House resolution seeks to increase budget appropriation
Rep. Antonio M. Sablan (R-Saipan) has authored House Resolution 19-6 that would increase the approved revenues of the government for fiscal year 2017. Public Law 19-68 appropriated $142,209,601 as the CNMI government’s operational budget for fiscal year 2017, which took effect on Sept. 28 after Gov. Ralph DLG Torres signed HB 19-126, also introduced by Sablan.
Torres last week issued a letter revising the identified additional funds available for appropriation. The total amount of $40,967,307.88 is ready for appropriation for fiscal year 2017.
“The Legislature desires to approve the revised resources which are available for appropriation in [fiscal year] 2017,” said Sablan on HR 19-6, which will be introduced with House Bill 19-212—an act to make supplemental appropriations for CNMI government’s operations—in today’s House session.
The 19th Legislature, with the Senate concurring, has approved the additional amount of over $40 million that is available for appropriation.
House Speaker Rafael S. Demapan (R-Saipan) and Senate President Francisco M. Borja (R-Tinian) will then certify HR 19-6 once adopted with the House clerk and Senate legislative secretary attesting. The House clerk would then transmit the certified copy to Torres.
