The CNMI legislature’s disagreement has delayed the bonus for the region’s retirees for months. In a recent house session, lawmakers passed House Bill 22-95 offering its latest proposal to pay out the $500 to $1,000 bonuses promised by Gov. Ralph Torres in December. After months of debate over how to pay out the bonuses legally and where the sources of funding would come from, Senate President Jude Hofschneider says they are revisiting the matter once again.

“It is what it is,” he said.  It is our responsibility to figure out a way so that we can get to the next step.

When asked if the Senate is going to revise and offer amendments of its own to the bill, Hofschneider said, “Most likely.”  

When House Bill 22-95 passed in session, the Senate said last week that it was not satisfied when it comes to reducing funds meant for the Marianas Visitors Authority. Hofschneider said that the joint resolution passed in December is the correct remedy to the deadlock.