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Fitial: Timely budget proposal for FY 2010
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Posted on Mar 09 2009
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, who vetoed the Fiscal Year 2009 budget bill on Feb. 10, said a timely budget proposal for FY 2010 will be forwarded to the Legislature by April 1, 2009.
Fitial informed Speaker Arnold I. Palacios and Senate Pres. Pete P. Reyes that all agencies and departments “have been working diligently” for several weeks now to submit their budget proposals for FY 2010, which begins on Oct. 1, 2009.
The governor’s communication came the same day the House failed to override his $156.76 million budget for FY 2009 on Wednesday. The House managed to get only 12 votes instead of 14 to override the budget veto.
The last time the CNMI had a budget bill signed into law was in 2006, when Fitial first came into office.
In the absence of a budget law, the CNMI government continues to operate under continuing appropriation.
Rep. Ray Yumul, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, said he’s now waiting for the governor’s proposed budget for FY 2010 on or before April 1.
By July 1, the Legislature sets limits on expenditures by passing a House Concurrent Resolution. By Sept. 1, the Legislature completes action by introducing and passing a budget bill setting the annual appropriation.
