Committee on Ways & Means (W&M)

The Committee on Ways and Means holds one of the most powerful and consequential positions within the Kosrae State Legislature, serving as the primary guardian of the state’s fiscal integrity and financial sustainability through its oversight of taxation, budgeting, and appropriations.

The revenue dimension of the committee’s work encompasses all mechanisms through which Kosrae State generates financial resources to fund government operations and public services. The committee reviews and deliberates on legislation affecting taxation policies, tax rates and collection procedures, non-tax revenue sources, grant management, and compact funding allocations. This includes examining proposals for new revenue streams, adjustments to existing tax structures, and strategies to ensure stable and adequate funding for state government functions. Given Kosrae’s economic constraints and dependence on external funding sources, the committee plays a crucial role in developing sustainable revenue strategies.

The appropriations and expenditure component represents the committee’s control over how state resources are allocated and spent. The committee exercises primary jurisdiction over the state budget, reviewing all appropriations bills and examining proposed government spending across all departments and programs. This includes detailed scrutiny of budget requests, assessment of spending priorities, oversight of fiscal management practices, and monitoring of budget execution. The committee ensures that public funds are allocated efficiently, spent responsibly, and directed toward programs and services that serve the public interest.

Through its comprehensive fiscal oversight, the committee serves as steward of Kosrae’s financial resources, balancing competing demands for limited public funds while ensuring long-term fiscal sustainability. The committee’s decisions fundamentally shape what government can accomplish and which priorities receive support, making it central to translating legislative policy goals into funded reality across all areas of state governance.