Palau’s Toribiong vetoes casino bill
Thursday, 03 December 2009 00:00 By Bernadette H. Carreon - Palau Reporter
KOROR (Palau Horizon) — President Johnson Toribiong has vetoed the casino bill, describing it as a get-rich-quick scheme that will not benefit Palau.
In his transmittal letter to the Olbiil Era Kelulau, the national legislature, the president said the controversial bill was a rushed, confusing and not well-thought piece of legislation.
The measure stated that controlled gaming in Palau will diversify its tourism base and attract new investments.
Toribiong disagreed.
“It is my belief that gambling will not augment our tourist industry, but rather will detract from the very reason that people choose to vacation here,” he said.
Its proponents said the bill contains provisions to protect the people of Palau from the dangers of compulsive and addictive gambling, but Toribiong noted that it does not prohibit Palauans from gambling.
He said the bill does not even require a state to consult the people through a referendum if they are in favor of a casino.
“A state government could permit a casino to be located in its state simply by passing a law. In any event, given the size of our country, the negative effects of gambling in one state cannot be limited solely to the state,” Toribiong said.
The bill, he added, appears to favor casino operators rather than the people of Palau.
He said it does not permit sufficient time to do a background check on casino license applicants and will pay members of the gaming commission “exorbitant money.”
The president said Palau should look into the experiences of Tinian’s struggling casino which opened in 1998.
He said the casino proponents’ expectations are not realistic as Palau cannot compete with the established casino industries in Macau, Malaysia or the Philippines.
According to Toribiong, the people of Palau should decide whether they want to legalize casino gaming in their country.
Showing posts with label Veto. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Veto. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Guam First Commission
Camacho's veto overridden for Guam First Commission
By Sabrina Salas Matanane
Published Dec 23, 2008
It was clear Monday morning where lawmakers were heading as they moved legislation recently vetoed by Governor Felix Camacho into the voting file. Discussion began bill on Bill 378, which would create a Guam First Commission on the military buildup.
It marked the ninth such attempt by Democrat Rory Respicio to get this commission going. The senator said, "With all due respect to the Governor Camacho and his administration, I just can't see why he would feel offended to having a Guam First Commission, of which he is the chairman, where the Civilian Military Task Force is a technical arm to the group, where everything they've been doing so far will not be changed midstream, but actually be strengthened."
Lawmakers ultimately overrode the governor's veto by a vote of 12-3.
Related links
Bill 378
By Sabrina Salas Matanane
Published Dec 23, 2008
It was clear Monday morning where lawmakers were heading as they moved legislation recently vetoed by Governor Felix Camacho into the voting file. Discussion began bill on Bill 378, which would create a Guam First Commission on the military buildup.
It marked the ninth such attempt by Democrat Rory Respicio to get this commission going. The senator said, "With all due respect to the Governor Camacho and his administration, I just can't see why he would feel offended to having a Guam First Commission, of which he is the chairman, where the Civilian Military Task Force is a technical arm to the group, where everything they've been doing so far will not be changed midstream, but actually be strengthened."
Lawmakers ultimately overrode the governor's veto by a vote of 12-3.
Related links
Bill 378
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Senator Pass Indigenous Fishing Rights Bill
Senators pass Guthertz's fishing rights bill
By Brant McCreadie
KUAM
Published Dec 23, 2008
Senator Judi Guthertz's Bill 327 provides indigenous fishing rights, which went up for a public hearing Monday. "I am very committed to the intent of this bill and I believe it sets a program where finally indigenous fishing practices and traditions can be recognized," said the Democrat policymaker.
The vote for the bill's passage was unanimous. The new law mandates the Department of Agriculture and a fishing council made up of grassroots organizations to develop rules to allow indigenous fishermen to practice traditional forms of fishing within the preserves.
Related links
Bill 327
By Brant McCreadie
KUAM
Published Dec 23, 2008
Senator Judi Guthertz's Bill 327 provides indigenous fishing rights, which went up for a public hearing Monday. "I am very committed to the intent of this bill and I believe it sets a program where finally indigenous fishing practices and traditions can be recognized," said the Democrat policymaker.
The vote for the bill's passage was unanimous. The new law mandates the Department of Agriculture and a fishing council made up of grassroots organizations to develop rules to allow indigenous fishermen to practice traditional forms of fishing within the preserves.
Related links
Bill 327
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)