Reyes: Lobbyist needed •Senator says recent attacks highlight need for a defender

To protect CNMI interests in Washington, the island government needs to hire a lobbyist that will effectively help local leaders in blocking fresh attempts to wrestle control of labor and immigration to federal authorities, Senate Floor leader Pete P. Reyes said yesterday.

But because of the tight financial situation of the government, the island will just have to settle with “personal appearance” by local officials in Washington to meet with U.S. congressional members and staffers, he said.

“We’re between a rock and a hard place and we simply have no money to do that,” Reyes explained, “but we need to hire a lobbying firm.”

Several legislators earlier have prodded Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio to engage the services of prestigious lobbyists in Washington, such as Preston Gates which was successful in helping the CNMI fight off the federal takeover proposal in the past.

Since the Northern Marianas is reeling from its worst economic crisis in nearly 10 years, the government is finding it difficult to fund the campaign that members of the local business community considered crucial in defending its interests.

Reyes maintained the need for a lobbyist has loomed large in recent months following numerous attacks leveled against the CNMI, including the $1 billion lawsuit filed against Saipan’s garment business and the proposal to cut federal funding to the island.

“We should be paying $1 million to a lobbying firm to save $5 million of our federal funds that are now being funneled into Guam,” the senator pointed out. “We need somebody to take care of our interests in the Congress.”

In recent budget package proposed by the Clinton administration for next fiscal year, at least 51 percent from the $11 million annual assistance to the CNMI will be cut due to inability by the island government to match the funds provided under the capital improvement projects.

“We are so financially strung out that we couldn’t come up with the source of funds to meet the matching requirement for these federal money,” Reyes said, referring to the stringent condition that has made it harder for the CNMI to tap some $77 million in U.S. financial grants.

This week’s trip to Washington by the governor, Labor and Immigration Secretary Mark Zachares and presiding officers of the legislature can assist in drumming up support from the Congress for the CNMI, according to the senator.

He said that he was invited to join the team, but declined due to the cost-cutting measures implemented by the Tenorio administration, including off-island travels.

“It’s essential that we express our concerns and this personal appearance is less costly than hiring a lobbyist at this time,” Reyes added.