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Bill cutting govt salaries by 10% introduced
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Posted on Apr 02 2006
A bill cutting government salaries by 10 percent across-the-board was brought to the floor of the House of Representatives on Friday.
Rep. Absalon Waki Jr. introduced the three-page bill, which also bore the signatures of House Speaker Oscar M. Babauta and Reps. Cinta Kaipat, Francisco Dela Cruz, and Jesus N. Lizama.
House Bill 15-115 was initiated by the Fitial administration in lieu of a work-hour reduction. The measure seeks to slash government personnel costs.
“The Legislature recognizes that the Commonwealth in recent years has expended funds in excess of the available revenues and that a substantial financial deficit has grown as a result,” reads a portion of the bill.
“The Legislature has concluded that a reduction in the uniform salary schedules for Commonwealth government employees is necessary to prevent further deterioration in the Commonwealth’s financial situation, and hopefully prevent a reduction in the government workforce,” the bill added.
The wage reduction would take effect on the pay period following the date the bill becomes law.
The administration expects the bill’s smooth passage in the Legislative Branch. Fitial’s Covenant Party rules both houses.
Speaker Babauta, a close ally of the governor, said the proposed legislation would undergo review by the appropriate House committee. He added that comments on the bill would be sought in a public hearing.
The Executive Branch originally planned to reduce government work period by four hours a week. But difficulty of implementation and allegations of inequity prompted it to junk the initial plan and push instead for a legislated salary reduction.
Press secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. had said that compensation cuts were simpler and could be implemented faster.
