The proposed Fiscal year 2021 budget for ASG was already at the Print Shop but had to be revised to include the new salaries that the governor set for high school and American Samoa Community College graduates entering the workforce.
High school graduates will begin at $12,000 and ASCC graduates will earn a starting salary of $16,000.
Budget Director Catherine Saelua said at Monday’s cabinet meeting, directors have to submit their paperwork to the Department of Human Resources for employees in this category to receive these salaries.
She that the new salaries have been incorporated into the new fiscal year budget. In addition several requests from directors were also included.
The budget total for the Executive, Judiciary and Fono, excluding the semi autonomous agencies like LBJ Hospital, ASTCA, ASPA and ASCC is 13% higher than the current year budget of $421.48 million.
According to the Budget Director the budget for Special Programs is down by 11% compared to this year’s budget.
Governor Lolo Moliga told directors that the proposed budget for 2021 is compiled very differently from previous years. The aim is to inflate the budget total, so that the incoming governor can avoid violating the anti deficiency law.
He also explained that since they took office their goal has been to raise the salaries of the ASG workforce.
He was happy that the new salary levels for high school and ASCC graduates rewards students and recognizes the work of local educators.
