Northern Marianas Rep. Gregorio Kilili Sablan will be deeply involved in the reworking of the No Child Left Behind law this year. Sablan selected the Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittee yesterday during an organizational meeting of the Education and Labor Committee Democrats.
Sablan also chose the Workforce Protections Subcommittee, which has responsibility for minimum wage legislation, occupational safety and health, and federal employees' compensation issues.
“I am very happy to have been able to get a place on two subcommittees that are so directly involved in federal laws affecting our people and the health of our economy,” said Sablan.
The No Child Left Behind Act-up for reauthorization by Congress this year-provides federal funds for schools, and also establishes accountability standards.
“It is very important that our schools meet high standards. At the same time we have to make sure that any standards take into account our particular local circumstances,” said Sablan. “And we also have to make sure our schools get all the federal funding they need to meet those standards.”
The Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittee is chaired by Dale Kildee (D-MI).
Workforce issues important to the NMI are among Sablan's key areas of interest. Federal minimum wage law was applied to the Marianas in 2007 with a requirement that the wage increase by 50 cents every year until reaching the national minimum wage. As a member of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee, Sablan will be able to focus federal attention on the affect these steady increases are having on the NMI economy.
The Workforce Protections Subcommittee is chaired by Lynn Woolsey (D-CA). (PR)
Home | Weather | Advertising | Classifieds | Subscription | Contact
Us | About Us | Archives
©2006 Saipan Tribune. All Rights Reserved
