FONO EXPEDITES PASSAGE OF HIKE IN RETIREE BENEFITS

The Fono has moved to expedite passage of a Lolo Administration bill, increasing by 0.5% the cost of living adjustments (COLA) benefits for retirees of the American Samoa Government.

The Senate endorsed the bill yesterday in a 12-0 vote, while the House approved the measure in second reading, with third reading set for next Monday.

The House vote followed a short House committee hearing earlier in the day with testimony from Retirement Office executive director Luatua Filisouaiga Ta’afua, who explained to lawmakers the reason for the proposal.

Also provided for the committee was an a Aug. 11 letter from Retirement Board chairman Fanene Morris Scanlan to Gov. Lolo Matalasi requesting that a bill be submitted to the Fono to hike the COLA, which is recommended to first be paid Oct. 1, 2014 and retroactive to Oct. 1, 2012.

 He also said the new proposed COLA increase was unanimously approved on July 10 by the board of trustees. Fanene pointed out that the last COLA increase was effective Oct. 1, 2012 and this benefit increase was signed into law in March of last year.

“Our actuary, Sage View Consulting, has estimated the actuarial accrued liability to increase by $638,242 and that the actuarially funded ration will drop from 79.9% to 79.4%,” Fanene said and noted that the current employer contribution of 8% of gross pay is considered adequate to maintain the pension trust in an actuarially sound financial position.

Included with Fanene’s letter was the Sage View actuary report, which is required by law when there are any proposed changes to the Retirement Fund statute.

SEN. FAUMUINA STATE FUNERAL NEXT WEEK

The Fono will bid farewell to their colleague the late Sen. Faumuina Tagisiaali’i in a state funeral next week. Faumuina passed away at the age of 70 at the Regency Hospital in Toledo, Ohio.

At yesterday’s session, Senate President Gaoteote Tofau Palaie announced that the body of the late senator is scheduled to arrive next Monday night from Honolulu and that senators are welcome to join the Fono leaders at the airport.

He also says the state funeral is scheduled for next week Thursday at the Fono Guest Fale, following a brief service at the LBJ chapel.

According to a family funeral announcement, a short service will be held at the Airport VIP lounge upon arrival and thereafter he will be transported to the LBJ morgue.  And after Thursday’s state funeral, he will be transported to the Tagisiaali’i Guest Fale in Leloaloa for Samoan traditional ceremonies and an overnight vigil.

The following day, Friday, will be the Burial Mass at the Immaculate Conception Parish in Lepua. He will laid to rest after the Mass at Malaepapa.

SENATOR COMNMENTS ON CONGESTED TRAFFIC IN BAY AREA

Sen. Mauga Tasi Ausega has called on the government to look at setting up more bus stops and shelters especially in the Bay Area because so many activities take place there. For example, on Thursday, traffic was crawling in front of Utulei Beach because of activities happening there.

What he has witnessed, said Mauga, is that when there is more than one bus at the bus stop/shelter to drop off passengers, it blocks traffic from moving as other buses are backed up blocking the roadway, waiting to off-load their passengers.

Mauga said this blocks the flow of traffic, delays students from getting to school, workers getting to their work place including lawmakers getting to the Fono for committee hearings.

He suggested that the Senate Public Safety Committee request the Police Commissioner to have police officers direct and monitor traffic in congested areas to ensure the smooth flow of traffic.

There was also a call on the Public Works Department to look at building additional bus stops/shelters.