The House Speaker in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas has asked the Senate to slash controversial discretionary fund.
Froilan Tenorio said that he wants the budget bill amended to cut each lawmaker's annual discretionary fund from US$130,000 to US$80,000.
He says the difference should be given to the leadership account.
Under the Fiscal Year 2011 budget bill that is now with the Senate, the House leadership account will be reduced to just over US$76,000 down from the current US$400,000.
Mr Tenorio said the reduced amount was not enough for eight committees and the officers, including the speaker, vice speaker and floor leader.
The budget bill increased the annual lawmakers discretionary fund
