Governor proposes salary hikes for House members and Senators

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Gov. Lemanu P. S. Mauga is proposing salary increases for lawmakers, saying that the cost of living has gone up since 1982 — the last time Fono members received a pay hike.

Under current law, the annual salary of the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House is $30,000; other members of the Fono get $25,000 annually; while it’s $20,000 a year for the Swains Island Delegate.

The governor’s proposed legislation seeks to hike to $50,000 annual salaries of the Senate President and House Speaker; increase to $45,0000 annual pay for other legislators; and hike to $40,000 the annually salary for the Swains Island delegate.

The governor submitted his proposal earlier this week, saying that legislative salaries have not been increased since 1982.

“Given the considerable increase in the cost of living since that time and with the upcoming 75th anniversary of the first convening of the American Samoa Legislature, it seems appropriate to modernize the salaries of these individuals who dedicate themselves and their time to the leadership of our community,” the governor wrote to Fono leaders.

Current law states that salary increases for Fono members is effective in the next Legislature session, but the governor’s proposal says the legislation shall become effective 60 days after the end of the session at which it has been passed.

Besides the annual salaries, lawmakers also receive office expense allowances, in accordance with local law, with $60,000 each for the Senate President and House Speaker and $45,000 allowances for Fono members.

While the allowances are tax-free, lawmakers have the option to declare this money as salary, to be taxed.

The last time the office allowances were increased was October 2021, and was included in a bill, which originated from the Senate, that also hiked the salaries of the Executive Branch leaders: governor and lieutenant governor.

The current salary of the governor is $120,000 and the lieutenant governor at $100,000 annually.