SENATE AND HOUSE APPROVE THEIR RESPECTIVE  FY 2015 BUDGETS

Both the Senate and the House yesterday approved in final reading their respective versions of the fiscal year 2015 budget of $424.48 million, with just one major amendment. The Senate vote was 15-0 and the House 19-0.

The two chambers now go through the usual protocol of approving each other’s budget version before one budget bill is sent to  Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga for his review and consideration.

The only amendment made to the final budget slashed $65,000 from the American Samoa Visitors Bureau budget and reallocated that money to the Governor’s Office budget to pay for the proposed pay hikes of the governor and lieutenant governor.

The Visitors Bureau’s original budget proposal was $900,000, now reduced to $835,000, while the Governor’s office budget proposal has increased by $65,000 to $5.63 million.

Pay increases for the two top leaders of the Executive Branch — hiking the governor’s pay from $85,000 to $125,000 and lieutenant governor from $75,000 to $100,000 — is outlined in a separate House bill still pending in the House Budget and Appropriations Committee.

Also pending in the same committee is the Senate bill increasing across the board by $10,000 a year, the annual office allowance of Fono members.

RESOLUTION FOR LATE SEN. FAUMUINA APPROVED

Senators yesterday unanimously endorsed a Senate Concurrent Resolution conveying the “deepest and most sincere condolence” of the Fono and the people of American Samoa to Mrs. Jane Agnes Foster Faumuina and the Faumuina family on the passing of Sen. Faumuina Tagisiaali’i, who passed away last month in Toledo, Ohio.

Sponsored by Senate President Gaoteote Tofau Palaie, the resolution— which goes to the House today for their endorsement— also pays tribute to the life and faithful service of the late senator to his family and the people of American Samoa.

The resolution notes that Faumuina had served in the House for two consecutive terms from 1971 to 1975. He had also served for six years as village mayor for Leloaloa and Maoputasi county chief, before he took up the senate post in January last year.

The resolution covers Faumuina’s many years of service in the private sector, educational background, his service in the Fono, government boards and commissions and in the community.

“Sen. Faumuina provided an ideal representation of our leaders today as reflected in his successful lifetime of achievements and his sense and ability to provide for his family, church, village and the Territory,” the resolution states.

“His passing represents a great loss not only for his loved ones but for American Samoa and it is proper to pay appropriate tribute to the life work of this husband, father, grandfather and statesman,” it says.

Faumuina’s remains arrived last night from Honolulu with a state funeral set for this Thursday at the Fono Guest Fale.  He will be laid to rest the following day after the final funeral service. (See Monday's Samoa News edition for funeral program.)

HOUSE APPROVES ‘COLA’ HIKE FOR RETIREES

Durning yesterday’s session, the House gave unanimous approval to its version of an administration bill which increases by 0.5% the cost of living adjustments (COLA) for retirees of the American Samoa Government.

The House version now goes to the Senate for approval and it's expected to be done before the end of this week. 

Meanwhile, the Senate version of the bill was introduced yesterday in the House, which is expected to expedite approval this week.

If enacted into law, the COLA hike will first be paid Oct. 1, 2014 and retroactive to Oct. 1, 2012.  The increase in monthly benefits covers 90% of ASG retirees.

LAWMAKER THANKS DPS FOR POLICE ASSISTANCE

Police officers were dispatched yesterday morning to assist with the flow of traffic at the main road in Nu’uuli and the Airport road, as students headed to Manulele Elementary School.

Rep. Larry Sanitoa, in a letter yesterday to Police Commissioner William Haleck, expressed thanks to Chief of Police Vaimauga Maiava for taking immediate action to a request sent earlier last week regarding patrol officers presence at the intersection by the Airport Road and main road (Route 1) in front of Lai'ititi Tago's home in Nu’uuli.

Sanitoa said the issue was addressed a year ago but again parents and motorists have expressed concern for Manulele Elementary school children safety when using the crosswalk at the busy Nu’uuli/Airport intersection to get to and from school.

"It was quite pleasing to see patrol officers at the intersection assisting students at the crosswalk and hope this will continue daily until school is in recess or at least when the road construction to the Airport route is completed,” Sanitoa wrote. In the same letter he thanked DPS for identifying and apprehending the culprits responsible for the series of break-ins in Ottoville housing which were reported in May of this year.