House, Senate yet to agree on proposed Feb. 23 SOCA

The House of Representatives has yet to agree to a Senate proposal to hold a joint session on Feb. 23 to receive Gov. Benigno R. Fitial’s State of the Commonwealth Address, although some House members said yesterday that they would like to hear the governor’s address “as soon as possible” or before he submits his fiscal year 2013 budget.

The governor has until April 1 to submit his proposed budget to the Legislature.

While the House leadership has yet to officially discuss the governor’s SOCA, House floor leader George Camacho (Ind-Saipan) believes it will be a good idea if the SOCA coincides with the governor’s budget preparation.

Camacho said the SOCA need not necessarily be on the same day the governor submits his budget to the Legislature.

“But it will give the governor a chance to explain his spending plan and how he intends to carry out such plans to achieve objectives,” Camacho told Saipan Tribune.

The Senate adopted on Dec. 27 a resolution calling for a joint session on Feb. 23 to accept the governor’s SOCA. The resolution also requests Delegate Gregorio Kilili Sablan (Ind-MP) to report on federal matters affecting the CNMI.

Senate President Paul Manglona (Ind-Rota) hopes that the House can address the Senate resolution to give the governor and the delegate ample time to prepare.

Manglona said yesterday that the Senate is open to suggestions for a new SOCA date but still would like the House to communicate such intention.

Rep. Frank Dela Cruz (R-Saipan) said he would like to have the governor deliver his SOCA “at the earliest possible time so that the people of the Commonwealth are made aware of [the CNMI’s] state.”

“We want to hear it directly from his mouth,” he added.

Rep. Ray Yumul (R-Saipan) echoed this sentiment.

The last time Fitial delivered a SOCA was in 2009.

Article 3 Section 9(b) of the CNMI Constitution requires the governor to report at least annually to the Legislature regarding the affairs of the Commonwealth and new measures that are necessary or desirable.

Fitial submitted a financial report to the Legislature on Dec. 31, 2011, reporting a $25.8 million budget deficit in fiscal year 2011.

If there’s any SOCA in February, that will be for “[fiscal year] 2012 and beyond,” officials said.