March 3, 2018
Hagatna – Despite the fiscal crisis at hand, Senators recessed again and failed to address the fiscal crisis before them.
In the Committee of the Whole today, Acting Speaker Therese Terlaje directed questions on budgetary issues to the Department of Administration Director Edward Birn, who just started three weeks ago, but reminded the Vice Speaker that budgetary issues are overseen by the Bureau of Budget Management and Research. She continued to ask budget questions and questions specific to operations of the police and fire departments, even though the BBMR Director, Chief of Police and Fire Chief all were present at the Legislature last night ready to provide senators with information.
“It appears the line of questioning by the Vice-Speaker and her unwillingness to call in the subject matter experts was an attempt to embarrass the administration, rather than find constructive answers,” Governor’s Director of Communications, Oyaol Ngirairikl stated.
Session resumes tomorrow at 10 a.m., at which time subject matter experts from the Administration will again be available to answer questions for their respective departments.
We hope the Acting Speaker will direct her questions to the appropriate agency leaders.
Despite fire and police stations closing tomorrow, Terlaje said she did not see an emergency.