Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Senator Togiola TA Tulafono has cautioned the Senate President about pushing the “Legislature’s agenda”, by approving the government budget — bypassing standard procedures for budget hearings.

The former governor made the comments after the budget hearing Tuesday morning.

Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean asked the Speaker of the House, Savali Talavou Ale to make time to meet with Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga, about the half million dollars in budget funds slashed by the government.

 “The government should restore our funding of $500,000 that was cut from our budget and also increase the salaries for the lawmakers and if approved it will be effective at the next Legislative session.

“We should increase another $15,000 on top of their current salary, which is $25,000,” said Tuaolo.

Savali responded that while the President’s advice is admirable, they should review issues cited by the Senate President. “It’s not that I disagree on increasing salaries, but also factor in funding allocated for the government budget, then that will be considered.”

But Tuaolo took the floor and said why wait when they can make this happen, as soon as possible. “Our budget has been slashed,” said Tuaolo.

However, the Speaker of the House intervened and said it should be reviewed and there may be a reason why the Legislative Budget has been reduced.

 “Also to be considered are the proposed budgets for executive Departments that should be considered and there may be a reason why funding has been re-appropriated,” said Savali.

Senator Soliai Tuipine said now is the time to take action and if the governor agrees then the Legislature will approve the proposed budget right away.

 “It’s been 58 years since the Legislature received an increment of their salaries, yet we recently approved … that for the Governor and Lt Governor. We assumed he would do the same and increase our salaries, but obviously that is not happening, there is nothing in the proposed budget.

 “Go and meet with the Governor and once he agrees, then we will approve their budget,” reiterated Soliai.

The Senate President said he will be meeting with the governor on Wednesday to submit the resolutions of the Constitutional Convention and that will be an opportunity for them to address the issue on the Legislative Budget and to increase salaries for lawmakers.

Adding there are Senators that are hoping to travel hence the importance of approving the budget as soon as possible.

Senator Togiola took the floor and appealed to the lawmakers to have patience in dealing with the Executive Branch.

“We don’t need to please the governor with our work, as you know what we approve here will go back to the governor for his review and consideration. We should focus on the budget hearings for the respective Departments. I don’t agree with comments that when the governor does agree to make the changes for the benefit of the Fono, then we will approve their proposed budget.

“No, these types of gestures should not happen as the public is eyeing what happens in here and we shouldn’t push our agenda in order to approve the proposed budget.

 “We should continue with our budget hearings as scheduled with the House of Representatives, and make final decision on their budget, this is to ensure the public has faith in the work we are doing. This will ensure the public’s trust in your leadership of the Senate and the House,” said Togiola.

Adding that the Legislature is the people’s branch of Government, the Senator said and that is something the Legislative leaders should consider.

 “There is nothing wrong with meeting with the governor, but make sure it is done in a manner that is not questionable and will not jeopardize the integrity of the Legislative Assembly,” concluded Togiola.

Senator Tuiagamoa Tavai said the Senate President’s comments are not meant he will literally ask the lawmakers to approve the budget without going through the scheduled hearings.

Tuaolo again took the floor and stated that his earlier comments do not literally mean they will bypass the hearings.

 “No way, that will happen,” said Tuaolo.

BACKGROUND

Last year October, Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga signed into law a Fono approved bill, which originated from the Senate and increases the salaries of the governor and lieutenant governor, as well as raises the office expense allowance for lawmakers.

The Administration’s $12.65 million supplemental appropriation for FY 2022 included $1 million to the Legislature, with no explanation in the bill on how it’s to be used.

Lemanu informed Fono leaders in an Oct. 14 letter that this Senate bill was signed into law on the date of the letter. The governor didn’t give any other explanation or information in the letter.

The new law increases the salary of the governor from $85,000 to $120,000 and the lieutenant governor from $75,000 to $100,000 annually.

Justification of the pay hikes for the two leaders, according to the bill’s preamble, is that in addition to their regular duties and responsibilities, COVID-19 has increased their workload exponentially from managing the coronavirus task force, to dealing on a daily basis with the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to dedicating more support for the ASG Medicaid Office, the Health Department and LBJ Medical Center.

Current law sets allowances for lawmakers at $40,000 each for the Fono leaders and $30,000 for members — and the Fono can raise the allowance for a current sitting Legislature.

The new allowance for the Fono leaders is raised to $60,000 each for the Senate President’s and House Speaker’s allowances and hikes to $45,000 allowances for Fono members.

Justification for allowance increases, according to the bill’s preamble, is that lawmakers have additional challenges to their duties and responsibilities as the new Fono building is under construction and they do not have any offices where they can conduct meetings.

Additionally, lawmakers must find spaces in their homes or meet at restaurants in order to conduct businesses. “This arrangement necessitates additional expenses” for senators and faipule, the preamble states.

Current law also sets the annual salaries of lawmakers. It states that the salary of the Senate President and House Speaker is $30,000; salary for other members of the Fono is $25,000; while it’s $20,000 for the Swains Island Delegate.