Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

Committee to Wait on the President sits down with the Executive Branch

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): September 12, 2012 - This morning, the Committee to Wait on the President, as tasked by Speaker Isaac V. Figir yesterday, consulted with Vice President Alik L. Alik in the presence of Cabinet Members at the President's Conference Room, discussing priorities for the 5th Regular Session of the 17th FSM Congress, and other concerns.

Chairing the special committee was Senator David W. Panuelo with membership by Senator Yosiwo P. George, Senator Wesley W. Simina and Senator Joseph J. Urusemal.

Vice President Alik welcomed the committee and informed the Senators of President Mori's visit to the People's Republic of China with the expected return date of September 17.

The Vice President and Senators shared the understanding that the session should focus primarily on finalizing work on the fiscal year 2013 proposed budget, aiming for approval before October 1.

With input from FSM's Joint Economic Management Committee (JEMCO) members, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Mr. Lorin Robert and SBOC Director Ms. Evelyn Adolph, the leaders reviewed possible complications in the review of the compact-based budgets for State and National Governments given the delay of JEMCO meeting, especially if JEMCO would require additional inputs from any of the governments.

JEMCO will meet in Honolulu on September 19, giving the governments less than ten days to review and accept (or refuse?) the JEMCO-determined budgets, aside from other internally based processes.

On a more positive note, Vice President Alik raised the fact that the projected revenue of $41 million dollars for the current fiscal year has been reached a few days back, giving the administration confidence in its revenue projection performance and assured that a transmittal will be sent to Congress by the end of the week with a few necessary requests for consideration.

The Senators requested that a complete run-down on all pending foreign grants requiring Congressional action accompany the transmittal that the Vice President alluded to.

In closing, a few pending bills and resolutions were also highlighted including the Unified Revenue Administration related legislations, the National Trust Fund proposed bill, other treaties requiring ratifications, such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability, and remaining nominations for Cabinet posts and memberships on overseeing boards.

The leaders expressed mutual interest to collaborate further with the possibility of a lunch meeting on the 19th or 20th in lieu of a number of events in the very near future, not the least of which is the State and National Leadership Conference slated for the month of November at the margin of the FSM Donor Partners Meeting in Pohnpei State.