Speaker Eli D. Cabrera disclosed on Friday that the new figure is based on Gov. Benigno R. Fitial’s budget submission for fiscal year 2012, which starts on Oct. 1.
Based on the governor’s proposal, the 20-seat House of Representatives will get a total of $1.1 million which includes the leadership account.
Cabrera, R-Saipan, said he may retain his current leadership account which is $138,000.
The rest of the House members will have to share the remaining funds and each will stand to get a little over $51,000.
The governor’s budget submission also showed that the nine-member Senate will get $574,000 which includes the amount allotted for its leadership.
The current allocation for the Senate is $765,000.
The Legislative Bureau will get $1 million. Its current budget is $1.4 million.
Rep. Stanley T. Torres, Ind-Saipan, said it is going to be “tight” for them in the next fiscal year.
“But if that’s all we will get, then we have to be very conservative and live within the limit,” he added. “We have to accept the reality.”
He said the budget should convince lawmakers and the people of Saipan to legalize casino gaming on the CNMI’s main island.
Rep. Francisco S. Dela Cruz, R-Saipan, said he has not seen the governor’s submission yet but “we have to live within our means, with whatever budget allocation is given the Legislature.”
