FSMIS (January 9,
2014): After the
Federated States of Micronesia Eighteenth Congress passed a number of
Congressional Acts during the last special session, President Manny Mori took
the time to review the Acts during the Christmas and New Year season and made
his decisions.
First among the list is Congressional Act No. 18-25 which was
signed into law as Public Law No. 18-24
on December 13, 2013. The Act is an appropriation of $225,000 to assist with
humanitarian relief efforts for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Republic
of the Philippines,Republic of Palau, the FSM State of Yap, and the Socialist
Republic of Vietnam. President Mori wrote to Speaker Doshis Halbert regarding
the appropriation stating: "I am pleased that Congress has taken the
initiative to appropriate funding for humanitarian assistance to the affected
neighboring areas as a result of typhoon Haiyan which has swept through these
areas and has left impact and devastation to the essential services, property
and life".
On January 2, 2014, President Mori signed into law an Act
that clarifies the modifications to the Compact Funds distribution formula
among the National Government and the State Governments as previously modified
by Public Law No. 18-12. This new law, PL
No. 18-25, specifies the distribution formula does not apply to the
Supplemental Education Grant under the Compact.
On the same day, President Mori approved Congressional Act
No. 18-32, which has become Public Law
18-26. This law appropriates an amount of $1,889,072 as a supplemental
budget for some of the budget line items requested by the President before the
2nd Special Session started. The amount also includes $200,000 evenly split
among the Congressional delegation offices to fund contractual services. A
provision in the law allows up to $25,000 from this Delegation Offices'
supplemental budget to be used for Members' representation funds "at the
discretion of each office".
In his transmittal letter to Speaker Halbert regarding the
supplemental budget, President Mori expressed that he signed the legislation
"with reservation". The appropriation "lacks the flexibility to
provide funding for targeted projects that will accelerate economic growth in
the near term" , he stated, and ignores other funding requests for what
the President considers as "critical priorities", especially in
preparation for expected fiscal challenges in fiscal year 2023. He also pointed
out that allowing funds to be "discretionarily utilized" for purposes
other than its specific use lacks transparency.
On January 3, 2014, President Mori signed into law
Congressional Act No. 18-24, which has become Public Law No. 18-34 and is known as the Federated States of
Micronesia Climate Change Act. The Act creates legal obligations for
departments and offices in the implementation of the Integrated Disaster Risk
Management and Climate Change Policy promulgated in December 2009 and further
strengthens the mainstreaming of activities and policies in implementing
climate change and disaster management framework of actions.
"I thank Congress for passing the Federated States of
Micronesia Climate Change Act. Establishing a national policy in the area of
climate change is essential in protecting our nation and furthering the
interests and well-being of our people."
Finally, seven public laws were transmitted to Congress on
January 6, 2014, which have become laws pursuant to Article IX Section 22 of
the FSM Constitution.
These laws are P.L.
18-27, P.L. 18-28, P.L. 18-29, P.L. 18-30, P.L. 18-31, P.L. 18-32 and P.L.
18-33.
All of the laws concern "public projects and social
programs" whose funds were previously appropriated by Congress.
Specifically, the seven laws make further changes to previous appropriations in
terms of their use and allottees in certain States.
In his transmittal letter, President Mori alluded to some
"common characteristics" among the measures that weaken clear
justifications and make funds tracking and project implementation difficult.
"It would be most helpful if Congress would set a policy
limiting to a maximum of only three amendments per Act in order to avoid
problems" -- the problems outlined refer to repeated changes to the
initial appropriation laws.
The President concluded the Executive Branch's work on the
new laws and transmitted them to Congress.
For further
information, call 320-2548 or email fsmpio@mail.fm.
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