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Governor submits $6.6 m bill to pay Laufou fire ruling
Tuesday,
July 15, 2008
The first administration bill to be submitted to the Fono is an appropriation measure of $6.6 million to pay a court ruling against ASG for losses from the Laufou Shopping Center Fire.
According to the bill, the source of funding to pay the judgment are unbudgeted and unexpended funds for fiscal year 2008 and any subsequent fiscal year until the amount has been fully paid. The Trial Court ruled last year that it was through the negligence of fire fighters that a small fire was allowed to consume the Laufou center. It ordered ASG to pay $6.6 million plus post judgment interest to Progressive Insurance Company. The bill will have to wait until the Fono resumes on August 4 to be introduced. Governor Togiola Tulafono had listed several administration bills to be submitted during this final session of the Fono.
But this was the only new bill that was received by the Fono today. In the House Rep Mase Akapo Akapo enquired about the status of a senate bill which would grandfather doctors already working at the LBJ by December 21 of last year, from the requirement that all physicians sit and pass the United States, Medical Licensure Examination. Chairman of the health Committee Rep Paopaoailua Fiaui said that the fono attorney is making changes to the bill and would be ready for review when the Fono returns form the two week break.
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