The vote was 12 to 6 with 1 abstention.
The administration said it was pleased with the result of the vote and urged the Legislature to adopt cost-cutting measures.
“Because of the concerns articulated by the governor’s budget veto message, the administration appreciates the decision reached by the House of Representatives. The administration, however, still urges the Legislature to adopt significant cost cutting legislation, including austerity measures, to deal with our current financial challenges,” said Press Secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. in an e-mail to the Variety.
Those who voted for the override were Speaker Arnold I. Palacios, Vice Speaker Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero, Reps. Heinz S. Hofschneider, Rosemond B. Santos, Ed T. Salas, Ramon A. Tebuteb, Ralph DLG. Torres, Ray N. Yumul, Joseph C. Reyes and Tina Sablan.
Except for Sablan, who is an Independent member from Saipan, the 11 are Saipan Republicans.
Those who voted against the override were House Floor Leader Joseph N. Camacho, R-Saipan; House Minority Leader Oscar M. Babauta, Covenant-Saipan; Rep. Raymond D. Palacios, Covenant-Saipan; Rep. Justo S. Quitugua, D-Saipan; Rep. Victor B. Hocog, Ind-Rota; and Rep. Edwin P. Aldan, Covenant-Tinian.
Rep. Stanley T. Torres, R-Saipan, abstained while Rep. David M. Apatang, R.-Saipan, was excused.
Justification
Sablan said every member who voted against passing the budget should search their conscience.
Deleon Guerrero said he was “very disappointed.”
“I think it is incumbent that the members justify to their constituents why we were not able to get a budget. It’s unfortunate that we didn’t get enough votes but the process isn’t over yet,” he said.
Tebuteb said the members who voted against the override should think about the impact of their action.
Yumul, who chairs the House Committee on Ways and Means, said he voted for an override because “I wanted a spending plan in place that will allow this government to operate within its means.”
Yumul said the administration should now work on the budget for the next fiscal year.
“On or before April 1st, the governor must submit a proposed annual budget. By July 1st, the Legislature sets limits on expenditures by passing a House concurrent resolution. By Sept. 1st, the Legislature completes the action by introducing and passing a budget bill setting the annual appropriation,” he said.
Hocog said he is against the override because the jobs of contractual employees on Rota and Tinian are at stake.
“The override will tremendously affect Rota and Tinian. It will cause furloughs and that will again create an exodus of people. A lot of families will be hurt,” he said.
Babauta, for his part, said lawmakers should realize that there is not enough money for all government employees.
He said austerity holidays and unpaid holidays should be enacted.
“I think those who voted against the override felt that there is a need to not pass this budget because of certain underlying issues. One is the situation on Rota. It would affect their excepted service employees. They would be the first to go if this budget is passed because it limits their funding,” he said.
But other House members believe that the governor vetoed the budget bill because it restricts his ability to hire new employees in an election year.
