The role of executive directors and executive advisors in the Governor’s Office came under scrutiny at a hearing of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee on Wednesday.
The witnesses were Treasurer Donald Kruse, Director of Human Resources Titiaoalii Dr. Asenati –Saau Umi and Deputy Director of Budget Aukuso Satia.
Responding to questions from Senator Magalei Logovii, the Human Resources Director said there are two executive directors and 6 executive advisors in the Governor’s office at the present time
Executive advisors have been assigned to different departments that they help with, and also provide advice to the Governor. The two executive directors are paid $80,000 and the executive advisors are paid $75,000 with the exception of one who is paid $100,000.
When asked for the justification of this executive advisor being paid more than the Lt. Governor, the director said the Governor made the decision about the salary because of the advisor’s duties and responsibilities on financial matters.
Senator Togiola Tulafono asked the HR director if she has seen and approved the job descriptions of the executive directors and advisors. And the answer was yes.
As an example of the work of the executive advisors, Titiaoalii said the advisor for Human Resources has helped resolve salary increments which has been a major complaint from employees. The advisor has been meeting with departments to find out why they haven’t provided the information for processing of salary increments.
Togiola said it seemed that the executive advisors are performing the work of directors. According to the DHR Director, they are more like “runners” helping the director.
Togiola came back, “If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, it must be a duck.”
Togiola questioned Treasurer Kruse if he also has to go through an executive advisor. Kruse said the Governor is his boss, and the Governor has the final authority. But, he also has a role to give advice to the Governor. Kruse said his personal opinion is that the layer of executive directors and advisors is not compliant with the law which provides that directors form the Governor’s cabinet. He said what’s happening now is that the executive directors and advisors serve as the cabinet. The Treasurer added that this is a matter he feels should be resolved in the early stages of the administration.
Togiola pointed out that these 8 positions are not included in the FY2025 budget for the Governor’s Office, and asked the Deputy Director of Budget Aukuso Satia how these salaries are being paid.
Satia referred to Governor Pulaalii’s statement at the opening of the Fono in January that there will be a reshuffling of positions in the Governor’s Office and its his interpretation that the creation of these new positions is what the governor meant. He added that the salaries are being paid from other openings in the Governor’s Office budget.
KHJ News points out that Governor Pula had said in his speech to the Fono, 220 positions were approved in the Governor’s Office budget, however, they will be repositioning certain programs and personnel to improve “efficiency, collaboration and alignment.”
Satia also said that in comparison to the number of employees in the Governor’s Office of the past administration, there are fewer employees in the present administration but the salaries are higher.
The Treasurer and Budget Director gave some positive news of government finances. Whereas $28 million was collected in local revenues for the first quarter, $34 million is the total collected so far for the second quarter.
The treasurer also announced that the next batch of tax refund checks should be released on Friday.
Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean asked about the case of the former director of the Criminal Justice Planning Agency, who is now deputy director of the same office.
The HR Director said the position of deputy director for CJPA was advertised and the former director applied for the position and she was hired.
Senator Atualevao Asifoa has asked for a list of political employees from the former administration who received payouts and have been rehired.
At the end of the hearing the Treasurer expressed disappointment with the publication of payouts for political appointees. He said the list had been prepared by Treasury for the Fono, and he does not know how it got out. He said the media should have waited until after “due process” to come and ask questions, instead of just publishing the list of recipients.
