Latest news with #Propst
Scoop
6 hours ago
- Business
- Scoop
Call For CNMI Leaders To Fight Back On High Airfares
Article – RNZ The former representative shared his frustration after attempting to book a four-day roundtrip ticket from Guam to Saipan. Mark Rabago, RNZ Pacific Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas correspondent Former Northern Mariana Islands lawmaker Edwin K. Propst taken to social media to urge leaders to 'go to war' with United Airlines over what he claims are exorbitant airfares between Saipan and Guam. The call to action comes amid renewed efforts to reinstate the Essential Air Service program in the CNMI and push for a cabotage exemption. 'Attention all leaders of the Marianas in the public and private sector, it is time to go to war with this airline,' Propst wrote. The former representative, who now works at the CNMI broadband policy and development office, shared his frustration after attempting to book a four-day roundtrip ticket from Guam to Saipan in June – to find the lowest available fare was US$767. 'For a 25-minute flight?! 'They have just made record-breaking profits and instead of rewarding their customers, they increase their prices.' Propst called the airfares 'devastating' to the local economy and tourism. The CNMI is currently seeking exemption from federal cabotage restrictions, which bar foreign airlines from operating domestic routes between US territories such as Guam and the CNMI. Governor Arnold Palacios mentioned this effort during his State of the Commonwealth Address, saying he had 'actively advocated for potential cabotage waiver [and] essential air services' in recent talks with federal agencies and congressional leaders. Palacios emphasized the importance of improved regional connectivity to support the CNMI's tourism-dependent economy. Senate public utilities, transportation and communications committee chair, Senator Jude Hofschneider called Propst's complaints a 'sad reality of economic times,' adding that United's pricing is 'likely a business decision by the air carrier'. Still, Hofschneider said the moment calls for greater support of Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds' bill introduced in April to requalify CNMI airports for the Essential Air Service (EAS) program. If passed, the measure would allow federal subsidies to fund daily round-trip flights even if commercial carriers withdraw service. A quote from CWM Travel International showed a Saipan-Guam roundtrip departing 8 June 8 and returning 12 June costing $420 – significantly cheaper than Propst's booking but still high for an inter-island flight. The EAS program, created in 1978 and stripped from CNMI eligibility in 2012, was intended to preserve air access for small US communities. King-Hinds' bill seeks to restore eligibility to Saipan, Tinian, and Rota by placing CNMI alongside Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico in exemption status.
Scoop
8 hours ago
- Business
- Scoop
Call For CNMI Leaders To Fight Back On High Airfares
The former representative shared his frustration after attempting to book a four-day roundtrip ticket from Guam to Saipan., RNZ Pacific Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas correspondent Former Northern Mariana Islands lawmaker Edwin K. Propst taken to social media to urge leaders to 'go to war' with United Airlines over what he claims are exorbitant airfares between Saipan and Guam. The call to action comes amid renewed efforts to reinstate the Essential Air Service program in the CNMI and push for a cabotage exemption. 'Attention all leaders of the Marianas in the public and private sector, it is time to go to war with this airline,' Propst wrote. The former representative, who now works at the CNMI broadband policy and development office, shared his frustration after attempting to book a four-day roundtrip ticket from Guam to Saipan in June – to find the lowest available fare was US$767. 'For a 25-minute flight?! 'They have just made record-breaking profits and instead of rewarding their customers, they increase their prices.' Propst called the airfares 'devastating' to the local economy and tourism. The CNMI is currently seeking exemption from federal cabotage restrictions, which bar foreign airlines from operating domestic routes between US territories such as Guam and the CNMI. Governor Arnold Palacios mentioned this effort during his State of the Commonwealth Address, saying he had 'actively advocated for potential cabotage waiver [and] essential air services' in recent talks with federal agencies and congressional leaders. Palacios emphasized the importance of improved regional connectivity to support the CNMI's tourism-dependent economy. Senate public utilities, transportation and communications committee chair, Senator Jude Hofschneider called Propst's complaints a 'sad reality of economic times,' adding that United's pricing is 'likely a business decision by the air carrier'. Still, Hofschneider said the moment calls for greater support of Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds' bill introduced in April to requalify CNMI airports for the Essential Air Service (EAS) program. If passed, the measure would allow federal subsidies to fund daily round-trip flights even if commercial carriers withdraw service. A quote from CWM Travel International showed a Saipan-Guam roundtrip departing 8 June 8 and returning 12 June costing $420 – significantly cheaper than Propst's booking but still high for an inter-island flight. The EAS program, created in 1978 and stripped from CNMI eligibility in 2012, was intended to preserve air access for small US communities. King-Hinds' bill seeks to restore eligibility to Saipan, Tinian, and Rota by placing CNMI alongside Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico in exemption status.
Scoop
11 hours ago
- Business
- Scoop
Call For CNMI Leaders To Fight Back On High Airfares
, RNZ Pacific Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas correspondent Former Northern Mariana Islands lawmaker Edwin K. Propst taken to social media to urge leaders to "go to war" with United Airlines over what he claims are exorbitant airfares between Saipan and Guam. The call to action comes amid renewed efforts to reinstate the Essential Air Service program in the CNMI and push for a cabotage exemption. "Attention all leaders of the Marianas in the public and private sector, it is time to go to war with this airline," Propst wrote. The former representative, who now works at the CNMI broadband policy and development office, shared his frustration after attempting to book a four-day roundtrip ticket from Guam to Saipan in June - to find the lowest available fare was US$767. "For a 25-minute flight?! "They have just made record-breaking profits and instead of rewarding their customers, they increase their prices." Propst called the airfares "devastating" to the local economy and tourism. The CNMI is currently seeking exemption from federal cabotage restrictions, which bar foreign airlines from operating domestic routes between US territories such as Guam and the CNMI. Governor Arnold Palacios mentioned this effort during his State of the Commonwealth Address, saying he had "actively advocated for potential cabotage waiver [and] essential air services" in recent talks with federal agencies and congressional leaders. Palacios emphasized the importance of improved regional connectivity to support the CNMI's tourism-dependent economy. Senate public utilities, transportation and communications committee chair, Senator Jude Hofschneider called Propst's complaints a "sad reality of economic times," adding that United's pricing is "likely a business decision by the air carrier". Still, Hofschneider said the moment calls for greater support of Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds' bill introduced in April to requalify CNMI airports for the Essential Air Service (EAS) program. If passed, the measure would allow federal subsidies to fund daily round-trip flights even if commercial carriers withdraw service. A quote from CWM Travel International showed a Saipan-Guam roundtrip departing 8 June 8 and returning 12 June costing $420 - significantly cheaper than Propst's booking but still high for an inter-island flight. The EAS program, created in 1978 and stripped from CNMI eligibility in 2012, was intended to preserve air access for small US communities. King-Hinds' bill seeks to restore eligibility to Saipan, Tinian, and Rota by placing CNMI alongside Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico in exemption status.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
With billions on the line, New NM federal funding legislative subcommittee meets for the first time
New Mexico ranks first among U.S. states for its share of federal dollars, with billions at risk pending Congress' budget decisions (Photos by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom and Danielle Prokop/Source NM) Members of the recently created Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee met for the first time Wednesday for briefings on how federal funding is funneled into New Mexico and how current and future cuts might impact the state The subcommittee formed in response to the loss of funds and threats of cuts from the Trump administration to programs that affect state residents, including Medicaid, federal nutrition programs and programs run by the various state agencies. Lawmakers started with an overall look at where federal funding is allocated throughout the state. New Mexico Department of Finance Secretary Wayne Propst explained to the committee that according to a Federal Funds Information for States report released last week, New Mexico is the top state receiving federal funds. The report is based on data from fiscal year 2023. 'The study confirmed that New Mexico is number one in terms of federal funding coming into the state,' Propst said. 'For every $1 in taxes that we send to the federal government, we receive approximately $3.21 back in New Mexico. That includes those direct payments, but it also includes the funding for our military bases, our national labs and other items.' He said the state's overall budget for Fiscal Year 2026 is $33.16 billion, with 43.5%, $14.44 billion, funded by federal money. The Health Care Authority receives the most federal money — more than $11 million, which makes up about 74% of its annual budget this fiscal year. Propst also noted that if Congress ends up passing the budget bill — which made its way out of the U.S. House of Representatives last week and will now be considered by the Senate — New Mexico will see impacts to Medicaid; a $290 billion reduction in funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; and a reduction in the federal oil and gas royalty rate from 16.67% to 12.5%. NM reps say GOP bill will gut Medicaid and also reduce oil money that could help state save it Eric Chenier, principal analyst for the Legislative Finance Committee, further broke down federal funding by state agencies, including the Early Childhood Education and Care Department, Higher Education Department, Department of Transportation and Department of Health. Chenier noted that as of May, the University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University and New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology reported losing $36 million, $27.2 million and $2.5 million in federal grant revenue respectively. Legislative Education Finance Committee Director John Sena delved into how federal funds are used for public education in New Mexico. He explained that the state is aware of several areas that have lost federal funding, including $12.3 million for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, which was awarded to the state during the COVID-19 pandemic; $5.1 million for the Teacher Quality Partnership Program, which funded residency programs and mentoring for 68 people; and $5 million for school-based mental health services, which supported programs in Silver City and the Central Region Educational Cooperative and puts 18 positions at risk. AG Torrez joins lawsuit over federal education funds Sen. Bill Soules (D-Las Cruces), co-chair of the subcommittee, added that he wants to see flexibility from the group as more changes are announced from the Trump administration. 'There are going to be things that come up that we haven't thought about. For instance, we're getting into fire season and lots of the fire response often comes from the federal government. That's somewhat more in question now. Is the state going to be responsible to uphold all of those? That could be a major budget area,' Soules said. 'There also, I think, are areas where already we're seeing some of our small businesses, because of tariffs, are closing down, pulling back, have lower amounts and stuff, which means that's less revenue coming in on the state level as those businesses close or have to lay off workers or things of that sort.' The next subcommittee meeting is scheduled for July 1 and 2 in Santa Fe. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
After shooting, Florida State students demand gun reform at Florida Capitol
A group of Florida State University students walked to the center of the Florida Capitol and said Florida lawmakers' support of policies that have normalized gun violence make them complicit in the Sunshine State's mass shootings. Among the four students standing in the rotunda April 22 between the House and Senate chambers were two who had huddled in a barricaded classroom while a gunman roamed the Florida State University campus April 17, killing two and wounding six. The quartet of 19- and 20-year-olds, accompanied by House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell of Tampa, expressed disgust that leading lawmakers have remained silent about gun control since the shooting. 'All we got was Gov. DeSantis releasing a single Twitter video. Not even a written statement. This disconnect between what happened and the governing majority's blanket of silence is just disgusting,' said Simon Monteleone, a 19-year-old from Cape Coral. Monteleone, known for campus activism, and others called the ruling Republican supermajority's advancement of bills this year to make firearms more accessible deplorable and issued a general pleading for others to stand with them. More: After FSU shooting, outrage erupts over Florida Legislature's inaction on gun regulations The FSU shooting was the sixth mass shooting in Florida this year, and the fourth Florida school shooting since 2012, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Nineteen-year-old Madalyn Propst of Orlando was in the first grade then. She said she and a younger brother have experienced a school lockdown every year since. Propst said a mass shooting becomes a political issue when public policy fails to stop preventable deaths. 'Because of poor policy at the hands of legislators, there are two people who are dead who shouldn't be, six people in the hospital who shouldn't be, and thousands of students who no longer feel safe on campus,' Propst said. Senate President Ben Albritton visited the FSU campus Monday and has been in communication with school officials since the shooting, his spokesperson said. "Certainly the Senate is continuing to monitor any developments as the investigation continues," Deputy Chief of Staff Katherine Betta said. Requests for comment are pending with Gov. Ron DeSantis and House Speaker Daniel Perez. Propst is president of the FSU chapter of College Democrats. She was joined by Andres Perez, the FSU chapter president of gun control group Students Demand Action; Natanel Mizrahi, a senior from Sarasota, and Monteleone, a freshman. Their news conference at the Capitol was sponsored by House Democrats; Capitol rules require outside groups to have a government-affiliated sponsor for an event. Propst said Driskell reached out to students after the shooting, asked if they had the emotional bandwidth to suggest policy solutions, and met in private with the group. Driskell said Florida's 'priorities are just totally messed up' because they undermine safety and don't protect young people. 'If we're not looking at common sense gun reform like safe storage, red flag laws and universal background checks, then really what are we doing here?' Driskell said. Florida House Democrats have sponsored a half-dozen proposals this year to tighten gun regulations, but none have had a hearing. Their efforts to stymie GOP attempts to loosen restrictions have been unsuccessful. The GOP has more than a 2–1 advantage in the House. Students say they testified to maintain a minimum age of 21 for firearms purchases, or against a sales tax holiday for guns and ammunition, but have felt patronized and ignored by lawmakers. 'They ignore younger voices because we are not their constituents. We are not where their money comes from. We're not where the majority of their votes come from. It's very frustrating,' Monteleone said. Last month, Perez testified before the House Judiciary Committee against the repeal of a minimum age for the purchase of guns enacted after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre. The measure passed out of committee, cleared the House on a party line vote, and now awaits Senate action. 'I don't know how many tragedies it's going to take for people to wake up and realize this is a real problem. If they can hear me, I hope people will please, please (stand) with us,' Perez said. The students have a five-point plan to reduce gun violence and improve school safety. They want legislation to: Require lockable doors on all university classrooms. Mandate active shooter response training for professors and teaching assistants. Increase funding for mental health intervention. Mandate stricter safe storage laws of firearms in households with minors and individuals who cannot legally obtain firearms. Stop passage of legislation that weakens gun safety laws. 'The time for thoughts and prayers has passed. It is time for policy changes because while thoughts and prayers can put Band-Aids over a bullet wound, they will do nothing to stop the next bullet,' Propst said. James Call is a member of the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jcall@ and is on X as @CallTallahassee. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Students call out Florida GOP silence after FSU mass shooting
