Governor details budget items earmarked for supplemental

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga called a Joint Special Session of the 38th Legislature yesterday, Monday November 13, 2023, with one year and few months left in his Administration.

The Special Session was called to consider two supplemental appropriations — one for the Budget for fiscal year 2024, which appropriates $3.1 million in unobligated and unexpended revenues from FY 2022 to supplement the FY 2024 budget, the other appropriates $36 million of unobligated and unexpended revenues from FY 2023.

The $36 million supplemental had been tabled due to the issue of it being already expended and the lack of details of how it was spent.

The governor first brought the issue with the $36 million to the attention of the Fono in discussion with Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean and House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale during a meeting held in the third week of September this year. The bill was subsequently discussed in both chambers, and ultimately tabled for the next Fono session after much discussion, including anger.

The $3.1 million supplemental funds are said to come from the line-vetos the governor did on the $22 million supplemental the Fono amended and passed and with which the governor disagreed. Of note, one of the line items in the $3.1 million supplemental was part of the line-veto by the governor — the $1 million for the Fono celebration. The appropriations bill, SB 38-27 does not identify the funds as such, only as FY 2022 unobligated and unexpended revenues.

House Speaker Savali acknowledged the presence of everyone including the Governor, President, Senators, House Representatives and Directors, before the Chief Clerk of the House Vaiaitu M. Maluia announced the Governor’s call.

The Assistant Senate Secretary Ms Motusaga Peleti held the roll call, to confirm 11 Senators and 18 Representatives as present. Nine were absent — seven senators and two faipule.

Lemanu during his address, thanked everyone for their contributions, as without their support in passing the resolutions and bills, especially urgent matters, “we wouldn’t have succeeded what we have here today”.

He said, “Actually the economy has increased which is a result of your services.”

But due to unexpected issues, he explained, he has had to call this special session, to share feelings and to seek each other’s support in order to continue on with administering the government.

“There has been evidence of help from the Federal Government, and local economy, to rebuild our territory, such as funding from COVID 19… “

The Governor highlighted the ongoing challenge of climate change as a significant threat to American Samoa and its people. He acknowledged that, “the Federal Government has made unprecedented investments in our Territory enabling us to act immediately to ensure the safety and well-being of our residents and their homes.”

Fono for their collaborative efforts, Lemanu said, “This allowed our administration to promptly address various challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, seismic events in the Manu’a islands, and destructive King Tides amid rising sea levels.

“The positive outcomes of the Fono and the Lemanu-Talauega administration’s collective endeavors are evident in the community and the substantial improvements made to American Samoa’s critical infrastructure,” which were listed as follows:

Emergency Response and Evacuation Routes: On August 9, 2022, the Emergency Operations Center was activated following reports of continuous tremors experienced by residents in Ofu and Fitiuta due to seismic activity caused by the underwater volcano, Vailulu’u. Fear and uncertainty overcame residents who frantically self-evacuated to American Samoa until scientific assessments of the events were thoroughly conducted. Governor Lemanu shared that the administration took immediate action to aid in the relocation of the residents and construct emergency routes including the Faleasao access road and Fitiuta National Park road.

Infrastructure Resilience Against King Tides: On July 14, 2022, several coastal villages in American Samoa, including Asili, Fatu ma Futi,

Lauli’i, Amouli, and others, experienced damage, flooding, and debris due to powerful southern swells, crashing waves, and strong winds. In response, measures were implemented to fortify shoreline resilience and provide sustained protection against future events. The impact was substantial, with disruptions to electricity, water, and phone lines. In addition, transportation was hindered as a couple of roads were broken, causing a temporary halt to mobility in affected areas.

Access Road Enhancements: Beyond addressing the impacts of king tides, additional enhancements were implemented to vital transportation routes, including the Alofau to Tula Road, Poloa access roads, Tafeta Road, Fogagogo access roads, Maliu Mai access roads, and recognizing the vulnerability of the lowland area, the Tafuna Elementary access road. This comprehensive approach not only fortifies infrastructure in the face of natural threats but also ensures a safer and more resilient commuting experience for our residents and the broader community.

Governor Lemanu urged the Fono to approve the budget, emphasizing the importance of providing and assisting the needs of the people of American Samoa.

He cautioned about the extensive consequences of not passing the legislation, asserting, "Failure to pass this legislation will impact American Samoa’s financial stability and jeopardize our opportunities to secure future funding for our government."

The Governor also outlined specific allocations, including $2.5 million for Medicaid local match  and $1.5 million for COVID reimbursement — both are a part of the $36 million supplemental, with the COVID reimbursement listed as an Audit Finding- MV Pago Pago, which is the vessel Papalli’i Lauli’i Alofa sold to the government and the purchase using COVID funds was later disallowed by the federal Government Audit Office (GAO).

Additionally, he detailed the appropriation of the leftover funds from 2022, amounting to $3.1million, for the Fono’s milestone anniversary, immigration operations and enforcement, supporting victims of crime, compliance with environmental regulations, and cultural preservation at the territory’s only museum.

In conclusion, Governor Lemanu remarked, “To safeguard the future of American Samoa, protect our people, and secure our prosperity, I humbly ask for your vote of confidence in the administrative requests at hand.”

In response to the Governor, via protocols, Senate President Tuaolo thanked the Governor and at the same time reminded him, “There’s one year and few months left of your government Administration, and here you are holding your first special session. Special sessions aren’t new.

“However there are three issues that we need to look at,” Tuaolo.said.

That includes the $1million for the Governor’s office, $1.5 for the Fono, and the lease with the Football Federation of American Samoa (FFAS).

Tuaolo puts it straight out to members of both chambers, that the FFAS lease is a must economy-wise.

The Senate President also reminded members, “about the $36 million already spent. The governor didn’t take that money, neither did his government. It’s been spent and has already been explained.”

Tuaolo also acknowledged the governor for having the courage to speak about these things, without fear of being honest — saying it.

“That will be discussed in due time,” said Tuaolo.

Savaii then announced that both Houses shall meet separately tomorrow starting at the same time at 9 am to begin the work of the special session, which was called for Monday, November 13, 2023 for a period not to exceed 10 calendar days.