Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The first public outreach program spearheaded by the government on the veto override referendum that will be on the Nov. 6, 2018 general election ballot was held at the Office of Samoan Affairs conference room recently, and Secretary of Samoan Affairs, Mauga T. Asuega was present.

ASG Office of Political Status, Constitution and Federal Relations executive director Tapaau Dr. Dan Aga made a presentation in Samoan on the veto override; he also provided background information on the current law and Constitution, which gives the US Secretary of Interior the authority to override a veto by the governor.

The referendum seeks to have that authority given to the Legislature.

Besides a prepared handout to participants, Tapaau also spoke about the concerns and objections people have raised, and among them, an amendment to American Samoa's Constitution would change our political status and removal of the Secretary of Interior could hurt US Interior Department funding to American Samoa.

Other concerns:

• The Senate and the statement by a former leader "We need to democratize all the functions of our democracy and not just parts of it",  and how this has become a wedge issue.  That the central reason for this is checks and balances and self-determination.

• The people's relationship with the Fono. Tapaau gave examples of people’s responsibilities and actions the Fono could take to build greater trust in the Fono. These actions would be based on the four democratic values or principles: transparency, access, accountability, and fairness.

• The concerns with taking our Constitution to the US Congress for approval when and if there are amendments from American Samoa.