House committee, Aldan work on budget shortfall

Members of the House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee met yesterday with Tinian Mayor Edwin P. Aldan to address the shortfall in the proposed fiscal year 2024 budget for Tinian.

Also at the meeting were Finance Secretary Tracy B. Norita, and Office of Management and Budget special assistant Virginia Villagomez.

When asked about it later, committee chair Rep. Ralph N. Yumul (Ind-Saipan) said they talked mainly about American Rescue Plan Act money for Tinian to fund employees not listed on the governor’s budget submission for fiscal year 2024. Yumul said they will resume their meeting tomorrow, Friday, when they allocate the funds.

“We have the provision done. Only the allocation on the schedule is still being worked on,” he said, referring to his draft budget bill.

Ralph Yumul