Pacific / Northern Marianas

Shutdown possible in CNMI over budget

19:52 pm on 19 September 2016

A shutdown of non-essential government services in the Northern Marianas is looming after the legislature failed to agree on the 2017 Budget.

CNMI Legislature Photo: Supplied

This followed back-to-back Senate and House of Representatives sessions on Friday and Saturday.

Now, the $US142-million dollar budget goes to bicameral conference at which handpicked panel will try and hammer out a compromise.

Under the CNMI Constitution, a government shutdown ensues if a budget is not passed before the September 30th deadline.