The Senate in the CNMI is poised to offer a substitute bill to replace the budget legislation passed by the House of Representatives.
According to the chairwoman of the Senate's Fiscal Affairs Committee, Senator Maria Pangelinan, it's preparing a measure that will include itemised appropriations for Executive Branch agencies.
The House-approved Budget provided a lump sum budget for the administration.
Proponents of the idea in the House argue that the governor, who will have full authority over the US$75 million budget , knows best how to manage the limited resources.
But Ms Pangelinan says the Legislature should set specific spending guidelines, precisely because general fund resources are scarce
