FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE (April 28, 2020- Hagåtña, Guam)

Statement from Senator Therese Terlaje regarding Governor’s veto of Bill No. 333-35

All 15 members of the legislature united together to pass Bill 333-35 in a demand for increased transparency and accountability.  Over the last several weeks, my colleagues and I have written countless letters to the Governor and members of the cabinet asking for clarity on the administration’s plan to purchase more tests, to provide personal protective  equipment (PPE) for our frontline workers, to expedite economic relief for those unemployed and to advise how $129 million in federal relief will be prioritized during this crisis. 

It is perplexing to me why the Legislature, a co-equal branch of government, and the people of Guam would be denied this basic information while they continue to suffer and instead be told by the administration to submit a FOIA.

The unprecedented power and money controlled by a handful of public officials, as a result of this public health emergency, will have long lasting repercussions for every individual on Guam. The legislature’s unanimous call for increased transparency is a whisper compared to the public’s growing discontent and demands for truth and real relief.  We must use facts to dispel doubt about their government and restore a partnership worthy of the people’s trust and cooperation.

I urge my colleagues to stand firm on transparency and expedient reporting of COVID-19 expenditures. Now is not the time to blink or look the other way.

Attachments:

FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE (April 28, 2020- Hagåtña, Guam)

Statement from Senator Therese Terlaje regarding Governor’s veto of Bill No. 336-35

Bill No. 336-35 was introduced three weeks ago, 22 days after the declaration of this unprecedented public health emergency and after four people had died from COVID-19. At that time, despite individual agency efforts, the government had failed to obtain ventilators to expand our ICU capacity, had failed to obtain enough PPE to allay the fear and concerns of our frontline healthcare workers, had failed to obtain enough tests beyond the meager amounts handed out by the CDC, had failed to provide a place for GMH nurses to rest without infecting their families, and had failed to provide safe housing for COVID-exposed homeless individuals.

Those involved in emergency procurement reiterated that these expenditures would exceed the monthly $100,000/month limitation set in the Islan Guahan Emergency Health Powers Act.   In the absence of any clear explanation for the failure, the Legislature unanimously sought to ensure that money was NOT going to be the reason for the delay in obtaining supplies and equipment that other jurisdictions were aggressively pursuing.  

At that point, the administration refused to disclose the source of funding for any emergency expenditures or the details of any FY2020 transfers.  Coincidentally, on the day before we went into session to ensure the swift procurement of these critical items, the first transfer report for fiscal year 2020 was delivered to the Speaker. 

I will not pursue an override to authorize additional spending without accountability.  We need the Executive Branch to account for the money already spent and to demonstrate that these critical supplies made it to the frontlines where they belong.

Attachments:

Bills Are On The Way To Adelup For Action

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 16, 2020 – Hagåtña, Guam) – Bills 336 and 333 passed with unanimous support today at the Guam Legislature during emergency session. Both bills sponsored by Senator Therese Terlaje provide the Governor with tools and flexibility to rapidly respond to the coronavirus pandemic.

Bill No. 336-35 increases the Governor’s current transfer authority under the Health Emergency Declaration from $100,000.00 monthly for 3 months, up to $4 million during the COVID-19 emergency response. The increase in transfer authority removes any potential impediment to compete today in a market where there is a global shortage of ventilators, personal protective equipment (PPE) and COVID-19 test kits.  When these items become available, there should be no barrier within the government’s control to obtain them.  That includes a lack of funding. The bill also allows for transferred funds to pay for temporary housing for COVID-19 exposed medical personnel and homeless individuals to ensure that they get the support that they need to keep their families safe.

Healthcare professionals working to defeat the COVID-19 virus have consistently reached out for assistance in obtaining test kits, personal protective equipment, ventilators and medicines.  Senator Terlaje stated that this bill removes any further excuse or barrier to swift delivery of those items to our tireless frontline medical personnel. 

“I am normally a fiscally conservative person, especially when handling the money of the people,” Senator Terlaje said. “These are not normal times and this increased transfer authority is to secure crucial medical equipment and temporary housing support to protect the lives of our people.”

During session discussion on Senator Therese Terlaje’s second bill, Bill No. 333-35, she stressed the need for accountability to ensure that all monies are spent within federal guidelines and to ensure this aid reaches those intended, who have been impacted by the COVID-19 global pandemic, without any delay or impediment.

While understanding that there are many gears turning to enact the many different provisions for the CARES Act, Bill 333 sets a clear guideline for the government of Guam to operate within ensuring full accountability.  The measure also waives lengthy rulemaking requirements and allows the hiring of new or reassignment of existing personnel to accomplish the required reporting and processing that may be needed for full implementation.

“I want to thank my colleagues for supporting Bills 336 and 333 and for recognizing the need for transparency, accountability and rapid relief for the people of Guam during this very challenging time,” said Senator Therese Terlaje.

Both bills will be on their way to Adelup pending action by the Governor.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 13, 2020 – Hagåtña, Guam) – As Guam anticipates receiving potentially over $300 million in federal assistance, Senator Therese Terlaje stressed the need for accountability to ensure that all monies are spent within federal guidelines and to ensure this aid reaches those intended, who have been impacted by the COVID-19 global pandemic, without any delay or impediment.

After discussion with her colleagues in the 35th Guam Legislature, Substitute Bill No. 333-35 (COR), An Act Relative to the Rapid and Transparent Implementation of Federal and Local Assistance Programs Related to COVID-19, moved to the voting file.  The measure also waives lengthy rulemaking requirements and allows the reassignment of existing personnel to accomplish these purposes swiftly.

Members of the 35^th Guam Legislature rose in support of the bill.

“It is very critical to have a sense of transparency at this time.  When there is a lack of transparency there are a lot of questions and also people assume that if there is no transparency that you cannot trust the information being given on the forefront,” stated Vice Speaker Telena Nelson on the session floor.

“We must ensure that government funds are expended in a transparent manner.  [It] provides a strong balance between ensuring this accountability, while continuing to provide necessary funding in a responsive manner,” said Senator Sabina Perez, original co-author of the bill.

Thinking forward, Senator Terlaje recognized that the 2020 budget will be adversely impacted under the current fiscal climate stating “We need to know as much as we can about every single dime that is going to be spent under these programs.”

The Chair for the Committee on Health closed reinforcing that “the bill is intended to accommodate transparency and accountability.”

The measure is now cosponsored by all members of the 35th Guam Legislature.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 8, 2020 – Hagåtña, Guam) – Following up on her letters sent last week to the Department of Administration and Department of Revenue and Taxation, Senator Therese Terlaje again urged Governor Lou Leon Guerrero to order the immediate distribution of tax refund checks for over 3000 taxpayers whose returns are already processed and to expedite the processing of all remaining returns.

“It is unconscionable under current unemployment and furlough circumstances to hold these refunds another day,” said Senator Terlaje.

Please see attached letter sent to Governor Lou Leon Guerrero from April 7, 2020. Also attached are copies of the previous letters to the Department of Administration and Department of Revenue and Taxation dating to March 30, 2020.

For more information, please contact Senator Therese M. Terlaje’s office at (671) 472-3586 or via e-mail at senatorterlajeguam@gmail.com.