Local-Federal Collaboration Through Data and Dialogue
Big thank you to Chairman T.J. Manglona of the CNMI House Commerce Committee for launching a new partnership this week focused on building credible, timely data to inform both local and federal policymaking. Early in my term, Congressman Manglona and I discussed how our respective committees—his in the CNMI Legislature and mine in the U.S. House—could work together to identify and spotlight the challenges facing small businesses and economic programs in the Marianas. Bringing our community’s voices and experiences to Congress isn’t easy, especially given the distance. But collaborating to gather information locally can help fill that gap. Hearings like the one held this week—designed to capture on record the challenges and ideas coming from the ground—are incredibly valuable as we shape responsive policies at both the local and federal level. Thank you to the House Commerce Committee, Chairman Manglona, Commonwealth Economic Development Authority, and Department of Commerce for making this important conversation possible and for keeping the focus on real, workable solutions for the CNMI.