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‘No over-the-cap salaries for appointees’
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Posted on Jan 16 2006
No appointee will receive an over-the-cap salary under the Fitial administration, the new governor reportedly told his Cabinet members yesterday.
Press secretary Charles P. Reyes said the new administration would comply with salary limits as part of its austerity measures.
“This administration is very concerned about the financial situation of the CNMI. We must be very cost-conscious, that’s the message that was conveyed to the Cabinet members this morning,” Reyes said.
According to him, Fitial emphasized that he would not ask the Legislature for a salary cap exemption for any department or activity head.
Public Law 13-24, the last enacted budget law, sets an $80,000 annual salary limit for a department head who has a doctor’s degree or a law degree, or who is a U.S. certified public accountant.
Other CPAs, attorneys, and engineers employed by the CNMI government whose primary responsibilities consist of the practice of their profession and who have been admitted to practice in a U.S. jurisdiction for at least one year may receive up to $70,000 a year.
Secretaries of Community and Cultural Affairs, Labor, Commerce, and Lands and Natural Resources may get up to $52,000 a year.
The annual compensation for resident department heads should not exceed $45,000 a year. The same goes for unclassified directors who are considered essential services personnel.
The director of the Customs Division, however, may receive as much as $48,000.
Deputy secretaries may receive a maximum of $50,000.
Reyes also reported that government travel would be strictly restricted. All travel requests will be reviewed thoroughly.
Cabinet members were also ordered to enforce laws on government vehicle use. “The officials were told to make sure that all laws on government vehicles are strictly adhered to at all times. Public vehicles should be used for official business only and fuel consumption should be kept to a minimum to save additional funds for the government,” Reyes said.
The use of government mobile phones will also be controlled, he added.
