5 Sep 2018

Massive CNMI pay hikes deemed unconstitutional

5:14 pm on 5 September 2018

The 80 percent pay hike for elected government leaders in the Northern Marianas has been deemed unconstitutional.

The Supreme Court ruled that the decision failed to provide the requirements needed to enact such a hike.

The pay increases for the governor, lieutenant governor and members of the Senate and House of Representatives were legislated last year.

However, the Attorney General Edward Manibusan filed a civil case, challenging the constitutionality of the increase.

While the law gave elected officials big pay raises, other CNMI public servants only got a 5 percent hike.