There was no changes in the conference committee version of the budget. The House and Senate conferees agreed to an authorization of $56.5 million and an appropriation of $53.709 million.
Del. Jonathan Isechal, House Committee on Ways and Means chairman said that the budget suffered at least 10 percent cuts to ensure that the country will be spending within its means.The measure will be transmitted immediately to President Johnson Toribiong for signature.Toribiong in an interview said he is set to act on the budget by the time he leaves for the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sept. 19.The OEK version of the budget increase the amount appropriated for the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Health.The lawmakers also rejected any appropriation or authorization to a request for an increase of salaries of government officials.The lawmakers also agreed to cut by five percent the state block grants.The lawmakers meanwhile agreed to restore the proposed appropriations for public schools to 10 percent more.There was a proposed cut to the measure earlier. The OEK version also removed appropriations for the low income household assistance, the amount is supposed to be $1,500,000. The amount proposed for the Micronesian Games to be held in Palau on 2010 will also be put on hold unless the source of the money can be identified.The OEK also agreed to authorize $500,000 and make appropriations in the near future for annual state block grants. Members of the House of Delegates and Senate met in a conference committee earlier to reconcile the differences in the two separate budget versions of the Fiscal Year 2010 after the Senate rejected the House version of the measure.Isechal said the conference committee report has the signatures of the majority of the members of both houses.Isechal thanked his colleagues and members of the Senate for the passage of the bill and the unity it has shown in coming up with a balanced budget.
