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Diego: Improving relations with feds key to economic recovery
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Posted on Dec 21 2008
Lt. Gov. Diego Benavente said improving the CNMI’s relations with the federal government is the key in addressing economic crisis in the Commonwealth.
In an interview, Benavente said hopefully when he gets elected as the next governor, he will certainly improve the CNMI’s relations with members of the U.S. Congress, members of the Obama administration, and members in the federal government.
“Even with the previous administration when I was lieutenant governor we had actually one of the best federal relationship,” said the lawmaker, who chairs the House Committee on Federal and Foreign Relations.
Rep. Christina Sablan last week urged Gov. Benigno Fitial to drop his lawsuit against federalization and instead restore the CNMI’s good relations with federal agencies.
Benavente said when the people will choose him to be the next governor he will continue the kind of good relationship during their administration.
“Because I truly believe that improving the current situation whether it is economy or even with the concerns we have with the tourism industry the need to improve the federal relations is the key,” Benavente said.
Last Dec. 11, Benavente formally announced his plan to run for governor under the Republican banner in the November 2009 elections. He is the first to declare his candidacy among the several Republicans believed to be aspiring the chief executive’s seat.
