Teno welcomes House decision on Heinz

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio yesterday welcomed the selection of Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider as speaker of the House of Representatives when the 12th Legislature convenes in January, saying his administration is ready to work with its members.

He said that he will respect the decision of his fellow Republicans who still hold the majority in both houses as to their choices of leaders for the next two years.

“If that is the decision of the majority, there is no doubt that we will be able to work very closely with the Legislature,” the governor said in an interview.

Mr. Tenorio, however, declined to comment on the economic platform laid out by Mr. Hofschneider, which will call for tax relief for tourist-related businesses as well as reduction in fees and charges imposed by the government on the private sector.

The five-time elected representative from Precinct 3 on Saipan won unanimous support of the Republicans during a part caucus held the other day, in which they also chose chairmanship to five standing House committees.

Mr. Hofschneider, who had been waiting in line for the House’s highest post over the last two years, pledged to work closely with all the members of the 18-seat chamber, including 12 GOPs, five Democrats and one independent who were elected in the Nov. 6 polls.

Outgoing Speaker Diego T. Benavente also expressed confidence that lawmakers will maintain their good working relationship with the Tenorio administration despite the change in the House leadership.

He pointed out that while economic revitalization tops the agenda of the 12th Legislature, members will continue to work toward strengthening bilateral relations with Washington.

“There has to be a united position by the Legislature and the administration in our efforts to better our relations with the federal government,” he said in a separate interview.

Mr. Benavente, who will assume the position of vice speaker, vowed to help the House leadership “to make sure that this unity remains.”

Among the federal issues that will continue to raise the concerns of the Commonwealth include Covenant funds and appropriations, which Mr. Benavente consider “very critical” at this time.

Labor and immigration reforms put in place over the past two years by the island government will go on, however, “not necessarily to address federal concerns,” added the outgoing House leader.

CNMI has come under fire in recent years over its handling of local labor, immigration and custom standards, forcing the Clinton Administration to press federal takeover of these commonwealth functions in effort to curb influx of alien workers onto the island from neighboring Asian countries.