By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

THE administration is allowing each department to decide on how they will implement the additional 15.5 percent budget cut, according to Vice Speaker Justo S. Quitugua.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial last week informed lawmakers that the government’s revenue estimate has decreased to $163.2 million from $198.5 million, and the budget has to be revised accordingly.
“I think the administration is saying that it’s up to each department to decide how they’re going to cope with it, whether they cut all other costs or stop hiring their people,” Quitugua, D-Saipan, told Variety yesterday.
He said due to the new budget cuts, the House of Representatives will now receive $2.9 million instead of $3.5 million.
Based on the budget reduction analysis from the finance department, Quitugua said the House may reduce its personnel cost from $745,953 to $629,609, and cut “all others” — from $2.8 million to $2.3 million.
The House has 200 full-time, or FTE, positions.
The Senate, which had a previous appropriation of $1.8 million, will now get only $1.5 million.
The Senate has 110 FTEs, and may reduce its personnel cost of $372,977 to $314,805.
Its “all others” category may be cut from $1.5 million to $1.2 million.
Fitial, in his letter to the Legislature last week, said he will forward a proposed amended budget for fiscal year 2007 in the next 30 days to ensure continued essential services for the remainder of the fiscal year.