Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Senate has amended its bill that initially sought to increase the salaries for the Governor from $120,000 to $150,000 and Lt Governor from $100,000 to $120,000.

Instead the bill now seeks to amend the language of the bill to say that former Governor’s should receive 60 percent of monetary allowance to reflect the current salary of the Governor in office — and eliminated its move to increase the salary of the two government leaders.

This bill was approved in second reading with final reading before the Senate today.

During the hearing yesterday, Senate Pro-Temp, Magalei Logovi’i said the gist of the bill would see to it that retired Governor’s like Lolo Matalasi Moliga and Togiola T. A. Tulafono receive 60 percent of the current salaries of the Governor.

The Governor is currently making $120,000 per annum not including fringe benefits.

However Senator Satele Aliita’i Lelili’o said the move is inappropriate.

Adding that there should not be any increases of retirement salaries for the former governors.

Senator Togiola, who is currently receiving a retired Governor salary, also did not agree with the proposed bill.

 “I believe it is not right to increase the retirement check for the retired Governors. If the bill had outlined a cost of living adjustment, then it would be appropriate, but that is not the case.”

“Looking at our retirement system, when one retires, they retire and will receive their retirement check based on their position and years of service,” according to Togiola.

“But it does not stipulate that when the (person in the) same position receives a salary boost, the retired person will also receive an increase of their retirement check.

“Keeping in mind the funding used to pay these salaries are tax payers monies,” said Togiola.

He personally believes this is inappropriate.

Adding that this will not sit well with members of the public.

Another issue Togiola pointed out was the move to increase the salary of the Governor to $150,000 from $120,000.

He pointed out the Governor had a salary boost last year. “It’s only been a year since the last increase of his salary, from $100,000 to $120,000, it was done just recently therefore, I don’t agree with it.”

Togiola said the Senate should be looking at the salaries of the Chief Executive Officers of those working in the Semi-Autonomous agencies, such as the hospital, ASPA and the ASCC.

 “The Senate needs to put a cap on the salaries of these CEO’s. It is clear under the law that all Directors salaries cannot supersede the Governor or Lt Governor’s salaries. It started from the American Samoa Power Authority, and their board said they are Semi-Autonomous and independent.

 “The salary of the CEO was not more than the LT Governor, but with benefits their salary would be more than Lt Governor, defeating the whole purpose of the law,” said Togiola.

He said these are issues that should be addressed, not the increase of the salaries of the Governor and Lt Governor.

According to the amended bill under Article IV of the Revised Constitution of American Samoa, which outlines the duties and responsibilities of the elected Governor and Lieutenant Governor:

 “These duties and responsibilities require extensive measures of ensuring that proper actions and services are effectively provided to the people of the territory.

 “Since the outbreak of the pandemic, additional responsibilities and priorities of the government and leaders have shifted. These effects have increased the work load of our leaders in assessing and administering proper measures to safeguard our people.”

The bill further says as the primary leaders of our government, the governor and lieutenant governor serve to ensure that the greater good of the people are in place for the quality of life and service.

“The health and welfare of our people continues to be a priority of the government and the duties and responsibilities will continue to increase with the social and economic challenges of inflation and various diseases that reach our shores; and the current law mandates that each former governor is entitled to a monetary allowance of 60% based on their salary when in office.”

However, with the fluctuating cost of living it is fitting for this allowance to reflect the current salary of the Governor; and it is proposed that these amendments are to be effective in the next administration in 2026.