HAGÃ
TÃ'A â" Gov. Eddie Calvo is in the nationâs capital discussing Compact-Impact reimbursement, the stalled China visa waiver program, the military buildup and other issues impacting the island.
In a teleconference with media on Wednesday at Adelup, the governor gave an update of his work in D.C. Calvo said he is knocking on doors to discuss policy mandates and matters imposed by the federal government as well as sharing the impact they have on the island.
He said he has already spoke to Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and he has made a friend in Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii.
Calvo is in Washington to attend a host of meetings including those of the Interagency Group on Insular Affairs or IGIA and the Western Governors Association.
âWe were able to meet with many of the governors, as well as through the IGIA meeting, we were able to meet with key decision members in the presidentâs cabinet,â Calvo said.
With Jewell, he spoke of the need to address climate change, workforce development, tourism and Compact-Impact issues.
Calvo reiterated that the government of Guam was open to using offsets or other innovative solutions to minimize the impact of the Compacts of Free Association on the local economy, a cost reported to exceed $140 million in unreimbursed costs.
âI spoke specifically with (Jewell) on the impact of the Compacts, and gave an update of the numbers and more clarity of what these impacts are and the need to address them,â Calvo said. âIf these are not addressed, there will be a question of our viability. We need the help.â
Origins
The governor also suggested to Jewell that Interior look at the origins and issues with the Freely Associated States such as economic empowerment. âThereâs a reason why there is a vast migration out, and these states need to develop their local economies and hopefully the United States can work with them so that they can work toward a more strong and stable economy for the Freely Associated States,â Calvo said.
During a dinner hosted by President Obama, Calvo said he was seated next to Johnson with whom he discussed the China visa waiver program and a plan to take steps toward Guamâs parole authority. âI was able to bend his ear toward re-invigorating the China visa waiver program,â he said.
Calvo said he was encouraged that Johnson was receptive and felt they could address concerns by the Federal Bureau of Investigations through a hybrid plan.
Calvo also had the opportunity to meet with the senior staffer of the Senate Armed Services Committee to discuss the military buildup. Sen. John McCain of Arizona is chairman of the committee. âI was consistent with our support for the pivot, the realignment, but also very consistent with my stance that we look outside the gate and improve, or mitigate areas that we believe will impact our community,â Calvo said.
Calvo also said he is solidifying plans with his counterparts in other insular areas of the United States and hopes to achieve leverage through the creation of a formal association of the governors of the respective U.S. territories and commonwealths.
Calvo said the strategic importance of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, coupled with the sheer population of Puerto Rico and contributions of American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands, can only help Guamâs case in Washington when it comes to discussions regarding the impact that treaties, mandates and policies of the federal government have on insular areas.
âWe will discuss issues that all the territory and commonwealth governors have a harmony of interest in,â Calvo said. âEach and every island may be unique, whether itâs Puerto Rico or Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa or the U.S. Virgin Islands, in what are the challenges when it comes to federal mandates and actions or treaties that have negative impacts toward our territories or commonwealth.â
Calvo said collectively laying like issues on the table and sharing the negative and positive impacts the federal governmentâs actions have on insular areas would force the attention of the president and Congress.
Title :
Guamâs Calvo pushes collaborative effort by insular areas in DC
Description : HAGÃ
TÃ'A â" Gov. Eddie Calvo is in the nationâs capital discussing Compact-Impact reimbursement, the stalled China v...
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