1 Sep 2011

CNMI's House of Representatives passes contentious budget

10:52 am on 1 September 2011

The House of Representatives in the Northern Marianas has managed to pass a contentious 102-million US dollar budget bill last night.

House members wrangled over 14 proposed amendments that ended up with only five being adopted.

The Saipan Tribune paper reports the budget bill passed by a vote of 11-8.

Acting governor Eloy Inos , in an interview with reporters, said the administration hopes that the House and Senate will agree on a budget bill before the start of the new fiscal year.

He says it is crucial so that there won't be another partial government shutdown that could force over 1,000 government employees out of job for days.

The bill now goes to the Senate for action.