|
Governor to address joint session when Fono reconvenes next month
Governor Togiola Tulafono has accepted an invitation to address the Fono’s joint session when the local Legislature reconvenes for the 4th regular session on July 14.
(Under local law, the Governor is mandated to address the opening of the Fono on the second Monday in January only, meaning he is not obligated to address the Legislature throughout the year unless there are issues for which the Fono seeks an explanation from the Chief Executive).
The Fono leadership wants the Governor to address the joint session to address any pressing measures the Administration may need the Fono to look at during the regular session. Fono leaders believe that the Administration needs to submit to the Fono, sooner than later, any proposed bills that require legislative consideration so there is enough time to discuss them.
Some of the proposed measures expected to be submitted and reviewed during the upcoming regular session is the appropriation of $1 million to be allocated from the $20-million-dollar loan from the ASG Employees’ Retirement Fund, to buy school buses for the local Department of Education.
(Two days ago, the Governor announced that 10 new school buses have been ordered for DOE. The order includes four 84-passenger buses that will be here in time for the hosting of the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts on July 20th. The other six buses are smaller and will arrive by the start of the new school year).
Also on the list of discussions for the Fono is the fiscal year 2009 budget which begins on Oct. 1, 2008.
Other topics will also be addressed, including the lack of ocean transportation for the Manu’a Islands. The MV Sili is currently dry docked and the Governor has contracted the Fotu o Samoa from the independent state to carry much needed supplies and cargo, as well as passengers to Manu’a.
(Meanwhile, the Governor has requested the Department of Port Administration to thoroughly prepare the Manu’atele III to provide service to the Manu’a Islands. According to the Governor, if the Manu’atele III is sea worthy, and is approved to sail to Manu’a, then the boat will be scheduled to travel there on a regular basis).
Lastly, the Fono’s agenda will likely include the issue of flooding in the Fagaima and Ottoville areas, an issue that has been raised – more than once – by the head of the local Catholic Church, Bishop Vaopunimatagi John Quinn Weitzel.
The Department of Public Works is being requested by the Governor to assess how best to address this problem.
|
