SNILD appropriates over $200K to Legislative Bureau

The Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation has addressed the Legislative Bureau’s financial concerns by appropriating over $200,000 to the bureau from Saipan Local Laws 20-04 and 20-26.

Last Wednesday, the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation held a regular session to address a number of local bills.

During the session, House Local Bill 23-67 was introduced to appropriate funds from Saipan Local Laws 20-04 to 20-26 to the Legislative Bureau who previously expressed that they have been crippled by budget constraints.

Specifically, from Saipan Local Law 20-04, the delegation appropriated $59,491.61 to the Legislative Bureau while $150,000 was appropriated to the bureau from Saipan Local Law 20-26.

The legislation passed the delegation by unanimous vote.

According to the delegation, the funds appropriated is excess funds from previous appropriations by the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation to fund a generator system for the legislative building.

“The delegation finds that the operational funds dedicated to Legislative Bureau under its ARPA allocation had been reprogrammed by the administration leaving the Legislative Bureau crippled in providing services to both the House and Senate members within the Legislative branch,” said HLB 23-67.

Recently, the NMI Legislative Bureau announced that it would be terminating essential services following a letter from the CNMI administration informing the bureau that they will no longer be receiving the remaining $1.8 million in American Rescue Plan Act monies allocated by the previous administrator.

Last month, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Finance Secretary Tracy Norita wrote to Legislative Bureau director Perry P. Tenorio stating that there was no sufficient ARPA funds left for the Legislature.

During the previous administration, former governor Ralph DLG Torres allocated $3.5 million to the Legislative Bureau but about $1.8 million had yet to be disbursed.

“We regret to inform you that we have reviewed the ARPA Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund spending and determined that there are not sufficient funds available to pay available budget amounts not already disbursed on behalf of the CNMI Legislature,” said the letter.

Tenorio, in a letter to the Legislature, stated that because they no longer have access to these ARPA funds, they will have to terminate essential services.

“Following the governor and the Department of Finance secretary’s correspondence informing us that the bureau will no longer have access to the remaining ARPA Fund balance of $1.8 million, we are compelled to take immediate actions to prevent the bureau from incurring unfunded liabilities. The situation is of significant concern. Effective immediately, aside from personnel and utilities, all recurring monthly services will be discontinued. This will have a critical impact on the bureau’s operational capacity, particularly in the area of communications infrastructure,” said Tenorio.

Specifically, Tenorio explains that internet, landlines, and cellular services will cease, rendering the bureau unable to broadcast legislative sessions and committee meetings.

“This will severely restrict transparency and public access. Additionally, the discontinuation of internet service will halt all communication and research capabilities, and without operational landlines, both internal and external coordination will be significantly disrupted. Office equipment will no longer receive or send email communication, further crippling day-to-day functions,” he said.

Although the bureau is still trying to work with the presiding legislative officers on this matter, they have no choice but to cease normal operations, Tenorio says.

“We are actively working with the presiding officers on this matter, and we have communicated today a formal request to the administration to rescind its decision and reinstate the bureau’s ARPA allocation. However, until such a reversal occurs, there are no available funds to continue normal operations. As such and effectively immediately, we will notify all vendors to cease services to avoid incurring additional unfunded liabilities,” said Tenorio.