The government of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas entered the new fiscal year yesterday without an approved budget.
Governor Benigno R. Fitial has proposed a 168 million US dollar budget for the fiscal year 2008, which runs from October the 1st 2007.
The budget was submitted to legislators three weeks ago, but is still under review by the House Ways and Means Committee.
The Governor's spokesperson, Charles P. Reyes Jr., has told the Saipan Tribune newspaper the Finance Department is scrutinising all government purchase orders to determine whether they are important.
He says the department will continue monitoring government spending and will only allow expenses it considers absolutely essential.
