26 Sep 2011

American Samoa budget passes House and Senate

8:42 am on 26 September 2011

The American Samoa House and Senate have passed in final reading their respective versions of the Fiscal Year 2012 budget of more than 300 million US dollars.

The house bill which is the one that will be sent to the governor for signing is expected to clear the Senate in 3rd reading on Wednesday.

It will then be given to the Governor's Office almost immediately as only days are left before the new fiscal year starts on October the 1st.

The final budget amount is the same as was proposed by the administration however a handful of departments have been given additional funding while spending for others under Special Programs has been cut.

The Fono approved just a four month budget for the American Samoa Power Authority of just over 30 million US dollars and wants the authority to return in January for the rest of the year's funding.