Bicameral committee eyes piecemeal budget

With time running out and they are still unable to hammer out an acceptable fiscal budget, the House and the Senate are eyeing the possibility of passing appropriate measure for each of the key departments and agencies of the government.

A joint committee has until today to decide whether to take this direction or not as well as to find out if the Tenorio administration supports the idea, according to members of the bicameral conference.

The Public School System, the Departments of Public Health as well as Public Safety, and the Judicial Branch will have their so-called piecemeal budget if the Legislature fails to approve the FY 2001 spending package.

“We haven’t agreed on anything yet but that’s our second option in the absence of a budget acceptable to both houses,” said Senate Fiscal Affairs Committee chair Sen. Edward U. Maratita.

He added he would still press earmarking of $2 million to compensate employees under the retroactive pay, who have been awaiting the salary increase since 1991.

According to House Floor Leader Oscar M. Babauta, having a piecemeal budget may be the only way to resolve the budget impasse.

The bicameral meeting aimed at reaching a budget pact began on December 15 following rejection by the House on Senate amendments to the spending measure.

The changes included lower budget level for DPS and DPH, a $10 million cut from the Executive Branch, elimination of $700,000 for lobbying campaign in Washington D.C. as well as bigger share for Rota and Tinian municipalities.

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has submitted a budget amounting to $221.66 million which will oil government operation beginning Oct. 1, 2000 through Sept. 30, 2001.

Although the Constitution requires that the budget be approved before the beginning of each fiscal year, the government can use the previous spending level under the continuing resolution — which is what has been happening now since October 1999.

Passing a piecemeal budget may not draw the support of the administration as there are legal questions regarding the issue, the two lawmakers admitted.

“That’s what I’m afraid of, if the governor will agree on a piecemeal budget,” said Mr. Maratita.

Mr. Babauta, on the other hand, raised possible legal obstacles if the Legislature takes that course rather than approving the entire FY 2001 budget.

“There are some questions on the issue of legality as far as piecemeal budget is concerned,” he explained. “While other programs will be under continuing resolution, taking that step would mean other agencies will have to be burdened as opposed to other agencies with piecemeal budget.”

He indicated the bicameral conferees will have a definite plan by today which is supposed to be their last day of meeting in trying to come up with a compromise.

“We have to answer that question before coming up with an agreement,” said the Saipan lawmaker.

He said he is also uncertain of getting the support of Mr. Tenorio on the piecemeal budget. “He would be happier to see a unified budget based on his submission with slight changes by the Legislature,” added Mr. Babauta.

The conferees, who also include House Ways and Means Committee chair Rep. Antonio M. Camacho, Rep. Malua T. Peter, Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes and Sen. Joaquin G. Adriano. met briefly yesterday to examine the option of passing a piecemeal budget.