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Fono digs in, returns budget ‘as is’ to governor and adjourns — again

House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale (left) and Senate President Gaoteote Palaie Tofau (rught)
First time in territory’s history Fono says they are unable to fund operations
fili@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Fono has returned to Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga the final fiscal year 2021 budget —  the same version passed by the Legislature last week, where $6.50 million in budget cuts were made to the Executive Branch.

Unhappy with the “drastic cuts” by the Fono to a majority of executive branch departments and offices, without an explanation, the governor called a Special Session of the Fono to convene for 15-days starting Monday this week to “reconsider” the FY 2021 budget.

And the Fono convened in a joint session, and on the same day reached a majority vote, that no changes would be made to what the Fono passed last week and sent the budget back to the governor — this time accompanied by a letter from Senate President Gaoteote Palaie Tofau and House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale.

“We have reached an impasse on the passage of the final budget of 2021 and its consequences are both devastating and far reaching,” wrote the Fono leaders wrote. “This turn of events is unprecedented and marks the first time in the territory’s history, from the administration by the federal government to the eventual local control, that we have been unable to timely fund our operations.

“This is unfortunate and we, again, implore you to approve the budget as it was presented by the Fono,” the Fono leaders wrote to the governor.

According to the Fono leaders, the Legislature set the funding for basic ASG operations at FY 2020 levels. And the only entity which saw a change from the FY 2020 was the Education Department whose budget increased by just over $2.86 million.

The only program which saw a change was the “Fono Building”, for which $500,000 was earmarked under the Special Programs, according to Fono leaders, who pointed out that this “funding supports the construction of a government building for offices” and not an increase in the Fono’s budget as the governor had described to the public.

(Samoa News understands the building for offices referred to in the letter are offices for lawmakers to be included in the construction of the new Fono building as there was no specific funding for this purpose, just the facility- where they would meet.)

The Fono leaders noted that the Fono has complied with the special session, with only the FY 2021 on the agenda.

“We remind you that the bill has been with you since Monday, Sept. 28th, awaiting your approval. We are unable to deliberate on a bill that has been duly passed and presented to you,” Fono leaders told the governor. “We appeal to your deep sense of fidelity to the process and respectfully ask you to make a final decision.”

The Fono leaders also informed Governor Lolo that “we hold great reservations on the validity” of the governor’s executive order which temporarily continues ASG operations for 15-days.

“Further, the Legislature cannot review a measure that has been duly passed and presented to the governor for review and approval,” the letter points out. “Returning the bill for additional review is not a procedural option available to either of our branches. We ask that you act on the budget which we timely transmitted.”

Fono leaders say the Legislature followed the governor’s call and sat for the special session.

“During our meeting, both chambers resolved to remain firm on their position on the budget bill. We will not further deliberate on the FY 2021 budget and we patiently await your final decision on its passage,” the Fono leaders said.