Three directors were confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday: Tauaisafune Niualama Taifane as Director of the Office of Budget Program Planning and Development, Tapusalaia Maneafaiga as Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation, and Nathan Ilaoa as Director of the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources.
The vote for the Budget Director was 11-5, for the Parks and Recreation Director was 14-2, and the vote for the DMWR Director was unanimous at 16-0.
Tauaisafune and Ilaoa are now cleared to serve on the Pula and Pulu cabinet, as they were unanimously approved by the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
Senator Gaoteote Palaie Tofau, who posed the first question to the Budget Director, said the Governor has a salary of $120,000 and the Lt. Governor’s salary is $100,000, while directors and executive assistants are earning $85,000- $90,00 or more. He asked Tauaisafune, if she would advise the governor that there should be a bigger gap between the salaries of the Governor and Lt. Governor and these other positions.
The Budget Director responded that she would give advice to the Governor but ultimately, the decision is up to him.
Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean said he didn’t have any questions about the nominee’s credentials, and noted that her qualifications were heavily in the education field. He asked if Tauaisafune had asked the Governor for this position and her response was in the negative. Tuaolo noted that Tauaisafune had worked tirelessly on the Pula and Pulu campaign as head of the campaign committee, and he would have thought that after the elections, she would be the first person to be given the opportunity to pick a government position she wanted.
Tauaisafune replied that she was involved in the campaign not because she wanted a government job, but because of her belief in Pula and Pulu’s ability to lead.
After the two leaders were elected, director positions were advertised and people had to apply. She said she wasn’t looking for a government position as she had a job at the time.
She added that although the Governor eventually offered her a position, he had also been in discussions with others, as well as the committee, so she waited. Her feeling was that if an opportunity was offered, that would be her calling.
Asked if she was involved in preparing the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, Tauaisafune said that after she was appointed she did talk with then-Acting Director of the Budget Office Aokuso Satia, and she helped with compilation of the budget.
Local revenues for the FY2026 budget are estimated at $141.2 million, according to an executive summary that has been sent to the Fono. Tuaolo asked if she had any contingency plans in the event this amount can not be reached. Tauaisafune said that, in consultation with the Treasurer and Governor, her office would work on ways to boost collection of revenues but did not elaborate.
Tuaolo noted that some members of her family have described her as a “very tough matai” and asked her to comment. The nominee apologized if this is how some of her family members feel. However, as a matai, her duty is to look after not just members of her clan, but also property. She added that she was a loving person, and a Christian.
Alataua Senator Noa Vae described Tauaisafune as one of the most devoted and dependable individuals of Alataua who has served her family, village, district and church faithfully. He also commended her service to rhe government and community. He believed that she was qualified for the position to which she has been appointed by the Governor.
Senator Tuanaitau Malaki pointed out that one of the executive advisors in the Governor’s Office was paid the same salary as the Lt. Governor and this wasn’t right. He asked the nominee to explain this disparity. Tauaisafune stated, “I don’t believe this was a right move by the Governor,” adding that if she is confirmed she will give advice to correct this.
Senator Togiola Tulafono observed that while local revenues have been reduced from $165 million in the current year budget to $141.3 million for FY2026, there was no provision to address the government’s unpaid debts. He said the 10% reduction in the budget ceilings for departments in the FY2025 budget have not been adhered to. He was concerned that the debts, including money owed to the Retirement Fund, will continue to climb and there’s no identified solution to address it. With just two months left in the current fiscal year, he said the administration had yet to propose any new revenue-generating measures.
According to the nominee, lawyers were lookin at whether ARPA funds can be used to pay the debt to the Retirement Fund. She said a supplemental appropriations bill was also considered, however, the Governor did not support this.
When asked whether a sales tax would be considered, she said it had been explored and, if confirmed, she would strongly advocate for implementing one.
