The Senate will have sessions today, on Tuesday, on Wednesday, on Thursday and on Friday, Oct. 1, the start of FY 2011.
In an interview, Senate President Paul A. Manglona, Ind.-Rota, said they are still hopeful that a balanced budget will be passed before Oct. 1.
“I called for sessions every day, hoping that the House and Senate budget conferees will come to an understanding. We need to add revenue-generating measures,” he said.
Manglona thanked his fellow senators for cancelling all their other commitments this week so they can attend the sessions.
He said it is unfortunate that under the CNMI Constitution, only the House and not the Senate can introduce appropriation and revenue measures.
He said he is confident that no government employee will lose the jobs if revenue-generating measures are enacted into law.
Manglona said the Senate anticipated a budget deadlock, which was why they wanted to convene a budget summit so that lawmakers and the administration could propose revenue-generating measures.
“Just because the Legislature failed to do its job, we will go after the government employees? I agree we have to cut the size of the government but everyone has to carry a little burden,” Manglona said.
The bicameral conference committee will meet at 9 a.m. today before the House regular session which is scheduled to start at 10 a.m.
Both chambers hope they can iron out their differences so they can pass a balanced FY2011 budget before Oct. 1 and avoid a government shutdown.
