Rep. Faimealelei Sponsors Bill for Fono Salary Increase

fono-opens-pres-speaker

Another move is afoot in the Fono to raise the salaries of lawmakers.

A bill introduced Friday by Representative Faimealelei Anthony Allen would raise the annual compensation of a legislator from $25,000 to $45,000.

According to the bill, the annual salary of the Senate President and Speaker of the House would be increased from $30,000 to $50,000

The salaries of Senators and Representatives would be hiked form $25,000 to $45,000, while the pay of the Swains Delegate ould be doubled from $20,000 to $40,000.

In additon to their salaries, lawmakers also earn tax free expense allowances.

All of the Fono’s budget is funded with local monies.

Faimealelei’s bill does not identify a funding source for the proposed payhikes
.
Under the law, a sitting legislature cannot approve a payraise for themselves.

Thus the bill introduced Friday provides that the salary increases shall be effective on the first day of the next preceding legislature,

The bill has been assigned to the House Budget and Appropriations Committee, chaired by Rep Timusa Lam Yuen.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,