Prior to yesterday’s session, a House-Senate leadership meeting was held to ensure the smooth passage of the House concurrent resolution.
Today, the House will resume the budget discussions and is expected to pass a new bill that the Senate can approve within the week.
During yesterday’s session, Sen. Luis P. Crisostimo, D-Saipan, noted the administration’s continuous certification of vacancies despite the lack of funds.
Senate Fiscal Affairs Committee Chairwoman Maria T. Pangelinan, D-Saipan, emphasized the need to have a new budget.
Sen. Paul A. Manglona, R-Rota, agreed.
“It’s better to shut down the Legislature if it’s not fulfilling its mandate, which is to pass a new budget,” he said.
On Tuesday, the House failed to override the governor’s veto of the budget bill.
“We didn’t discuss an override because there’s only one thing for sure now,” Manglona said. “We’re going to be in a much bigger mess if we don’t work on a new budget.”
The new bill will retain the provision identifying money for the Retirement Fund, he added.
“Once we identified the funding to pay those who want to retire, the size of government will be reduced,” he said.
Many government employees are planning to retire but are afraid to do so because retirees are not receiving their checks on time, he added.
