17 Sep 2011

700 workers may be exempted from possible CNMI government shutdown

6:24 am on 17 September 2011

The Northern Marianas Lieutenant Governor, Eloy S. Inos, says if the House and Senate fail to pass a budget before October 1st, only an estimated 40 percent or 700 government employees will be able to report for work.

Those that can report for work include nurses, doctors, police officers, firefighters, and corrections officers, along with other so-called critical government employees and many federally-funded positions.

More than 1,000 others will be out of jobs until after a fiscal year 2012 budget bill is enacted into law.

Many Northern Marianas College and Public School System employees will also be exempted to ensure that schools will be open, along with personnel needed to ensure there's running water and power.