A government shutdown in the Northern Marianas that will temporarily send over 1,400 workers out of jobs and close many public services starting tomorrow is now likely after budget talks between the Senate and the House of Representatives collapsed yesterday.
Community members have expressed disappointment that the Legislature's failure to set aside politics and do their job-to timely pass a balanced budget-will send people out of their job and without income for days or weeks.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial is poised to issue today an emergency order on a government shutdown if the 17th Legislature's last-ditch efforts to timely pass a balanced budget fail.
Both chambers were scheduled to hold sessions last night to try to pass a new US$132 million budget bill.
