The Chuuk State Legislature recently passed Act 17-24, a controversial proposal to increase salaries by $55,000 and expense allowances by $11,000 respectively — raising each legislator’s monthly compensation by $5,500. The bill was vetoed by Governor Alexander R. Narruhn, who cited concerns about inequality, noting that the legislation excluded other public officials such as directors, deputy directors, and members of the Judiciary. The governor also raised red flags about the state’s financial capacity to sustain the increase. The veto sparked widespread debate, with vocal reactions on social media from Chuukese citizens and activists across the globe. Public comments criticized the lawmakers for prioritizing their own compensation over unresolved financial obligations to municipal governments and long-standing issues like minimum wage and infrastructure. The proposed raise, many argued, should be put to a public vote as mandated by the Chuuk State Constitution.
About two months ago, a bill was sent to the Governor of Chuuk to pass it into law. Gov. Alexander R. Narruhn rejected the bill and sent it back to the lawmakers. He then alerted the President and the Speaker of the Senate, Arno H. Kony and Lester D. Mersai, via social media that their bill was vetoed because of its nature of inequality. He said the Judiciary Department, the directors and deputy directors were not included; thus, the bill’s unequal treatment of persons.
“It is with respect that I herewith return this Act 17-24, which I have disapproved, pursuant to section 14 (a), Article V of the Chuuk State Constitution,” Gov. Narruhn also said.
Act 17-24, which started in 2024, proposes an increase in salary and expense allowance of the members of the Chuuk State Legislature up to $55,000 and $11,000 per person annually. It is an increase of $5,500 total per person, per month.
“In addition,” said Narruhn, “we need to consider our financial status if we can sustain this additional expenditure which is recurrent in nature, and to be in alignment with our commitment made during the Chuuk State leadership conference.”
There has been a very tense and well-documented Chuuk State Leadership Summit dating back to 2004, during Gov. Ansito Walter’s administration, in which the Chuuk state leaders bullied municipal leaders into rerouting thousands of dollars earmarked for the municipalities that the state would repay at a later date. However, the Chuuk State Legislators—most of whom were in office—supposedly reconvened again and overturned the bill.
Fast-thinking Gillian Doone, Federated States of Micronesia public auditor, intercepted the communication and pinged the Chuuk Department of Administrative support on his Facebook page, saying: “To the Chuuk State Department of Administrative Service, please block and reject the decision of our brand new senators and representatives, if it’s true that they have reversed the Governor’s veto.”
Such efforts to keep an eye on Chuuk State drew a myriad of reactions from Chuukese around the globe on social media. In his thread on FB, Doone’s post attracted some of the most vocal Chuukese activists, including Dr. Vid Raatior in California, USA.
Raatior, also a Federated States of Micronesia congressional candidate at one time, said, “Attention: Northwest delegation! (referring to his delegation from his own region in Chuuk). If you want a higher wage, then resign from public service and get a job. If you want to serve the public good, then start by honoring the Chuuk State Constitution. Iʻm sure people voted for you to improve the lives of people in our region, not to give yourselves a raise. Help raise the minimum wage for all first, then run your next campaign on the promise to raise YOUR wages. And if people agree they will vote for you again. And you can then give yourself a raise with a clear conscience. Tirow (with all due respect)!”
If you wanted to serve, added Mariot Stephen Sitorus, there is a list of the state’s debts to the municipal governments—clear that first then we, the people, can entertain your request for a raise.
Grandmother, Pres Shirai, was seething in her corner of Aloha land. She finally blurted out: “We’re dealing with power-hungry and greedy two-faced! There! I have spoken. And who among you elected-servants would dare say, ‘You are lying!’”
Meanwhile, Doone continued encouraging DAS: “Do not pay out the money until they’ve provided proof that the people have agreed and voted on the salary raise.”
This current proposal of the CSL, John Patis said, is outside of the purview of the Chuuk State Constitution, where the lawmakers get their directive from. In it, there is already a clause stipulating a raise every year for five years.
Patis is another strong and, sometimes, controversial and vocal Chuukese activist policing FB.
“Don’t be afraid,” Doone said to DAS. “Even if you allow them to sue you, and take you to court… justice will prevail and be on your side. Remember, you have the power of the people. Be careful, don’t let this ‘tattered bunch’ raise their wages contrary to our Chuuk State Constitution.”
The Constitution stipulates in Article V, Section 8:
“A) Except as limited by this Constitution, members of the Legislature shall receive annual salaries as prescribed by statute. No member may receive as salary and expense allowance a total amount greater than ¾ of the equivalent to which the Governor is entitled by law.
“B) The expense allowance for each member of the Legislature may not exceed ⅕ of the member’s annual salary.
“C) Upon request of the Governor or both of the presiding officers of the Legislature, the Election Commission shall submit the following question to the voters at the next general election: ‘Shall there be an increase in the salaries of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, or members of the Legislature?’ If a majority of the votes cast on this question is in the affirmative, the Legislature may provide for an increase not to exceed $2,000 for each officer.”
Yuriko Chipwelo, another FB poster, said simply: “The people deserve who they voted into office.”
“I once heard that Chuuk could have been the capital of our Federation when we first started out. But God knows best, he saw this kind of attitude from the very beginning. I wonder if any of those (lawmakers) ever drove all over the main island of Weno? The road has been a disaster for decades, and yet they’d rather put that money in their pockets?” said Jkele Pwanfos, still another FB poster.
Pwonnan Chok, one more poster, said in Chuukese: “Brand new senators and representatives, you have just been elected to your post at the beginning of 2025, and you’ve asked for a salary increase? Why? Show us what you can do first.”
It just goes to show how much you care about your people, he also said. Where is the place where you hold them?
“We elected you into office so you can first attend to your (osupwang) needs?”
The feeling among the FB posters is that there are more pressing things. For instance, the minimum wage should be raised first. Then, pay out monies owed the municipalities. Fix the roads in the center, and…
Finally, you can request from the Gov. the authority to raise your salary. That would’ve been alright… you’d have slept well at night with a quiet conscience, knowing full well you did the right thing for your people.
