The committee members in attendance were FSM Vice President and panel chairman Alik Alik, Yap Gov. Sebastian Anefal, Pohnpei Gov. John Ehsa, Kosrae Gov. Robert Weilbacher and Chuuk Attorney General Joses Gallen, representing Gov. Wesley Simina.
Alik proposed, and everyone agreed, that the meeting would focus on discussing how to proceed with the unified revenue authority, or URA, in light of concerns that some states had.
The other agenda items include a review of the tax reform implementation plan and a presentation of the revenue estimates from the tax reforms.
Each governor delivered an opening statement.
The statements all expressed the urgency for moving forward with the tax reforms in light of growing budgetary difficulties faced by the state governments.
Although they had some technical issues to work though, by the end of the meeting, all shared the views that an important breakthrough was made in that they have found a way for all five governments to proceed with URA from day one.
This path needs to be agreed upon by FSM President Manny Mori and the FSM Congress for it to happen.
With the FSM Congress still in session, a meeting was had with Speaker Isaac V. Figir to explain what is needed and the outcome should be known soon.
