Senators said this figure takes into consideration the reductions and adjustments in the government’s estimated revenues.
The House of Representatives, which is scheduled to hold a session today, will vote on House Concurrent Resolution 16-4 as amended by the Senate.
The Senate earlier rejected the resolution, which identified $148.81 million for government operations.
During yesterday’s session, senators agreed that after all the financial obligations of the central government are taken from the identified $162.82 million budget resources, $150.5 million will be left for government operations and not $148.81 million.
A recall motion on the Senate’s rejection of the resolution was offered but it was withdrawn after Speaker Arnold I. Palacios and Rep. Ray N. Yumul, the chairman of House Ways and Means Committee, clarified that an amendment was acceptable because the House had not officially accepted the previous action of the Senate.
The House, which held a session last Wednesday, agreed to re-examine the budget figures.
Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider, R-Saipan, said reports reaching his office indicated that the government’s expenses for the current fiscal year had already exceeded its budget.
Rep. Edward T. Salas, R-Saipan, noted obvious discrepancies between the governor’s annualized projected revenue collections in FY 2009 and the estimated revenues for the coming fiscal year.
Provisions for deficit reduction and adjustments for projected resources should be taken into consideration, said Rep. Tina Sablan, Ind.-Saipan.
