Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga has called a Special Session of the Fono to convene for up to 15 days, with the main agenda to revisit the fiscal year 2021 budget, which the governor has not signed but instead issued an executive order allowing the government to operate on FY 2020 budget levels for 15-days for now.

Finalizing the special session, which starts next week Monday, comes following a meeting yesterday between the governor and Fono leaders where the FY 2021 budget — reduced by the Fono by $6.5 million down to the final budget total of $459.45 million — was discussed.

The governor submitted the proposed $459.45 million budget and he was not pleased that the Fono made “drastic cuts” to a majority of executive branch departments and offices, without an explanation. (See yesterday’s Samoa News edition for details.)

The Governor’s Office as well as three lawmakers confirmed the special session and the Senate and House budget committee chairmen were tasked with identifying areas were the cuts were made.

Instead of signing the drastically reduced Fono approved budget for FY 2021, which began at 12:01a.m. yesterday, the governor issued an executive order to continue funding and operations of the American Samoa Government under fiscal year 2020 budget levels.

It is “imperative to maintain government operations, especially as the territory is in the midst of a state of emergency,” said Lolo in his order, dated 6:35p.m on Sept. 30th, and released that evening by the Governor’s Office.

Lolo also says that he has called a special session of the Fono to finalize the FY 2021 budget. Additionally, the executive order is intended to only be temporary in nature and limited to maintain only the current levels of operations until the budget has been formally adopted.

Lolo ordered that ASG operations, including all departments, agencies and semi autonomous agencies, are to continue at FY 2020 budgetary levels utilizing funds not otherwise appropriated, for 15-days or until the formal budget or other appropriation measures are adopted.

“No expenditures for projects or activities in excess of FY 2020 levels may be made by any instrumentality of the government,” according to the order, which is effective immediately, and cites provisions of both the constitution and local law, that grants the governor the powers and authority to issue such an order.