A new detailed revenue collections report from the American Samoa Treasury Department - covering the first quarter of fiscal year 2014 - shows a shortfall of over 4 million US dollars in revenue collections.
This has caused concern among lawmakers, who want to hear from government Treasurer, Dr. Falema'o 'Phil' Pili, when he returns from his off-island travel.
If the trend from the first quarter continues, the government is looking at a shortfall of close to 18 million dollars at the end of the fiscal year, which closes on September the 30th.
House of Representative member, Larry Sanitoa, says this is a serious shortfall issue that has to be explained by the government.
He says lawmakers had argued at last year's annual budget hearings that revenue projections were excessive but the Treasurer had disagreed.
