Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Lawmakers return today, Monday, for an additional 15-day special session, extended by Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga with the only issue on the agenda to revisit the final fiscal year 2021 budget, as the governor remains opposed to the $6.5 million in drastic cuts made by the Fono to the budgets for executive branch departments.

The Senate and the House will convene at their respective chambers at 9a.m. today, according to information provided to Samoa News from some lawmakers, who also say that the chambers will then hold a joint session an hour later.

Last week Thursday, House members met in the morning with House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale and about an hour or so later, Fono leaders met with the governor, regarding the FY 2021 budget, which the governor had returned to the Fono for further consideration while maintaining his stand on his initial budget submission to the Fono.

At last Friday’s cabinet meeting at the Gov. H. Rex Lee Auditorium, the governor spoke very briefly in Samoan about meeting with Fono leaders last Thursday and didn’t elaborate on details. The governor did tell cabinet members to give the Fono the opportunity to discuss the FY 2021 budget.

Lolo said he has already added another 15-days for the Fono special session as well as another 15-days for the government to operate under FY 2020 budget levels. After the 15-days, then there will be changes, Lolo said, adding that this was discussed with Fono leaders but — again — didn’t give details.

According to the governor, everything is going well between the two branches of government, saying that if there are any differences as a result of politics, or things like that, it happens on a daily basis but all “we must do is follow the law” which makes it easy to move forward with all plans.

It was after this meeting that the lawmakers were informed about today’s special session.

The Fono leaders had told the governor in an Oct. 13th letter that the Legislature is “not confident with your [revenue] projections” and has urged the governor to act on the final fiscal year 2021 budget bill now in his control. (See last Friday’s Samoa News edition for details.)

LEADERS AT EMERGENCY ROOM

At the start of his remarks, Lolo told cabinet members that Lt. Gov. Lemanu Palepoi Sialega Mauga was not present at the cabinet meeting because he was at the Emergency Room that morning but didn’t provide any other details.

Also at the ER, according to the governor, were Health director Motusa Tuileama Nua; Human and Social Service director Muavaefa’atasi John Suisala and DoH senior official Dr. Saipale Fuimaono.

Marine and Wildlife Resources director Va’amua Henry Sesepasara was still off island for medical reasons, the governor noted.

Lolo asked cabinet members to remember these government leaders in their prayers and advised directors not to let their job take over or control the strength and health of their bodies. He seemed to suggest that cabinet members take it easy and don’t overwork themselves.