In meetings between Acting Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular Affairs Nikolao Pula and ASG leaders last week, the government financial condition was a priority item on the agenda.
Pula, who was attending the 2017 Flag Day celebrations stayed on till Friday night in order to have discussions with local leaders and also review projects that the Department of interior has funded in the territory.
Pula has been Acting Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs since the start of the Trump Administration.
met jointly with the governor and lt governor, The fono leaders and Congresswoman Aumua Amata. ‘
While in Washington DC two months ago, Governor Lolo had sought increased funding from Washington DC for basic government operations and infrastructure development.
For the last 20 or so years ASG has been receiving $23 million for basic operations and about $10 million for Capital Improvement Projects.
KHJ News understands that Pula informed the local leaders that until key positions in the Department of Interior that deal with the territories are appointed, funding will be uncertain.
The DOI official is said to have recommended that leaders consider laying off more than 500 employees.
Meanwhile, this is the 3rd week since ASG employees have been on reduced work hours due to a combination of collections not meeting projections, and delays in the release of federal funding.
When it was first announced, the reduction in hours was planned to be across the board and the only exceptions were doctors, nurses and teachers.
However contract employees, both the standard two-year contracts and short term contracts have been added to the exempted list.
While the salaries of the governor and lt governor are set by law, they have opted to face a 10 hour pay cut.
Directors are also on contract but are also on the 10 hour reduction.
