First on new governor’s agenda — FY 2021 funding for ASG operations

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Right after the members of the Senate and House were sworn-in yesterday during their separate ceremonies, both chamber convened for day-one of a five-day special session called by the new governor to address funding for Fiscal Year 2021 for ASG operations.

In his inaugural address at the Fagatogo Pavilion, the new governor Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga told the audience that he has called a special session of the Fono to reach an agreement on the budget issue but didn’t elaborate further.

The Lemanu Administration’s funding gap resolution was introduced yesterday in the House during day-one of the Special Session. Some lawmakers had raised arguments over the funding issue but in the end endorsed the measure, which was then sent to the Senate.

Instead of introducing its own version of the funding-gap measure, it was agreed by senators during day-one of their special session, to await the outcome of the House resolution to act on. However, the Senate special session adjourned for the day after waiting for a while for the House measure.

The Fono returns today for day-two of the special session in which the Senate will take up the House resolution that authorizes the continued funding of American Samoa Government operations at levels provided in FY 2020 budget law.

And the authorization provided herein expires at 11:59p.m on Mar. 5, 2021 or until a final FY 2021 budget is enacted into law, according to provision of the resolution. It also states that, “To prevent a funding gap and corresponding government shutdown, and due to the urgent need to continuing the operations of government”, this measure shall be effective immediately upon its passage and approval.

The now former Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga had issued an Oct. 31st executive order, which continued for 60-days ASG operations under FY 2020 funding levels, until the Fono passes the FY 2021 budget.

When asked last Friday, an official of the out-going administration, told Samoa News that the executive order, expired Jan. 3, 2021 — and that was yesterday — and the new Lemanu Administration will be responsible for the budget issue along with the new Legislature.

The impasse over the FY 2021 budget stems from disagrees between the Lolo Admin and the Fono over changes lawmakers made to the final budget before it was approved. The governor had disagreed with amendments made by the Fono to the budget.