Kilili to Fitial: I’m working to help CNMI get more US funding

Delegate Gregorio Kilili Sablan (Ind-MP) told Gov. Benigno R. Fitial that he has been constantly working to obtain state minimum funding for the CNMI under a wide range of federal programs already available to the CNMI, and inclusion in programs not yet open to the Commonwealth.

Sablan was responding to Fitial’s earlier request for the delegate to “aggressively work” on introducing legislation that would allow for the CNMI to benefit from federal programs that the CNMI has been excluded from, and for the CNMI’s inclusion in future assistance opportunities that will be made available.

The governor brought to Sablan’s attention on Oct. 6 that the CNMI is excluded from a $2.7 million federal assistance to each of the states through the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training initiative.

Sablan, in a Nov. 10 response letter, said the CNMI, as well as American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, is eligible for these initiative grants contrary to earlier information from the U.S. Department of Labor and the Congressional Research Service.

The delegate said both Northern Marianas College and Eucon International College are such accredited institutions eligible to apply for the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training initiative.

Sablan said this program is highly competitive. Of 260 applicant institutions or consortia, only 32 were awarded grants in September.

“There will be follow-up rounds, however, beginning early next year; and I would certainly look forward to Northern Marianas applicants,” Sablan told Fitial in his letter, a copy of which was obtained yesterday.

Fitial had said that the CNMI cannot afford to be left behind while other states and territories enjoy the benefits of available federal assistance programs.

Sablan said it is “not a unique situation” wherein the CNMI and three other smaller U.S. insular areas do not qualify for a funding base of $2.5 million each under the TAACCCT initiative.

He said with the insular areas’ small populations, it can be challenging for these areas to justify a state share of funding.

“Nevertheless, I am constantly working to obtain state minimum funding under a wide range of federal programs already available to the Marianas and to be included in programs not yet open to us,” said Sablan.

He cited success in winning a full state share of Family Violence Prevention and Services Act funding in December, as well as in qualifying the CNMI and other insular areas for the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act grant program. Sablan said he’s also working to bring to the floor again a bill passed by the last Congress that will ensure the CNMI gets a full state share of funding under the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant program.

Sablan said in additional to these efforts to catch up for many years the CNMI people were not represented in their national government, a large part of his work over the last 34 months has been to ensure that the CNMI is included in new and expanding programs.

He said he ensured that the CNMI is included in new and expanding programs such as $120 million for the CNMI under the American Recover and Reinvestment Act grants, and in making sure that the CNMI has access to an additional $100 million in Medicaid grants through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Sablan said he also ensured that the CNMI receive $10 million in new funding for sewer and water projects from expansions of the Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water funds.

“In addition, Pell grants for Northern Marianas students will jump by $4 million over the next 10 years and funding for Northern Marianas College by $7.5 million over the next five years, and 798 teachers and support staff at the Public School System were kept working with EduJobs Act funds-all because of legislation on which I was an original co-sponsor and in which I made sure the Commonwealth was included,” he said.

Food stamp

Sablan reiterated his request to Fitial to agree to the CNMI’s inclusion in the national food stamp program or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

The delegate said the program would pump between $12 million and $24 million of federal funds into the CNMI economy, increase tax contributions to the general fund, and substantially improve food availability for many hungry families.

“I remain hopeful that you will join me in this effort,” he said.

The Fitial administration, through the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, has been opposed to the CNMI’s inclusion in the national food stamp program, citing the requirement of sharing one-half of the administrative costs.