Rep. Stanley T. Torres, R-Saipan, said the majority doesn’t want ordinary employees see more cuts in their paychecks.
Speaker Arnold I. Palacios, R-Saipan, earlier told the Variety their budget version allows each government agency the flexibility to adjust their budget to make the necessary cuts.
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Ray N. Yumul, R-Saipan, said he expects the Senate to make amendments but he’s hoping that senators are willing to sit down with House members who will be assigned as members of the yet to be called conference committee.
According to the amended version of House Bill 16-275 or the Appropriations and Budget Authority Act of 2010, the 64 regular hours per pay period will be imposed upon all departments, divisions and agencies of the CNMI government, including autonomous agencies.
“In the case of work in excess of 64 hours per pay period, employees of entities falling under this subsection (k) shall be paid at their normal hourly rate up to 40 hours per week. Premium or overtime pay shall only be authorized for work in excess of 40 hours per week,” it reads.
The reduction is tantamount to 52 austerity holidays throughout the next 12 months.
The Public School System and Northern Marianas College, which follow a different work calendar, are also mandated to observe the reduced work hours.
Officials whose salaries are constitutionally protected like the governor, the lt. governor, justices, judges and lawmakers, will remain untouched.
They are, however, encouraged to waive 20 percent of their salaries to show their unity with the rest of the government workforce who are asked to sacrifice a huge pay cut.
“This Act shall not apply to the salaries of the Members of the Legislature, the Governor or Lieutenant Governor, or the Justices or Judges of the Commonwealth Supreme and Superior Courts protected by the CNMI Constitution. Notwithstanding this exemption, these officials are encouraged to waive 20 percent of their salaries or 16 hours per pay period for the effective period of this Act. Any portion of a salary waived under this subsection shall remain in the General Fund,” the budget bill which now heads back to the House stated.
