WELLINGTON, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- The government of the Northern Mariana Islands was shut down except for "essential services" on Thursday due to pending approval of the new fiscal year budget.
An unknown number of employees are furloughed after Governor David Apatang declared a shutdown, the Pacific Island Times reported, noting that government offices are closed, except for fully federally funded positions and autonomous agencies and public corporations not paid out of the general fund.
"Essential services" are authorized to continue by the governor's executive order.
The Office of the Governor received the Appropriations and Budget Authority Act of 2027 on Wednesday, but could not review it prior to the Thursday deadline, the Marianas Business Journal reported.
The Northern Mariana Islands, located in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, is a self-governing U.S. territory. ■
