The Northern Marianas' Government is expecting an operating deficit of 24 million US dollars in the current financial year, which finishes at the end of this month.
Lieutenant Governor, Eloy Inos, who oversees the Government's financial matters, says most of the cost overruns have been incurred at the Department of Public Health and the public utilities.
Revenue is projected to reach 137 million dollars but spending is anticipated to top out at 161 million.
Mr Inos says the defictis justifies the proposals to trim spending in the coming year by cutting work hours by up to 20 percent.
