Ex Budget Chair Suggests Review of Old Fees & Charges

mdg-laolagi

Manu’a District Governor Laolagi Savali Vaeao is suggesting that the Revenue Task Force review old laws including those setting fees and charges for government services, and bring them up to date.

Laolagi, who was chairman of the Senate Budget and Appropriations as well as the House Appropriations Committee when he was a lawmaker, said government fees should reflect today’s cost of living.

He referred to the $25 fee for a business license which was only increased two years ago.

Laolagi thanked Governor Lolo for setting realistic goals in the new fiscal year budget and said in all the years he has been in the Fono, local revenues have never reached $100 million.

He asked the Revenue Task Force, chaired by the Attorney General, to review laws that are 30 or more years old and to take into account the cost of living.

Laolagi also pointed out that the government now owes contractor McConnel Dowell because of the government’s current financial situation.

He said this will also alert Fono leaders of the need to review some of these old laws and fees and amend them to accommodate the government’s current situation.

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