJ” Manglona, chair of the Commerce Committee, suggested reusing vacant retail space with a smaller mall or food-court-style development to serve local shoppers: “I see a mini mall. I see maybe, like, bringing in a Ross or a food court and turning that into a mini mall,” Representative Manglona said.

Representatives and students discussed connectivity between islands. The Speaker said legislators are preparing a study on ferry service and that options include drive-on/drive-off vessels for Saipan–Tinian and longer routes to Rota; the session recorded discussion that a Rota route could be an approximately eight-hour trip one way. Lawmakers said better inter-island transport could support commerce, tourism, and retain residents.

Participants also discussed migration of young people off-island and a shift toward streaming and remote entertainment that has reduced theater attendance. Representatives urged local economic diversification, developing attractions aimed at residents as well as tourists, and improving connectivity and regional partnerships with Guam.

Why this matters: business closures and reduced visitor activity affect employment and household incomes; local retail and transport strategies could influence whether residents stay, commute, or leave the islands.

No formal policy or funding decision was made during the classroom session; lawmakers encouraged students to continue proposing ideas and noted some studies and planning efforts are underway.","Lawmakers and visiting students discussed recent business closures — including department-store and theater operations — the island’s reliance on tourism and ideas to shift toward locally focused retail and improved inter-island transport, including a possible ferry study.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Representatives say street-light funding is in law but question CUC maintenance and accountability

House members outline structure, committee roles and the budget process during student visit

Lawmakers urge STEM and tech training as part of economic diversification; discuss iGaming and software development

Representatives debate Article 12 protections and development trade-offs

Representatives discuss business closures, tourism decline and island connectivity as economic challenges