CNMI legislature approves $145m budget

The Senate and House of Representatives in the Northern Marianas have passed the 2016 budget of $US145-million and it now goes to the Governor Eloy Inos for approval.

The bill is due to be signed off by the end of the month to avoid a government shutdown.

The Inos administration has raised some concerns about the budget including unclear funding of a five percent salary increase for law enforcement personnel.

There is also concern that benefits outlined for some Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation employees are not funded.

The cut in the Marianas Visitors Authority's budget from $US2.5 million to $US1 million may also be an issue.