Apatang creates Governor's Revenue Council

CNMI Governor David Apatang created the Governor’s Revenue Council. He said it would play a central role in the formulation of the Fiscal Year 2027 revenue forecast to be used as the basis for the next budget proposal.

In a January 15 memo, Apatang invited 11 individuals to join the council, including cabinet members, lawmakers, and private sector leaders. They are:

• Tracy B . Norita, Secretary of Finance

• Virginia Villagomez, SA-Office of Management & Budget

• Remedio C. Mafnas, Secretary of Commerce

• Leila F. Staffler, Secretary of Labor

• Epiphanio Cabrera, Office of Grants Management

• Jamika Taijeron, Exec. Director, Marianas Visitors Authority

• Derek Sasamoto, Exec. Director, Comm. Economic Development Authority

• Michael Sablan, Governors Council of Economic Advisors

• John Paul Sablan, Chairman, House Committee on Ways and Means,

• Jude U . Hofschneider, Chairman, Senate Committee on Fiscal Affairs

• Joe C. Guerrero, Saipan Chamber of Commerce

The council members are tasked with a wide range of responsibilities, including evaluating revenue and expenditure reports, business statistics, and economic data. They will also produce multiple revenue scenarios for budget formulation. They plan to hold their first meeting next week.