Department of Finance records showed that the previous administration spent a total of $2.7 million in travel-related expenses in CY 2005. This dropped to $1.228 million in CY 2008.
The executive branch spent the most — $955,716 — during 2005. The Legislature came second with $842,104 during the period.
The now defunct Washington Representative Office spent $115,585 in 2005 while Rota and Tinian, spent $277,175 and 364,014, respectively.
The offices of the mayors of Saipan and Northern Islands separately spent $63,831 while the judiciary spent $84,284 for its travels in 2005.
Records further show that for CY 2006, the government spent $1.617 million for travels. It went down to $1.57 million in 2007 and finally to $1.228 million last year.
In 2008, the executive branch spent $202,924 on travels.
The judicial branch spent $34,012 while the Legislature spent $622,065 for their travel-related activities.
A memorandum is still in effect prohibiting all government employees from traveling unless really necessary or the federal government is paying for their trip.
The CNMI government’s budget of $213 million in 2005 has dropped to $148.5 million due to its declining revenues.
Tax collections sharply dropped following the closure of the garment industry on Saipan and the deepening tourism slump.
