BILL FOR GOV & LT GOV’S SALARY BACK TO COMMITTEE

The bill to increase the governor and lt. governor’s salaries was referred back to the Budget and Appropriation Committee after Taotasi Archie Soliai pointed out loopholes in the bill. The House submitted a bill to increase the governor and lt. governor’s salaries to $125,000 and $100,000 respectively.

It also says that each former governor shall be entitled for the remainder of his life to receive from ASG a monetary allowance per annum of 60% of his highest salary during his last year in office, payable monthly by the Treasurer of ASG.

(However that allowance is not payable for any period during which such former governor holds an appointive or elective office or position in or under ASG, or the federal government to which is attached a rate of pay other than a normal rate.)

The proposed bill says the surviving spouse of each governor shall be entitled to receive from ASG a monetary allowance at the rate per annum of 30% of the former governor’s highest salary during his last year in office, payable monthly by the Treasurer of ASG.

During the second reading of this measure, Chairman of the Budget Committee, Timusa Tini Lam Yuen said the changes added to the proposed bill, is to decrease the 60% to 50% for the former governor, and for the governor’s wife the percentage will be changed from 30% to 25%.

Taotasi asked that if this bill is approved, will this affect what will be paid to the former governor (Togiola Tulafono and his wife Mary Ann Tulafono)? He said that if the Fono approves this law it will affect the former governors and their spouses, as this bill will decrease their paychecks. This question prompted House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale to refer this bill back to committee for further investigation into the questions posed by Taotasi.

FAIPULE POINTS OUT THAT ASG MUST COMPLY WITH DISABILITY ACT

It is critical for the American Samoa Government roads and facilities, either renovated or newly constructed, to comply with their obligation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), says Tualauta Rep Larry Sanitoa. He then commended the Director of Public Works and the DOE Maintenance crew for the completion of the sidewalks and restrooms to accommodate students with disabilities at Pavai’a’i Elementary School.

He said this has been a long standing issue for the past two years, with several discussions and planning, and it is relief to finally see it fixed. He also thanked government leaders for their support, and for personally visiting the school to assess the situation and ensure that funding was made available for this important project.

“Director, it is critical that the American Samoa Government roads and facilities, either renovated or newly constructed, comply with its obligation under the Americans with Disabilities Act Title II and Section 504 that “no individual with a disability, be excluded from participating in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal Financial assistance…”

He noted, “The American Samoa Department of Education is a recipient of federal funds awarded to the American Samoa Government, respectively, and is therefore subject to these regulations,” and said compliance with the ADA and Section 504 would minimize federal complaints filed by American Samoa residents with the U.S. DOE of Civil Rights.

Ensuring future projects comply with these federal regulations before issuing Certificate of Occupancy or certifying completion of projects, will save federal or local funds and create a ‘welcoming and inclusive’ community for people in American Samoa he said.

Sanitoa added that a request has been made to the Fono’s legal team “to revisit our procurement process and procedures to confirm that ASG is in compliance with the ADA.”