He said the economist will be a permanent professional staff member of the Legislative Bureau.
He said the House of Representatives and the Senate agreed not to fill the deputy LB director’s position anymore and instead hire an economist.
The speaker said the House agreed with the Senate that a professional economist is necessary to help the Legislature in drafting business-friendly legislation that will promote economic activities in the Northern Marianas.
“The economist will do the research for us,” said Palacios.
LB Deputy Director Glenna Palacios-Reyes was promoted last Wednesday as the new LB director.
Palacios-Reyes succeeds Joaquin Omar who was named by the governor as the acting director of the Emergency Management Office.
Senate Legislative Secretary Maria T. Pangelinan, D-Saipan, and the speaker signed Palacios-Reyes’ appointment.
She will serve as the LB director until January 10, 2010.
She will receive the same salary provided to Omar — $65,000 a year.
“Despite the many challenges faced by the Legislative Bureau, we have confidence that you possess the necessary qualifications, experience and leadership to fulfill the constitutional mandate to provide professional services to both houses of the Legislature,” Pangelinan and Palacios said in a joint letter to Palacios-Reyes.
