Fitial asks Kilili to introduce measure on federal grants

Gov. Benigno R. Fitial asked Delegate Gregorio Kilili Sablan (Ind-MP) yesterday to introduce legislation that would allow the CNMI to tap $2.7 million in federal assistance through the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training initiative.

Fitial said his office contacted the U.S. Department of Labor to inquire about this initiative and was informed that the CNMI was not eligible to avail of this opportunity because the CNMI was not included in the governing statue.

“I am deeply troubled by this exclusion given that the CNMI could have been well served by a much needed trade adjustment program and especially since our economic challenges are due in part to trade actions by the U.S. government. In this regard, I respectfully seek your indulgence to aggressively work on introducing legislation that would allow for the CNMI to benefit from federal programs that we have been excluded from and for the inclusion of the CNMI in future assistance opportunities that will be made available,” Fitial told Sablan.

Sablan’s office on Saipan, when asked for comment, said they have yet to receive a copy of Fitial’s letter, sent to the media at past 4:30pm. That was in the wee hours of the morning in Washington, D.C.

Fitial said as he understands it, the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act included $2 billion over four years for the TAACCCT initiative.

This is in support of partnerships between community colleges and employers to develop programs that provide pathways to good jobs by accelerating progress and reducing time to completion and improving retention and achievement rates, among other things.

“This initiative will provide $2.7 million in assistance to each of the states and Puerto Rico. Unfortunately, the (CNMI) and the other territories were once again left behind,” Fitial told Sablan.

The governor added that while the CNMI has been graced by the federal assistance programs it has availed thus far, it must continue to actively pursue any and all opportunities that arise in an effort to ensure that it maximizes efforts to further enhance communities’ livelihood.

“We cannot afford to be left behind while other states and territories enjoy the benefits of available federal assistance programs,” Fitial added.