This bill reduces by one hour every day the workload of government employees so that they are paid only 70 hours every payroll instead of 80 hours.
The Senate Committee on Fiscal Affairs scheduled a 3 p.m. meeting yesterday on the budget issue.
The Senate postponed its session this week to give way for a public hearing on the bill scheduled for April 13, at 6 p.m. at the Kagman Community Center.
“I respect the Senate as a separate body of the Legislature. I am sure senators know the crisis that we’re facing.
But logically, I don’t see the real purpose for having public hearings all throughout the islands,” said Basa, Covenant-Saipan.
“I am hoping that they will make a decision as quickly as possible without further delay. We’ve been given warnings by the administration that if this measure is not in place by April 23, drastic measures would be taken. We’ve been warned a number of times that we may have problems receiving our paychecks. And worse is reduction in force. And I am not just making this up. This is coming from the administration,” he added.
Basa said Gov. Benigno R. Fitial is ready to exercise his executive powers to further cut government expenses.
“I am not an expert on law but I believe the governor, through the budgeting law, can do something to deal with our crisis. He can declare a state of emergency,” he said.
