Funds paid directly to the CNMI government
• 2003 — $10,000,000 for deficit reduction in the Jobs and Growth Tax Reconciliation Act
• 2003 – Compact-Impact increased from $500,000 to $5.1 million annually, totaling $25.5 million from 2003-2008.
Economic benefits paid directly to constituents and their families
• 2003 — Increased child tax credit to $1000 per child payable by U.S. Treasury (authorized by the Jobs and Growth Tax Reconciliation Act)
• 2008 — Stimulus payments $300 and up depending on marital status and dependents, payable by U.S. Treasury.
Utilities
• 2004 and 2005 — Acquired $ 3 million for water infrastructure on top of annual Covenant funding.
Education
• 2007 — Increased annual Pell Grant allowances for college students from $4,500 a year to $5,400 a year.
• 2005 — Increased annual funding under the Carl Perkins Vocational Education Act from $190,000 to $350,000
Health
Medicaid cap increases since 2002
Year Amount in millions
2002 $ 2.1
2003 2.255
2004 2.381
2005 2.380
2006 3.380
2007 4.580
Veterans
2008 New GI bill — to begin Aug. 1, 2009
• Increased tuition and fees equivalent to the amount charged by the most expensive in-state tuition charged at a public institution
• Increased monthly housing allowance and book and supply allowance.
Transportation
• 2005 Authorization for the Talofofo Bridge project $12 million
• 2005 Increased Territorial Highway funds to $50 million from $36 million, to be shared by the CNMI, Guam, the Virgin Islands and American Samoa
Increased eligibility
• Promoted and achieved eligibility for grants under the Office of Economic Adjustment in the Department of Defense.
• Promoted and achieved a set aside under the Higher Education Act for Asian and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions making it easier for Northern Marianas College to apply for Strengthening Institutions grants.
PETE A. TENORIO
Resident Representative
to Washington, D.C.
