Senate budget chair calls salary increases for cabinet — illegal

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The increase in salaries for Cabinet members in the Lemanu and Talauega Administration is “illegal” as it was not included in the budget.

This is according to Senator Magalei Logovi’i who is also the chairman of the Budget Committee during the joint budget hearings for the Department of Human Resources.

Senator Magalei inquired about the increases of salaries for directors and deputy directors yet was not included in the previous budget for 2020-2021, but it has now been submitted in the current budget proposed for the new financial year.

Director Lynn Pulou-Alaimalo explained the approval came from Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga.

Magalei questioned the Governor’s “authority” to approve the increases of salaries not included in the budgets for the Departments.

“We only approved increases of directors salaries [to] $75,000 however some directors are getting paid between $80,000 to $85,000 and again who authorized the increased in salaries which was not included in the budget approved by the Fono?” asked Magalei.

Pulou-Alaimalo replied:, “It was per instructions from the Governor.”

Adding that Deputy directors also received pay raises and are now earning $75,000 from $70,000.

Magalei reminded the director the unbudgeted items including increases of salaries cannot be implemented as it’s “illegal” and that the department should follow the salaries in the budget approved by the legislature.

He said the Fono should call in the Governor’s Chief of Staff to explain the increase in salaries.

Larry Sanitoa questioned the significant increase in the number of staff hired by the Department.

Pulou-Alaimalo said their budget increased over half a million due to increase of personnel due to additional mandates of the Department of Human Resources.

Another issue raised is the certification process for employees hired by the Government. Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean asked about the process in terms of clearances and the Director said the recruitment process in place for any one to be eligible to work, they must have a clearance from the Department of Public Safety and Public Health clearance.

Tuaolo said the questions comes to mind after concerns raised by Senator Fonoti Tafaifa Aufata there are people wanted to work for the Government but due to the criminal record they are unable to do so.

Tuaolo asked whether there are any exemptions, but the Director said the law is clear and and the process is required to have clearances from the Police and the DOH.

The total fiscal year 2023 final budget is capped at $693,415,535 reflecting an increase if $140,630,435 or 25 percent above the fiscal year 2022 aggregate budget of $522,785.

The executive summary submitted to the Fono indicates that the government anticipates collecting $77.5 million, of which $18.5 million would be from corporate taxes; $29.4 million from individual taxes and $24.6 million in excise taxes; $3 million from soda and cover taxes at $2 million.

For expenditures, $84,543,000 is for salaries; $3.1 million for materials and supplies, while contractual services is $17 million and $891,500 for travel; $11 million allocated under “others” and $586,500 for equipment.