Aug. 3, 2018  Hagåtña — Even after repeated statements in session from the Department of Administration that tax amnesty payments should be used to reduce the deficit – which can prevent a repeat of triple digit deficits of the past – Senators want to appropriate it.   In previous years, the government has had a deficit as high as $500 million,...

Aug. 2, 2018 “This is a big miracle that we’ve gotten from our Governor and Lt. Governor and our Mayor Jesse Blas, thank you for him. For my middle child … she had sickness and we would have to take her from here to the fire station just to get ambulance service.” - Norma Mafnas, Pocaigue Street Resident Hagåtña — Pocaigue Street in Yona is one...

Senators discussing budget reductions for branches, agencies     Aug. 1, 2018   Hagåtña — Senators went back and forth on the question of what exactly would be cut while discussing budgets reductions at agencies during session.    Speaker Cruz, following questions on what the reductions would mean for each agency, reminded fellow senators that...

August 1, 2018 Hagatna - The Annual Foster Care Uniform and Shoe Drive is underway at First Lady Christine Calvo's Rigalu Foundation. This year, over 200 foster children in the foster care system will receive a new pair of shoes, new socks, and three school uniform vouchers in time for the new school year. The First Lady wants to thank all those...

Senators debate taxes, pay & health insurance for hotel employees July 31, 2018 Hagåtña — Today was day two of session and Senators debated an increase to the HOT rates. Sen. Regine Biscoe Lee finally acknowledged that the General Fund shortfall that agencies have been discussing since the beginning of the calendar year “is real.” Sen. Lee...

July 31, 2018 Governor Calvo today is meeting with China Airlines President Su-Chien Hsieh and Senior Vice President Steve Chang in an ongoing effort to increase airline seat capacity for visitors wanting to vacation, or do business, on Guam. The Governor is in Taiwan this week on an Economic Trade Mission to help promote the island to various...

Senators debate — again — over funding for Fiscal Year 2019 July 30, 2018 Hagåtña — Senators have five weeks left to pass a budget that will fund government services and provide dedicated funding for the Guam Memorial Hospital and Department of Education. Fiscal Year 2019 begins October 1. But senators are required to pass a budget bill by August...

11 Senators have not provided a solution to General Fund shortfall, even after repealing Public Law 34-87 July 29, 2018 Hagåtña — Senators have five weeks left to find a solution that will fund government operations, the Guam Memorial Hospital and Department of Education. For the current fiscal year, a $30 million reduction in expenditures and a...

July 29, 2018 Hagåtña — The Department of Administration is mailing out $4 million in tax refunds tomorrow (Monday). The Department of Revenue and Taxation printed the checks on Friday. The checks cover status A returns that qualify for refunds for Feb. 13. There were some Feb. 14 checks printed as well. “We continue to meet our obligations this...