FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE (March 3, 2018) – Acting Speaker Terlaje issued the following statement on the release of a recent opinion by the Attorney General of Guam:
“While the Legislature maintains that it works for the Governed not the Governor, I agreed to recognize Adelup’s latest call to Session out of respect for the Attorney General. Though the Legislature may consider legal action to defend this Branch against Executive overreach at another time, that decision will be made later. Without waiving the Legislature’s right to challenge the actions of the Governor, we will proceed for this special session in conformance with the Attorney General’s opinion.
I would additionally like to reiterate the prior actions by the Legislative Body in regards to the three earlier special sessions called by the Governor this week:
• Bills 248-34 (LS) and 249-34 (LS), both relative to establishing a sales tax, were referred to Committee on Finance and Taxation and have been set for a public hearing on Thursday, March 8th at 9 am.
• Bill 1(5-S), from the Governor, was also relative to a sales tax, referred to the same committee and set for public hearing on Friday, March 9th at 7 pm.
In addition to these three bills, there is also:
• Bill No. 247-34 (COR), relative to re-organizing of government priorities that will have a public hearing on Wednesday, March 7th at 10:30 am
• Two revenue enhancing bills, Bill No. 250-34 (LS) and Bill No. 251-34(LS), which were introduced on Friday, March 2nd. These bills will be referred to the appropriate committees and public hearings will be scheduled for them.
“We need to put all proposals on the table so that they can be thoroughly analyzed and discussed. I truly believe our best way forward requires us to work together, gather all of the data we have, look at every option before us, and continue seeking input from the public who will be greatly affected by our ultimate decisions.”