IN his revised budget transmittal letter, the governor reminded lawmakers that they still had to approve additional funding for PSS and MVA.

SINCE its establishment in January 1979, the CNMI government has always sought “new investments,” including those involving agriculture and fisheries. Tourism, however, has remained the Commonwealth’s economic mainstay simply because these are tropical islands — they are tourist attractions already…

When American Samoa overwhelmingly rejected deep-sea mining earlier this year, many believed their position would be decisive. But despite...

Until a new major industry comes in, settles down, and thrives, tourism will remain the islands’ “bread and butter” — even as others chase economic ponies and rainbows.