House, Chamber form committee to deal with fed issues
Leaders of the House of Representatives and the Saipan Chamber of Commerce agreed to form a joint committee that will help improve relations with Washington in effort to quash federal takeover of the island’s labor and immigration standards.
The House Federal and Foreign Relations Committee will work with its Senate counterpart to coordinate with the private sector in matters dealing with federalization proposal pending in the U.S. Congress, according to its chair Rep. Norman S. Palacios.
The move followed a meeting yesterday between the officers of the Chamber and the House majority coalition, led by Speaker Benigno R. Fitial in what both sides said is aimed at establishing regular venue to discuss issues confronting the CNMI.
Mr. Palacios stressed this group of lawmakers and representatives of the business sector will try to enhance its ties with members of Congress as part of lobbying efforts against proposals that will strip local authority over its immigration, minimum wage and customs.
“A lot of businessmen have expressed worry over the federal takeover threats that if this happens, there will be a lot of businesses that will shut down and will create chaos in our economic activities,” he told in an interview after the meeting.
Board director Richard Pierce will head the representative body from the Chamber which has decided to split its Government Relations committee to form such a group entirely devoted to improving relations with the federal government.
The House is currently reviewing the various testimonies submitted by the Chamber to Congress in the last hearings tackling CNMI’s situation to provide “consistency” on positions they will emphasize in a bid to persuade Washington against the federalization plan, said Mr. Palacios.
Stronger relations
Chamber President Lynn Knight underscored the need for more cooperative efforts between the Legislature and the business sector amid continuous economic crisis on the island and threats of federal takeover.
“We must have cooperation otherwise we don’t have even a chance revitalizing our economy,” she said in a separate interview. “I don’t think that anybody out in the community hasn’t felt the effect of the Asian economic crisis, [but] the best and fastest way that we can improve our economy] is if we all work together.”
Ms. Knight said they plan to hold regular talks at least once a month with legislative leaders, as well as with the governor and other administration officials and the Saipan mayor.
The Chamber conducted a monthly meeting with Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio and the Legislature last year in which crucial matters were discussed.
“That’s one of the most valuable activities that the Chamber does, giving the opportunity for the business sector to speak directly with their elected leaders on subjects that are important to them,” added Ms. Knight.
To encourage active business participation in helping craft legislation affecting the sector, the Chamber asked the House to provide them draft of proposals for feedback.
“The Government Relations committee is going to be very active in working with the legislature on bills and providing comments from the business community,” said the president.
Meanwhile, Mr. Palacios disclosed the House has also planned to enhance ties with Japan Diet to assure them of the continued economic links between the country and the Commonwealth.
He said they had met with the local Japanese business community and the Consulate to get inputs on which local laws they believe are obstacles to foreign investments.
