Governor Lolo Moliga denies that he is trying to take over the appropriations authority of the Fono.
He explained that he cannot sign the budget bill without understanding where the Fono’s budget cuts are being made and without an explanation on the rationale behind those cuts.
According to the governor the budget bill that he was presented with does not list the specific object classes of the budgets that the Fono reduced.
“I need to know where he more than $6 million that the Fono slashed from the budget comes from,” he told KHJ News.
The governor said the FY2021 budget includes the salaries of employees and the new salary levels for high school graduates of $12,000 and AA degree holders of $16,000 are factored in. Starting salaries for police officers of $16,000 are also included.
“If the Fono is reducing the budget for salaries of ASG employees I want an explanation to that effect so I can inform the employees affected,” he stated.
Lolo said the executive order he issued last night continues government operations for 15 days while he’s called a special session of the Fono to come up with a budget that can sign.
He denied that he is trying to take away the appropriations authority of the Fono, but said he cannot sign the bill that was presented to him without the details he’s mentioned.
The governor met with the Senate President and Speaker of the House this morning.
He said the Fono leaders indicated that it would be very hard to get senators and representatives to attend a special session and there might not even be a quorum.
But he said he told them that is not his problem. He has exercised his authority to call a special session when one is needed and he believes with the current budget predicament, a special session is warranted.
