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Rota resident urges passage of retirement bill, asks tobacco fund amendment to assist medical referrals
Summary
During public comment at the Rota budget hearing, resident Rodney Taisken urged support for Senate Bill 24‑1 on retirement benefits and asked lawmakers to amend Public Law 13‑37 so a portion of the tobacco fund helps medical referrals for Rota and Tinian patients.
During the Senate Fiscal Affairs Committee's public comment period in Rota, Rodney Taisken addressed senators and asked for support on two items: a retirement proposal and a change to the tobacco‑settlement fund distribution.
Taisken spoke in support of "Senate Bill 24‑1" related to retirement, saying it would "help reduce our budget" and enable people to retire. He also urged that the committee consider public outreach to educate government employees about retirement benefits.
Taisken then asked lawmakers to revisit Public Law 13‑37 (the tobacco fund law). He said that under current law a large share (he referenced 40%) goes to CHCC and other divisions and asked that the committee consider reducing that 40% and dedicating at least 15% to medical referrals for patients from Rota — particularly for cancer and other cases that require off‑island care. "It's very hard for the family, most especially going off island," he said, asking that the law be amended so the referral program can better help patients who must travel for care.
The senator chair acknowledged the request and said the committee would announce public outreach opportunities concerning the listed budget items.
