The Northern Marianas Governor, Benigno Fitial, has vetoed a bill that would have required some government contracts worth half a million US dollars or less to be awarded to local U.S. citizens.
The Saipan Tribune reports that the bill would have limited awarding of such capital improvement, procurement or public works to locally-based firms headed by U.S. citizens.
But Governor Fitial said the measure would prohibit the U.S. territory from taking advantage of pricing or the experience of off-shore firms.
