Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Prior to the approval of the House version of the $7.4 million supplemental budget bill on Tuesday, Tualauta faipule Larry Sanitoa called to address some of the many critical needs in the territory by re-appropriating $500,000 from the $1 million earmarked for the 75th Anniversary, while pointing to the FY2022 unspent funds in the Fono budget as a source for whatever other expenses the Fono needs to cover.

Sanitoa pointed out that the Fono's FY2023 budget is $9,116,500; and, that “this amount represents a $1 million increase from the Fono's FY2022 budget of $8,116,500.”

Further, he continued, House Bill 38-01 increases the Fono's FY2023 budget by $500,000 so that the "Legislative branch can address additional critical operational needs for the Legislature's operation that are not addressed in the FY2023 budget."

Sanitoa noted that the House also increases the Fono's FY2023 budget by $1,000,000 for the "Legislative Branch for its 75th” Anniversary commemoration.

 “Consequently, HB-38-01 brings the Fono's FY2023 budget to $10,611,500 million.

 “By comparison, this amount is larger than the FY2023 budgets for the Department of Public Safety ($5,855,500) and Department of the Port Administration combined.”

According to Sanitoa, the American Samoa Government's Financial Report as of September 30, 2022, as noted in the State of Territory Address by Gov. Lemanu P. S Mauga, reports that the Fono did not spend $603,997 of its FY2022 budget.

 “It should be known that there are many ongoing needs that should be addressed — ongoing problems with overtime for DPS and EMS First Responders; critical projects like the Tafuna and Eastside DPS substations and unfinished government projects like the Pavai'ai Elementary School Building, the Ili'ili Golf Course Building, etc.”

The Tualauta faipule said instead of increasing the FY2023 budget as proposed in House Bill 38-01, he hoped the Fono would consider reducing its request by the amount of the unspent FY2022 funds, while also re-appropriating funds to address some ongoing problems.

 “That is, instead of requesting an additional $500,000 to fund needs not addressed in the original FY2023 budget, it uses unspent funds of $603,997 from FY2022,” and “re-appropriates $500,000 from the $1 million earmarked for its 75th Anniversary to address some of the many critical needs I identified … and more.”

The FY2023 budget was approved on Tuesday, but without the support of lawmakers that include Sanitoa, Vesiai Poyer Samuelu and Ape Mike Asifoa.

And, the House approved the Senate’s version of the supplemental bill on Wednesday with four voting against it; Faipule Sanitoa, Manavaalofa Tutuila Manase, Vesiai Poyer Samuelu and Ape Mike Asifoa.

Likewise in the Senate there is still a voice of descent. In a vote of 15-1, the Senate approved in final reading last week the Administration’s $7.4 million Supplemental Budget for FY 2023.
Sen. Togiola T.A Tulafono cast the sole “no” vote. Before announcing the final vote, Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean asked Togiola if he maintains the “no” vote and Togiola reaffirmed his sole no vote for the legislation.