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House approves $960,235.74 in tobacco-settlement funds for tourism recovery
Summary
The House passed House Bill 24-96 to appropriate $960,235.74 from tobacco settlement funds to the Marianas Visitors Authority for tourism recovery initiatives. Supporters argued the money is needed to stabilize air service and visitor arrivals; the bill passed unanimously (17-0).
The House of Representatives voted to pass House Bill 24-96, appropriating $960,235.74 in tobacco settlement funds to the Marianas Visitors Authority for tourism recovery initiatives.
Supporters, including Esther Atta, executive director of the Commonwealth Ports Authority, and representatives of the Marianas Visitors Authority, told lawmakers the appropriation is needed to maintain flight connections and help a tourism-dependent economy recover. "A decrease in seat capacity or airline coming into the CNMI directly affects CPA as we depend on those airport fees for our operations," Esther Atta said, urging lawmakers to support HB 24-96 and HB 24-97.
Jamica Tyrone, representing the Marianas Visitors Authority, described how recent reductions in air service and the loss of Asiana…
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