Senate on brief recess — saving days to consider supplemental budget

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Fono has been on a three-session-day recess (not counting the weekend and the Labor Day holiday), since last Friday, awaiting the introduction of the Administration’s planned $12 million supplemental budget. Fono leaders informed their respective chambers last week Thursday of the recess and the reason behind it.

The recess is needed to save session-days from the 2nd Regular Session of the 37th Legislature in order to consider the supplemental.

Acting Gov. Talauega Eleasalo V. Ale confirmed during a news conference last Thursday morning the planned $12.8 million supplemental budget, to be funded with surplus from fiscal years 2019 and 2020 but says that the Governor’s Office is waiting for the budget for FY 2022 which begins on Oct. 1st this year to be returned to the governor’s office. 

Both the Senate and House approved during their respective sessions last Thursday each others version of the FY 2022 budget with no changes. The House version of the budget bill — or any appropriation bills for that matter — is usually sent to the Governor’s Office for review and a final decision.

The government’s FY 2022 budget totaling $552.78 million — is to be funded with $110.16 from local revenue; $219.59 million in federal grants; $212.85 million under Enterprise Funds — which includes budgets for ASG’s semi autonomous agencies or authorities — and $10.26 million in Capital Improvement Projects.

OTHER ISSUES

Also last Thursday the Senate confirmed the governor’s nominees to the Board of Higher Education, which governs the American Samoa Community College. The nominees are:

• Rev. Elder Dr. Siulagi Solomona and Rev. Elder Fouvale Assistant - terms expire Aug. 1, 2025;

• Rev. Iasepi Ulu and Dr. Gertrude Iuli Sala - whose term expires Aug. 1, 2024; and

• Denise Ah Sue and Justin Tuiasosopo - their terms expire Aug. 1, 2023

The Fono leaders were informed by the governor that Education director Talauega Dr. Eleasalo Ale, is a member of the board by virtue of his position. Additionally, an ASCC second-year student will be elected by the student body to serve a one-year term.

Instead of the usual rules of voting on confirmation by secret ballot, senators agreed with a motion to wave the rules and vote by a show of hands, with the final result of unanimous decision of 13-0.

A Senate Education Committee confirmation hearing was held earlier in the day in which no questions were asked but the board received praise from senators, especially with three church ministers on the panel. Confirmation for the board is pending in the House.