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Bill restricts govt hiring under continuing resolution
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Posted on Mar 04 2009
While the House failed to override the governor’s veto of the $156.76 million budget for fiscal year 2009, it succeeded in passing a bill that will restrict government hiring when a continuing resolution is in effect.
With a 16-1 vote, House Bill 16-212 passed on first and final reading.
Of the 17 members who remained in attendance during the last hour of the House session yesterday, only Rep. Oscar M. Babauta voted “no” on the bill.
Rep. Ray N. Yumul, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and author of H.B. 16-212, said the bill is intended to ensure that no person will be employed to fill a vacant position when a continuing resolution is in effect unless and until the Legislature, after receiving certifications, approves the requested hiring via passage of a joint resolution.
House members who voted to override the governor’s budget veto criticized the Fitial administration for allowing hundreds of government employees to be hired even as it touts belt-tightening measures.
Currently, additional employees may only be hired to fill vacant positions upon certification that the hiring is necessary and adequate funds exist to support the employment.
But the bill said public interest requires legislative approval of the filling of vacant positions during a period of continuing appropriation, and such approval is consistent with the balanced budget requirements of the Commonwealth Constitution.
Yumul said he will now wait for Gov. Benigno R. Fitial’s proposed budget for FY 2010.
“On or before April 1st, the governor must submit a proposed annual budget. By July 1st, the Legislature sets limits on expenditures by passing a House Concurrent Resolution. By September 1st, the Legislature completes action by introducing and passing a budget bill setting the annual appropriation,” he said.
