11 Feb 2017

CNMI's AG files lawsuit against wage rise

8:56 am on 11 February 2017

The Northern Marianas Government's top lawyer has filed a lawsuit to stop the implementation of a law that mandates salary increases for members of the Legislature, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Governor.

CNMI Legislature 16:10

CNMI Legislature 16:10 Photo: Supplied

"The law is unconstitutional because the Advisory Commission that recommended the salary increase was not validly constituted," according to the Attorney General.

Edward Manibusan also said the law is illegal because the salary increase recommended by the Advisory Commission for the Legislature exceeded the change in an "accepted price index" since the last time the salary was adjusted.

The salary increase prescribed by the law effectively provides a nearly 80-percent pay hike for elected officials.

In contrast, the same law provides just a 5-percent salary increase for government employees covered by civil service.

Under the law, the CNMI's four municipal mayors are now entitled to $US100,000 which is more than double their present salary and the governor's pay goes up to $120,000 from $70,000.

House and Senate members will also see a near doubling of their wages to $70,000.

Salaries for top officials were last adjusted 25 years ago.