Delegating the representation

No one has mentioned it, but our man (or woman, candidates) in Washington is quietly moving from the Executive to the Legislative branch.

The Covenant required the Washington Representative to present his credentials to the Department of State, something like an Ambassador. The Delegate will presumably have to present credentials to the U.S. House of Representatives to be seated.

Practically, there's not much difference, it's even a plus because of the ability to directly influence legislation. Philosophically, it undercuts those who argue for a more independent CNMI. Former Governor and Washington Representative Froilan C. Tenorio consistently opposed having a non-voting delegate. That may be the reason, though I've never had the chance to discuss it with him.

For all of its rhetoric, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial's administration seems supportive, at least according to Press Secretary Charles Reyes in the Saipan Tribune:

Reyes noted that if the governor were to challenge the federalization law, the challenge would not include the delegate portion.

“The delegate portion is not harmful. He [Fitial] supports the delegate portion of the law. What he disagrees with are the other provisions of the law that he finds very damaging to the CNMI economy,” he added.

It would seem none of the candidates have a problem with the change.

Section 901. The Constitution or laws of the Northern Mariana Islands may provide for the appointment or election of a Resident Representative to the United States, whose term of office will be two years, unless otherwise determined by local law, and who will be entitled to receive official recognition as such Representative by all of the departments and agencies of the Government of the United States upon presentation through the Department of State of a certificate of selection from the Governor. The Representative must be a citizen and resident of the Northern Mariana Islands, at least twenty-five years of age, and, after termination of the Trusteeship Agreement, a citizen of the United States.

Good things about the energy crisis?

Resident Representative Pete A. Tenorio deserves some props if he's indeed the one who got 12 mile CNMI control of submerged lands into proposed offshore drilling legislation. Sigh. It was in the Saipan Tribune and Marianas Variety yesterday but I can't find a link. Maybe that's because they both just reprinted his press release. The resrep link seems to be broken. Update: here we go, their website was intractable, but I found it on the net

According to the press release, Congressman Don Young of Alaska included the provision in H.R. 6108. I particularly liked its headline: "CNMI could benefit from energy crisis".

I have some problems with that, but not where the Commonwealth is concerned. Because of looming energy problems Japan and France decided to push nuclear power years ago; Germany is going solar. At this late date, when it hit the fan again, some geniuses think offshore drilling will help us a few years 'down the road'.

On the bright side, even if the bill doesn't pass, Young has shown the ability to slip pet provisions into other bills after they have passed.

On the road again

Our flirtation with 55 mph speed limits didn't take, but it appears gas price increases save lives. Who knew?

Calorie counting

Closer to home, the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation has forced many people to give up the '24 hour rice cooker'. You know, keeping it going 'in case anybody gets hungry'. That's a good thing nutritionally too; the gloppy over-refined stuff that's preferred here is hardly a healthy snack.

Between CUC and rice price increases (thanks for the ethanol subsidies, Congress) we've been eating more of the three T's: tapioca, taro and 'taters. Yum.

That's very timely, with that conference on lifestyle diseases just wrapping up.

Hmm, I wonder if restaurants should list the calories of menu items like New York City? (They just banned trans-fat, too.)