Date set for public forum regarding referendum ballot
Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at 9 a.m. is the date and time that has been set by the leaders of the local Legislature to hold a public awareness forum where they will explain to the public their stance on the referendum ballot which will be voted on during the November 4 general election.
The ballot question asks: “Should Article II, Section of the Revised Constitution of American Samoa be revised to give the Fono, rather than the Secretary of the US Department of Interior, the power to override the Governor’s veto?”
The referendum seeks to revise the American Samoa Constitution and if approved, it will allow the Fono to override the Governor’s veto without approval from the Interior Secretary.
Currently, the AS Constitution provides that after a bill has been vetoed by the Governor, the veto may be passed over by a two-thirds majority of the entire Fono membership no later than 14 days. The bill is then forwarded to the Governor for his approval. If approval is not granted within 15 days, the Governor is to send the bill, along with his comments, to the Secretary of the Interior.
If the Interior Secretary approves the bill within 90 days after receiving it, the bill becomes law; otherwise, it doesn’t.
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