His administration, he added, will look for other “ways and options” to raise the needed funds.
“One thing I want to clear — if I initiate this lawsuit I will not use funds that are earmarked for public services,” he told reporters. “We are still looking and considering other options.”
Asked if fundraisers will be conducted, the governor said it’s possible.
Fitial said the lawsuit will be filed in the federal court in Washington, D.C.
His special legal adviser, Howard Willens, will “take the lead,” the governor added.
The administration has asked the Legislature to appropriate at least $400,000 for the lawsuit, but lawmakers rejected the governor’s request.
According to Fitial, his decision to file the lawsuit “is a requirement of the CNMI Constitution.”
“Our Constitution requires me to make a decision…so I am going to make the necessary decision,” he said.
Despite his decision to “fight” the federal government, Fitial said he’s looking forward to a “fruitful” meeting with U.S. Office of Insular Affairs Director Nick Pula.
“Mr. Pula will be coming soon and we will be meeting him together with the members of the Legislature,” the governor said.
Pula is scheduled to be here on Sept. 22.
“The main topic of all the discussions [with him] is the [power] crisis,” Fitial said, adding that he supports the efforts of lawmakers and Washington Rep. Pete A. Tenorio to ask for federal assistance.
“I welcome any help [Tenorio] can get because I am not against anything that is good,” the governor said.
