Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA

Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga is scheduled to address lawmakers in a joint session when Fourth Regulation Session of the 37th Legislature opens Monday, at 10a.m. at the Gov. 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 will met 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 requested 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 will deliver special remarks Monday.

Any updates and more details in Monday's issue.