Fono leaders
consider ending special session tomorrow
by Fili Sagapolutele
and La Poasa
Samoa News reporters
Fono leaders
announced yesterday during their respective sessions a plan to
end the current session of the Fono tomorrow if the Administration
does not submit the rest of the measures on the agenda for the
special session.
The military
absentee voting bill and the confirmation of Tufele Li'amatua
as a member of the LBJ Medical Center Authority board are the
only two issues on the agenda already addressed by the Fono.
The military voting bill was already pending in the Fono from
last month when the special session convened Monday.
What has yet
to be transmitted to the Fono are the legislation to address
teacher reclassification, copyright for the Festival of the Pacific
Arts, and the appropriation measure for the hospital to address
repayment for the Medicare program.
House Speaker
Savali Talavou Ale said if by today the Fono does not receive
the proposals scheduled for review for the special session, then
he will meet with Senate President Lolo M. to plan to end the
session on Friday.
Lolo told senators
yesterday that one of the measures to be submitted is 50 pages
long and the Fono legal team will need time to thoroughly review
any legislation before it is officially introduced in both chambers.
Sen. Salanoa
Aumoeualogo requested the Fono leaders to reconsider ending the
session early. He said the governor called a 10-day special session
and the Fono should abide by it. He added if the bills come in
and there is not enough time to review them, then they can be
tabled until July when the 4th Regular Session convenes.
Lolo said the
Fono leadership will make a decision today on whether or not
to end the special session tomorrow.
Reach Fili
Sagapolutele at fili@samoanews.com.
Reach La Poasa at la@samoanews.com.
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