House puts off override on Fitial’s budget veto

The House of Representatives yesterday deferred voting to override Gov. Benigno R. Fitial’s veto of the $156.76 million budget bill for Fiscal Year 2009, but not before Rep. Tina Sablan raised concerns about alleged favors offered in exchange for not supporting an override.

“There’s concern about the kind of gamesmanship going on. …My office received word that favors are being offered in exchange for not voting for an override. Jobs are being offered to relatives of politicians, releases of allotments. The little favors, concessions here and there. Naturally, that presents a challenge,” said Sablan.

On Tuesday, Fitial vetoed the $156.76 million budget bill submitted by the Legislature, which includes $148 million in local revenue collections, due to lack of austerity measures.

The following day, the Senate overrode the governor’s veto.

At yesterday’s House session, House Floor Leader Joseph James N. Camacho offered a motion to override the governor’s veto of House Bill 16-213.

During discussion on the governor’s veto, Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider said the governor does not need the Legislature to implement austerity measures. Just like other members, Hofschneider pointed out that the administration talks about belt-tightening measures but continues to hire additional employees.

He said the administration is “blackmailing” members of the Legislature into taking away salaries of government employees to be able to pay the salaries of over 400 new employees hired.

“We’re being duped into participating in a disastrous policy…” he said, adding that the governor could have line item vetoed those sections of the bill that he does not agree to.

During the session, Sablan said the governor’s reason for vetoing the bill “is weaker than the last one,” adding that the previous austerity Fridays instituted by the administration didn’t save as much money as expected.

“If the governor’s reason for vetoing the bill holds no water…I want to ask members what your rationale would be for not overriding it now?” she asked.

Sablan and Rep. Diego Benavente also said members of the majority felt there were not enough votes to override the veto so they supported a motion to defer action on the budget bill.

Two majority members – Reps. Rosemond Santos and David Apatang – were not at the session. Rep. Ed Salas was on medical leave.

An override needs at least 14 votes from the 20-member House.

Of the 17 House members present at yesterday afternoon’s session, 10 voted to defer action on the bill. Rep. Frank dela Cruz offered to lay the bill on the table.

The House is expected to have a session next week.

Sablan said the deferment of action on the governor’s veto message will give House members more time to review Fitial’s reasons for vetoing the budget bill and to “check our conscience why we should override the veto.”

She also urged members of the community to contact their representatives to voice out their concerns about the budget.

“What I was hoping to hear is new and compelling reason not to support an override of the veto but there’s none…If there’s lingering questions in the mind of the members about the override, we would want to know,” said Sablan

On Thursday, the Fitial administration said it is sponsoring a standalone bill that will provide for austerity measures that include the reinstatement of austerity Fridays/unpaid holidays and a reduction in the employer contribution to the Retirement Fund from 18 percent to 11 percent.