Fono convenes in joint session today on supplemental budget funding

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Fono will hold a joint Budget Committee conference this morning on the Administration’s $12.65 million supplemental budget bill for fiscal year 2022, which was introduced in both chambers yesterday. The bill includes funding for a Constitutional Convention to be held in 2022.

Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean announced during yesterday’s Senate session that Fono leaders have agreed to a joint hearing starting at 8a.m today on the supplemental appropriation, as requested by the administration.

There are 18 projects and programs being allocated money under the supplemental budget, which the bill states, is funded with $12.65 million from “unbudgeted, unobligated and unexpended revenues” from fiscal years 2019 and 2020.

Tuaolo says the budget bill includes money for the Constitutional Convention next year and he asked senators to keep this issue in mind and consider the funding amount being proposed and whether to keep the total as is, reduce it or increase it.

According to the bill, $500,000 is allocated to the Governor’s Office to provide for the Constitutional Convention including personnel, supplies and contractual services.

During an interview after been sworn in as Senate President in January this year, Tuaolo shared with Samoa News several important issues on his agenda and one of them was the importance of holding a Constitutional Convention.

Sen. Soliai Tuipine Fuimaono suggested a Constitutional Convention during a committee discussion in February. He said there are many important issues that need to be addressed and put to the public to vote on via a new referendum.

And there have been calls and suggestions from various leaders in the community for a Constitutional Convention as the last one was held in 2010, and one issue of importance for discussion is American Samoa’s future political status with the United States.

During his special address to a Joint Fono session in July this year, Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga revealed plans for the Administration's political status study commission meeting next year, saying that it’s very important that discussions continue on the territory's future political status.

The governor didn’t provide a specific time-frame for next year’s study or for convening a commission meeting — but the Fono leaders were very supportive of the plan.

ANOTHER ISSUE

In a Constitution related issue, the Senate yesterday approved in final reading a Senate Joint Resolution, seeking to amend the Constitution to allow for a year-long sitting of the Legislature instead of the current two-45 session days a year. (See Samoa News edition Aug. 24th for details of the measure.)

The vote was 11-yes and three-nays. Sens. Tuiagamoa Tavai, Ponemafua Tapeni and Fai’ivae Iuli Godinet voted against the bill, which now goes to the House for consideration.