The House of Representatives today approved in final reading the governor’s basic budget request for Fiscal Year 2018 of $395.1 million.
The vote was 19-0.
There were no questions asked or changes made to the budget bill during second reading yesterday, and today’s vote to approve the bill as is was expected.
The Senate however was awaiting the return of Senate President Gaoteote Palaie last night before scheduling a vote on the appropriations bill.
There was no discussion on the bill during today’s Senate session.
The fact that Senators didnt have a second reading of the bill to await the Senate president’s return led to speculation that some changes to the budget bill may be under consideration.
If the Senate decides to make changes there’s time before the new fiscal year begins for the two houses to conference and come to a compromise on the appropriations bill, whose total is 90% of the total spending plan that ASG officials say is needed to last the full fiscal year.
As we reported earlier a supplemental budget of just over $11 million was submitted together with the basic budget request and it includes personnel costs of some major departments such as Education and Health. The House and Senate have just dealt with the basic budget bill and doesnt appear to be rushing to act on the supplemental at this time.
