Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga is scheduled to address lawmakers in a joint session when the Fourth Regulation Session of the 37th Legislature opens today, Monday, at 10a.m. at the Gov. H. Rex Lee Auditorium, with cabinet members informed to be in attendance.

Some lawmakers told Samoa News last Friday morning of being informed by the Fono leaders about the joint session and that senators and faipule would meet around 8a.m. today in the House lounge prior to the start of the session.

However, there was no official confirmation at press time if it’s the governor who issued announcement of the joint session to Fono leaders.

A sitting governor is obligated under local law to address a joint session of the Fono on the second Monday in January each year to deliver the State of the Territory. However, he can request a joint session to convene, at the start of each Regular Session throughout the year.

The only mention of a joint session from the Lemanu-Talauega Administration was through a July 8 memorandum from the governor’s chief of staff, Tuimavave Tauapa’i Laupola to cabinet members, that Lemanu would deliver special remarks today.

“As members of the cabinet, you’re expected to attend in support of the governor,” Tuimavave informed cabinet members, who were also told to arrive at Lee Auditorium no later than 9:30a.m as seating may be limited.

The proposed Fiscal Year 2023 budget — which begins on Oct. 1, 2022 — is the priority agenda item for this time of the year, and lawmakers are hoping that the annual budget is submitted early giving the Fono time to review, hold hearings and make a final decision.

The lawmakers who spoke briefly with Samoa News last week would also like to see a complete spending report of the millions of dollars in federal COVID-19 related money allocated to American Samoa.

Additionally, they would like to see the latest updated report on local revenues collected and spent so far for current fiscal year 2022 compared to the previous financial year. Lawmakers plan to request specific financial reports on ASG spending in FY 2022 prior to any budget hearings.

The ASG’s Office of Program Planning and Budget had given directors a May 13 deadline to submit their budget proposals, but the budget-call-letter made no mention of a ceiling amount, which departments and agencies are to maintain for the new fiscal year. (See Samoa News edition Apr. 25 for details.)

There’s been no advance information from the Administration of proposed bills to be submitted to the last and final session of the current Legislature, but one issue that many local tax payers are looking forward to is quick passage by the Fono of any proposal from the governor to establish in local law the new Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) — funded by the federal government.

ASG Treasury announced early last month plans to submit for Fono approval the EITC legislation when lawmakers convene this month. Upon passage by the Fono and approval of the governor, Treasury plans to disburse and distribute to eligible and qualified taxpayers their EITC’s by September 2022.

“Perhaps this should be a priority bill for the Administration to send to the Fono right away. And for the Fono to act on it as soon as possible,” said a mother of four children, who works in the private sector. And the same message was echoed by others who were reached by phone last week, who believe this additional federal money is helpful to many residents, especially low-income earners.

As part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 passed by the U.S Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden, American Samoa was allocated $16 million for eligible taxpayers, provided the territory passes local legislation to adopt the EITC.

Meanwhile, Samoa News understands that several lawmakers are interested in the proposed legislation or information on two new Executive Branch entities, established in separate executive orders issued by the governor: American Samoa Corrections Agency and the American Samoa Search and Rescue Agency.

As previously reported by Samoa News, both entities became effective July 1, under the executive orders, until appropriate legislation is enacted into law, establishing these two agencies.

And the 20-elected House members are looking forward to completing the required 45-session days, under current law, as early as possible, giving those seeking re-election time to begin full-on campaigning for the Nov. 8 mid term election.

However, the Fono may call a mid-session recess next month to allow lawmakers to take part in the 2022 Constitutional Convention directed by the governor to convene from Aug. 29 to Sept. 2.