The American Samoa Governor, Togiola Tulafono, has told lawmakers that the additional 150,000 US dollar he is seeking for the Future Political Status study commission is necessary to complete the commission's work.
The commission already has 200,000 dollars to carry out its work, but a bill sent to the Fono would increase the total funding for the commission to 350,000 dollars.
The governor said in a letter to Fono leaders that the commission is mandated by law to provide a thorough and meaningful report.
In order to achieve this he said, the Commission must engage in fact finding, not only in American Samoa but in other possessions and territories of the United States.
The commission has just returned from Palau, Guam and the Northern Marianas and will be heading to the US west coast soon.
