Making Room in the Budget for What Matters

The challenges facing the CNMI are complex, and the solutions aren’t always simple. This week, I reached out to Governor Palacios to discuss a bill I’m developing to help lower the cost of the Commonwealth’s public debt. Today, a big portion of our government’s resources go toward debt payments, funds that could instead support critical programs. One major reason for these high costs is the risk investors associate with lending to the CNMI. This may seem complicated but essentially my bill would allow the federal government to offer a limited guarantee on certain debt, signaling that investment here is safe. That assurance can help lower interest rates, free up local funds, and give our government more room to invest in what really matters—public services, infrastructure, and our future.