THE Senate Fiscal Affairs Committee and the House Committee on Ways and Means assured that the passage of the budget bill for fiscal year 2003 will not be affected by the recent power struggle in the upper chamber.
The chairmen of the committees said they will institute ways to prevent the recurrence of infighting among Saipan, Rota and Tinian lawmakers over the distribution of resources, although some of the lawmakers feel that there is a possibility that the old dispute may resurface.
Senate Fiscal Affairs Committee Chairman Jose M. Dela Cruz said he had already talked to House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Stanley T. Torres, R-Saipan, and House Floor Leader Jesus T. Attao on the possibility of forming a conference committee that will tackle the details of the FY 2003 budget bill even before the House deliberates on it.
“You always have to anticipate somebody not agreeing to a budget. But I honestly believe that this Legislature is in full swing to address this problem. Evereybody’s aware that we can only accomplish that through cooperation,” said Dela Cruz, D-Tinian.
Dela Cruz said that the infighting over the distribution of allocation “will come out again.” “And that’s exactly why we are in constant communication with Chairman Torres and Vice Chairman Attao,” he said.
Attao, R-Saipan, said that with the composition of the Senate leadership still intact, there is no reason that the “coup” attempt may affect the passage of the budget. “Sen. Dela Cruz is still the chairman of fiscal affairs, there are no changes and our communication is going on smoothly. I am confident that we will pass the budget on time,” he said.
