Subpoenas issued for CNMI's BOOST program

Over in the CNMI, House lawmakers issuing two sets of subpoenas for those involved in the islands' "BOOST" program meant to assist local businesses and non-profits. But some say its boost to campaigns ahead of the runoff election Friday.

Rep. Tina Sablan said, "I really do not blame anyone who applies for these grants. I get it. It looks like vote buying especially with the timing and especially with the lack of transparency and the apparent lack of fairness about who gets an award and how much they get."

Lawmakers in a joint session of the Ways and Means and Judiciary and Governmental Operations committees issuing subpoenas to the Secretary of Finance, Commerce, Bank of Saipan, Bank of Guam, and Governor's office for detailed information about the BOOST program which stands for  "Building Optimism, Opportunity, and Stability Together." It provides financial assistance to local businesses and non profits through grants. The total pool of funds is around $10 million. 

Rep. Ed Propst said, "Again, here we are issuing subpoenas because Ralph Torres is unwilling to come forward and give us the information we requested. It is straight up up to him."

Days before the gubernatorial run-off election, Democrats are not pulling any punches while Republicans Gov. Ralph Torres and members of his cabinet deny allegations of political motivations behind the program. Lawmakers also voting to issue separate subpoenas to compel the testimony of the leadership of some of the agencies involved in BOOST to answer questions mid-December.

KUAM spoke with Sec. of Finance David Atalig on Sunday who says they're working on gathering the information, who said, "This whole program was designed to help our small businesses. The idea stemmed and started ever since we got the ARPA funds."

The total pool of funds for the program is around $10 million of federal funds.