Previous Story
Salary hike for 5 Cabinet posts OK’d
Gov. Eloy S. Inos has signed a law increasing the salary level of key government posts in the CNMI.
Inos signed Public Law 18-72, titled “To increase the salary level for the Secretary of the Department of Finance, the Secretary of the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, and the Secretary of the Department of Commerce; and correcting the titles of the Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety and the Secretary of the Department of Public Works.”
Before becoming public law, House Bill 18-125, HD1, SD1 was passed by the House of Representatives on first and final reading on Feb. 11, 2014. The Senate subsequently passed it on first and final reading on Dec. 23, 2014.
In a regular session in December, the Legislature noted that “certain department heads’ salaries have been stagnant for many years,” considering the importance of the departments.
The Secretary of Commerce is responsible for growing the CNMI economy and continuously looks for new investors, especially during economically challenging times. The Secretary of the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs manages the biggest Executive Branch department with functions not limited to the food stamp program, youth programs, man’amko programs, and social programs.
The Legislature, however, noted that the head of these departments are paid a “salary much lower than other Cabinet members.” The new law aims to increase these officials’ salaries to the same levels as other Cabinet members.
Under the new law, the Secretary of Community and Cultural Affairs, the Secretary of Commerce, the Commissioner of Public Safety, and the Secretary Public Works will now receive an annual salary not exceeding $54,000. The Secretary of Finance will now receive an annual salary not exceeding $70,000.
The new law also has a severability and savings clauses. (Joel Pinaroc)
