The governor earlier scaled down the government’s projected revenues from $165 million to $148 million.
Sen. Maria T. Pangelinan, D-Saipan, said she and other lawmakers from both houses are now discussing the details of the new budget draft.
“It doesn’t matter whether you are a critical service — you still have to be accountable for taxpayers’ money,” she said. “It’s not because in the name of education and health, you will continue to seek the same or more money. Everybody has to share the difficulties and challenges that we’re facing now.”
According to Pangelinan, the Public School System, the Departments of Public Health and Public Safety as well as the Marianas Visitors Authority will not be exempted from the budget cuts.
The governor has proposed a 5.5-percent across-the-board for all agencies after he vetoed the Legislature’s $156.7 million budget bill.
Pangelinan said the new draft budget bill includes a one-day shutdown of the Legislature’s operation to reduce the working days of its personnel.
“The Legislature is willing to go on a four-day workweek and we hope to set that model as an example to the executive branch and all agencies and groups receiving public funds,” she said. “We realize that this year’s budget shortfall is the reality.”
Under the revised budget bill, all agencies will be asked to “seriously look at all its programs and personnel,” the senator said.
“When your budget is comprised mainly of salaries…basically it just means that you have to let go of some of your people,” she added.
Pangelinan said PSS, Public Health and DPS must look into all its divisions to see how they can live and manage within their means.
“We believe that ineffective fiscal management causes deficit…and we’re saying there’s something wrong with their fiscal management,” she added.
She declined to say whether lawmakers are planning to override the governor’s veto.
But she said members of both houses are constantly meeting regarding the budget issue.
“I am working on a new $148 million budget proposal — the override is really up to the leadership,” she added.
