Governor bedgrudges OIA chief •OIA official called insensitive over renewed takeover push

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has expressed concern over statements made by Insular Affairs Director Allen P. Stayman that a federal takeover of local labor and immigration is very likely with the entry of more Democrats in the Republican-dominated US Congress, warning of serious impact of the plan on CNMI’s economy already hurting from the Asian crisis.

In a letter to Stayman last week, the governor made a pitch against the federal official for pushing for the approval of a White House-sponsored legislation seeking to extend US laws on minimum wage, customs and immigration in the Northern Marianas without regard to its adverse effects on the island economy.

The letter was sent along with reports updating the insular affairs director on efforts of the Tenorio administration in reforming labor and immigration policies. It also included the difficult economic conditions in CNMI brought about by the region-wide financial turmoil.

The reports were not made available to the media.

“Equally important when considering a change affecting our labor and immigration structure is the state of our local economy. The economic crisis plaguing our neighboring Asian countries has had a devastating effect on our dominant industry, tourism,” the commonwealth leader told Stayman.

Tenorio explained the absence of an alternative industry, lack of natural resources and limited military presence compared to Guam or Hawaii have made it difficult for Northern Marianas to cope with the economic slump, forcing the government to rely on the more stable garment manufacturing.

“My concern was that your statements did not address the devastated state of our local economy and impact that a federal takeover would have on our local economy,” the governor said, referring to Stayman’s statement made November 19.

Administration sources said Tenorio was disturbed by Stayman’s comments to a television network that the new composition of Congress would be favorable to the passage of the takeover bill.

Five more Democrats secured seats in both chambers of Congress, which remains dominated by Republicans mostly sympathetic to CNMI’s cause of keeping control of local immigration and labor policies.

“In that interview Mr. Stayman said he is more confident of swinging a number of Republicans into passing that bill with the addition of five Democrats,” said a government official who declined to be identified, “That really worried the governor because all along while we’re discussing with them ways to address their concerns, they are still pushing for the takeover.”