Overview:
The Northern Mariana Islands government has shut down operations at the start of fiscal year 2027 after lawmakers failed to provide an approved budget in time. Gov. David Apatang ordered the suspension of most government operations, with only essential services, federally funded positions and certain autonomous agencies continuing to operate.
SAIPAN, 01 OCTOBER 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES)—The Northern Mariana Islands government suspended operations today, with an undetermined number of employees furloughed, after Governor David Apatang declared a shutdown due to the lack of an approved budget for the new fiscal year.
The governor’s office received House Bill 24-108, the appropriations act of 2027, on 30 September 2026, affording insufficient time to properly review the legislation.
The CNMI law prohibits drawing of funds from the government treasury if “a balanced budget is not approved before the first day of the fiscal year.”
Government offices are closed, except for fully federally funded positions and autonomous agencies and public corporations not paid out of the general fund.
The governor’s executive order authorises “essential services” to continue.
The governor determines what positions qualify as “essential services,” which was not specifically defined by any law….PACNEWS