House OKs resolution capping 2013 budget at $102M

By a vote of 10-7, the House of Representatives adopted Monday a concurrent resolution capping the fiscal year 2013 budget at $102 million as submitted by Gov. Benigno R. Fitial.

But the adoption came only after a lengthy discussion on whether the governor factored in his $102 million proposed budget the July launching of Saipan Air, which is expected to initially bring an additional 150 tourists to the CNMI.

House Speaker Eli Cabrera (R-Saipan) said the House will call in Finance Secretary Larrisa Larson and other administration officials to respond to these questions.

Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos, when asked for comment, said the governor’s budget package already put lawmakers on notice that although the net estimate remains at $102 million, the administration anticipates seeing a gradual growth in the tourism industry in the first quarter of fiscal year 2013 with the planned inauguration of Saipan Air.

Inos also said the governor can make changes to his budget submission by July 1 or 90 days before the start of the new fiscal year.

Some of those who voted “no” to the concurrent resolution, including House minority leader Joseph Deleon Guerrero (R-Saipan) said by not clarifying the budget figures from the administration, the House isn’t doing its due diligence.

Those who voted “yes” to House Concurrent Resolution 17-4 were its author Rep. Ray Basa (Cov-Saipan), floor leader George Camacho (Ind-Saipan), Rep. Ralph Demapan (Cov-Saipan), Rep. Janet Maratita (Ind-Saipan), vice speaker Felicidad Ogumoro (Cov-Saipan), Rep. Joseph Palacios (R-Saipan), Rep. Teresita Santos (Ind-Rota), Rep. Fred Deleon Guerrero (Ind-Saipan), Rep. Stanley Torres (Ind-Saipan), and the speaker.

Voting “no” were the minority leader and Reps. Tony Sablan (R-Saipan), Ray Tebuteb (R-Saipan), Froilan Tenorio (Cov-Saipan), Edmund Villagomez (Cov-Saipan), Frank Dela Cruz (R-Saipan), and Ray Yumul (R-Saipan).

Absent were Reps. Trenton Conner (R-Tinian), Ray Palacios (Cov-Saipan), and Sylvester Iguel (Cov-Saipan).

Fiscal year 2013 is from Oct. 1, 2012, to Sept. 30, 2013.

Under the governor’s submission, the total projected resource for 2013 is $120.671 million. Of this amount, $102 million is available for government operations. The rest goes to bond payments, among other things.