Federal Funding Relief for the CNMI

The week started off with good news. On Monday, the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs awarded the CNMI government up to $5.7 million in Climate Change Technical Assistance to help sustain essential government services as the Commonwealth continues to face its budget challenges. The first quarterly installment of $412,500 will support core operational needs such as finance systems, communications, and inmate care. This grant follows through on the discussions held during the September 902 Consultations in Washington, D.C., where I joined Governor Apatang, Lt. Governor Mendiola, Finance Secretary Tracy Norita, and Special Assistant for Management and Budget Vicky Villagomez in outlining the CNMI’s urgent financial situation and identifying immediate steps the federal government could take to help. I commend the Apatang-Mendiola administration, the Department of Finance, and members of the Legislature for working together to deliver on the commitments made in Washington, and I thank President Trump and his team at OIA for all of their effort to support a viable CNMI. This is what happens when we speak with one voice for the Marianas.