The Governor of the Northern Marianas Benigno Fitial has told the legislature that the government's budget deficit reached more than 25 million US dollars in fiscal year 2011 on a budget of 122 million.
Mr Fitial has blamed the budget deficit on a shortfall of half a million US dollars in revenue collection for the year and 25 million in expenditure and obligations over the amounts appropriated in the fiscal year 2011 budget.
There was substantial overspending in the Department of Public Health.
The deficit comes despite 16-hour work cuts, unpaid holidays and other austerity measures aimed at allowing the government to live within its means.
