Governor will deliver State of the Territory address today in joint Fono session
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Lawmakers are convening today, Monday, in a joint session to open the First Regular Session of the 38th Legislature at Gov. Rex Lee Auditorium, with Gov. Lemanu P.S. Mauga set to deliver his State of the Territory Address.
The joint session is scheduled to begin at 10a.m with House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale, presiding over the opening, where Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean will deliver the Fono’s response to the Governor’s address.
In a memo last Friday, the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Loa Tuimavave T. Laupola informed cabinet members of today’s opening of the Fono, where the governor will address lawmakers.
“As members of the Cabinet, you are expected to attend in support of the Governor,” said Loa, who asked that cabinet members to arrive around 9:15a.m so they can be seated early due to siting limitation at the Lee Auditorium.
A sitting governor is mandated by law to deliver the State of the Territory Address at the second Monday of January. Among the important issues covered in the annual address is the ASG financial status in the past year and where it stands going forward.
And lawmakers are keen to learn from the governor where ASG stands on finances, including a forecast on the government’s financial status in the previous fiscal year 2022. With millions of dollars in COVID-19 federal funding, the Fono is keen to learn more on where the money was spent.
The governor would usually also share with lawmakers any proposed legislation that the Administration plans to submit for Fono review and approval.
In the past, the governor would hand out to lawmakers, his official written State of the Territory Address, which comes in a formatted-booklet, while a summary and highlights are presented during his verbal speech, which is usually delivered in Samoan. The written address is also submitted to the US Department of Interior.
ASG entities have already submitted to the Governor’s Office, summary reports outlining achievements of the past year, and proposed plans for the new year.