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JUST ASKING...

Does a former governor — for example, former Gov. Togiola Tulafono — get any monetary government allowance?

 

SAMOA NEWS ANSWERS:

 

The answer is “Yes” and Samoa News has received several inquiries — both from local and off-island readers — on this same issue since the Lolo administration took office on Jan. 3 this year.

 

Local law states that “Each former governor shall be entitled, for the remainder of his life, to receive from the American Samoa Government a monetary allowance at the rate per annum of 60% of his highest salary during his last year in office, payable monthly by the treasurer of American Samoa Government.”

 

(When Togiola stepped down as governor, his last salary was $85,000 annually).

 

However, such allowance is not payable for any period during which such former governor holds an appointive or elective office or position in or under the American Samoa Government or the Federal Government to which is attached a rate of pay other than a nominal rate, according to local law.

 

The law, however, does not provide any allowance for a former lieutenant governor.