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Bill to increase salaries of several dept heads goes to Inos
The Senate passed H.B. 18-125 last Tuesday to increase the salaries of the secretaries of the Department of Finance, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, and the Department of Commerce to the same level as other cabinet members. The bill now goes to Gov. Eloy S. Inos for his signature.
If made into law, the heads of DCCA and Commerce would have an annual salary not exceeding $54,000, from their current $48,000. The secretary of finance would have an annual salary not exceeding $70,000, from the current $54,000.
The Legislature found that the salaries of these department heads have “been stagnant for many years,” despite their positions’ “increasing responsibilities and difficulties.”
The bill highlighted the important roles these departments play in the CNMI. The bill stated that the secretary of Commerce is “responsible for growing the CNMI economy and continuously looking for new investors” during economically challenged times.
The bill stated that DCCA’s secretary manages the “biggest Executive Branch department with important functions” inclusive of various youth, nutrition, and social programs.
“Yet, these secretaries are paid a salary much lower than other cabinet members,” the bill stated. “Therefore, it is the intent of this measure to increase their salaries to the same level as other cabinet members.”
The bill was introduced by Rep. Antonio P. Sablan (Ind-Saipan).
