3 Oct 2017

Lolo vetoes Legislature budget increase

7:49 pm on 3 October 2017

The governor of American Samoa Lolo Moliga has vetoed a $US500,000 increase to the Legislature's operating budget.

Lolo Matalasi Moliga at his State of the Territory address.

Lolo Matalasi Moliga at his State of the Territory address. Photo: RNZI / Monica Miller

He took the step last Friday when signing the territory's budget for the 2018 fiscal year into law.

The Fono had recommended the increase while reducing the local road maintenance subsidy, a law enforcement subsidy for building repairs, and maintenance and equipment purchases for the Western District Youth Multi Purpose Building.

The veto meant the Fono's budget for 2018 $US6.9 million, with the territory's budget at $US394.7 million.

The governor said departments of the executive branch had undergone cuts ranging from eight to 20 per cent and increasing the Legisalture's budget would have been contrary to efforts to create sustainable government.

He also said the cuts the Fono made to the special programmes was disconcerting.

He said the programmes were critical to public safety, maintenance of the highways and development of the youth.