Senate president says there will be negative repercussions affecting government finances unless supplemental passed

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Senate convened their first regular session yesterday after the opening of the Second Special Session of the 38th Legislature on Monday, with the first reading of a Senate Resolution for the confirmation of the governor’s appointments of William E. Spitzenberg, Faafetai Wells and Faipaua Mareko as members of the Board of Registration for Professional Surveyors.

In his letter to Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean dated Jan. 24, 2024, Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga stated that the three appointees “all have extensive experience in the utility industry and have specific experience in land surveying.

“Their knowledge and experience will be valuable additions to the Board of Registration for Professional Surveyors.”

If approved, the three appointees’ tenure will expire in January 2027.

With regard to the administration bill requesting the appropriation of $36 million in surplus revenues to supplement the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget, Tuaolo explained that they are waiting for the House version of the bill because the Senate had not approved their version.

The reason being that the Senate had been waiting for an answer from the Attorney General’s Office on their request for an independent Prosecutor.

The Senate president clarified that the administration has accepted the Fono’s request with the appointment of an Independent Prosecutor to investigate the matter relating to the $36 million spending.

Senator Soliai Tuipine Fuimaono thanked President Tuaolo for his declaration of the Fono’s acceptance of the $36 million administration bill during the opening ceremony of the Special Session on Monday, resolving the controversial issue and that the governor left satisfied.

Senator Malaepule Saite Moliga was quick to point out his disagreement with Soliai’s acknowledgement saying that the matter was not yet over until it is discussed in the Senate.

He argued that members must be given the chance to voice their opinions on the matter as mandated in the Senate rules and regulations, before any final decision is made.

Tuaolo explained that he had made the declaration based on what they had agreed upon in their informal meeting last Saturday, to accept the governor’s request to approve the $36 million bill now that the AG has submitted his petition to the High Court for an Independent Prosecutor to investigate the matter.

Malaepule replied that the governor should have explained the consequences the government will face if the $36 million bill is not passed.

“He should have explained clearly that there would be negative repercussions affecting government finances in the future if the bill is not approved,” Malaepule argued. “Instead of just requesting that we approve it, because everybody knows that we have already made our decision not to approve it.

“We all know the administration has already used the $36 million without Fono approval and that the matter is now in court, but the governor should still explain clearly why he wants us to approve the bill.

Tuaolo again explained why it was important that the government books for the 2023 financial year are closed before the end of the week, and pointed out that it would affect future borrowing by government to finance bonds.

He recalled that when Governor Lolo came into office, there were many government debts, which was why he borrowed funds to finance bonds.

He reiterated that funds would not be forthcoming if government finances are not in order.

Tuaolo reminded members that the current two top government executives will not hold their positions permanently, and future leaders’ plans to improve the Territory would be put on hold because of the current predicament.

Senator Muagututi’a Tauoa spoke in support of Tuaolo saying that members should respect the president’s public declaration of approval for the bill because both sides have got what they wanted, and the Senate should just let the matter run its course in court and see where it ends.

Senator Malaepule acknowledged the senior senator’s logic saying the president has voiced what should have been explained in detail by the governor.

The Senate will be in session early today at 8:30am due to a hearing by the Senate Select Investigative Committee (SSIC) scheduled for 9am.

BACKGROUND

Samoa News should point out that there seems to be two minds about the Senate’s request for an IP — that it is still in process of being approved via the AG’s petition or that the court has accepted the AG’s petition as seemed to be indicated in Tuaolo’s remarks during the opening of the 2nd Special Session on Monday, Mar. 25, 2024, when he spoke of the reasons the $36 million bill should be now passed, despite being rejected after the Senate found out that the money had already been spent.