Below is a letter sent to the Governor from the 36th Guam Legislature sent on May 6, 2021 regarding the their Proposal for Allocation of American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Funds. The letter, as signed by all senators, is available below for download.

May 6, 2021

Transmitted via Electronic Mail:

Honorable Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero

I Maga’hagån Guahan, Governor of Guam

governor@guam.gov

SUBJECT: 36th Guam Legislature’s Proposal for Allocation of American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Funds

Håfa Adai Governor Leon Guerrero:

The 36th Guam Legislature would like to ensure that funds received as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) provide both short-term and long-term relief to our residents, aid our economic recovery, and address long-standing infrastructure needs of the island.  It is our understanding that $664 M will be made available to Guam through the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund of ARP.  In addition to the $664 M, there are funds that may be directly appropriated to Guam through the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund for additional infrastructure needs.  The Guam Department of Education was awarded approximately $287 M from the U.S. Department of Education, as part of the American Rescue Plan, to be utilized for the safe return of students to face-to-face instruction, maximizing instructional time and addressing learning gaps, and to compensate and supplement the re-opening of schools and to ensure safe environments for students, faculty, staff and school communities at-large in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are also aware of $33.6 M available to Guam through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, $13.5 M through the Homeowner Assistance Fund, and $56.2 M through the State Small Business Credit Initiative because of the ARP. We stand ready to assist in getting this additional rental, mortgage and small business assistance out to the people as quickly as possible.  Accounting and use of all of these federal funds are integral to a comprehensive plan for Guam.  The priorities listed below are separate from the government’s FY 2022 budget needs and are subject to adjustments based on more information. 

With this in mind, we are respectfully requesting that the ARP funds be prioritized and allocated for the following initiatives listed below: 

DIRECT ASSISTANCE TO THE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES – TOTAL: $68,000,000

Implementation of Public Law 35-136 – the Recovery Income Support and Empowerment (RISE) Program: $30,000,000

• To provide direct payments to eligible Guam residents impacted by the public health emergency through the implementation of the RISE Act. Eligible individuals will receive a one-time payment of $800 and joint filers will receive $1600 as described in P.L. 35-136.

Small Business Pandemic Assistance Program and Guam Economic Development Authority (GEDA) programs: $35,000,000

• Funding for the Small Business Pandemic Assistance Program to provide direct assistance to businesses negatively impacted by the pandemic; and to develop additional programs or opportunities for the creation of new small businesses and to encourage economic growth.

Ayuda I Mangåfa Help for Families (AIM) Program: $3,000,000

• For the reopening of the Ayuda I Mangåfa Help for Families (AIM) Program to provide direct payments to eligible individuals who were unable to submit applications by the November 12, 2020 deadline.

EXPAND HEALTHCARE SERVICES – TOTAL: $233,156,322

Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS): $6,466,334

• To ensure continuity in health and social services for senior citizens by offsetting shortfalls in the Healthy Future Fund, to support health inspections and safety monitoring of food establishments and businesses during the re-opening of the economy, to ensure health licensing boards fulfill their mandates to vet health professionals through the expanded licensing process, and maximize Medicaid and MIP insurance coverage and providers.

Guam Memorial Hospital (GMH): $22,000,000 for existing hospital; $200,000,000 for new hospital

• To address urgent infrastructure repairs to the existing public hospital to ensure safety in patient care and compliance with CMS mandates.  Immediate capital improvement projects are necessary for the hundreds of patients and families who need medical attention and healthcare. Advance funding for the new public hospital.

Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center (GBHWC): $4,519,988

• To ensure mental health and detoxification and rehabilitation services are provided to the community and potentially expanded despite FY 2021 shortfalls in the Healthy Futures Fund.

Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID): $170,000

• To ensure comprehensive services are provided to individuals with disabilities and their families despite FY 2021 shortfalls in the Healthy Futures Fund.

INFRASTRUCTURE AND TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES – TOTAL: $341,124,678

Guam Waterworks Authority (GWA): $52,000,000

• Funding to avert immediate rate increases for ratepayers and to repair existing pipelines, connect sewer lines to outlying areas and tracts of land which are not currently on-grid, as well as for the expansion of the septic tank elimination program to protect the Northern Aquifer Lens from potential leaching and contamination.

Department for Public Works (DPW): $30,000,000

• To primarily repair Guam’s roads and advance the Village Streets Master Plan and fund related projects, equipment, supplies and materials. This funding will allow the execution of major highway and infrastructural

projects overseen by DPW that have been either delayed or unfunded and promote commerce and transportation throughout Guam.

Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB): $ $38,000,000

• For tourism recovery efforts and as temporary supplemental funding for the loss of Tourism Attraction Fund revenues due to drastic decreases in tourist arrivals to Guam, Matapang Beach enhancement project.

Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency (GCQA): $25,000,000

• To assist GCQA in light of the financial shortfall in the GCQA fund and contractual services, to include various service and communications contracts, maintenance of systems, Drug Dog Detector Unit related expenses, scanners and fuel experienced due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Additionally, the funding will aid the Agency in becoming an established and reliable source of revenue for the People of Guam. The funding empowers the important role of GCQA in supplementing Guam’s main industries and revenue sources, and further supports the streamlining of shipping information through digital manifest, the creation of a Transshipment Task Force, and the reinforcing of drug interdiction and invasive species efforts in partnership with the Port Authority of Guam.

Guam Regional Transit Authority (GRTA): $6,000,000

• To increase capacity for passengers with the purchase of new busses and vans including vehicle fleet maintenance and repairs; and address operational needs.

Mayors Council of Guam (MCOG):  $7,000,000

• For the purchase of equipment to conduct a full-scale village beautification program island-wide.

Department of Land Management (DLM): $15,000,000

• To improve the public’s access to public land information and to assist the public in swiftly obtaining and securing land titles and land registration information through more government land surveys a modernized Title Search Web Service System at the Department of Land Management. The upgrades to the data systems at DLM will support the timely review and actions necessary for homeowners, developers, businesses, and regulatory agencies to promote meaningful and sustainable development for the community.

Chamorro Land Trust Commission (CLTC): $25,000,000

• To bring in long awaited water and sewer infrastructure to CLTC properties to support the building of affordable homes for families and allow agricultural and economic diversification.  This infusion of infrastructure to large tracts will encourage the development of affordable and permanent housing and assist with the establishment of additional business activity in parts of Guam currently underutilized.

Guam Ancestral Lands Commission (GALC): $1,500,000

• To provide additional resources to GALC for land surveys, subdivisions, infrastructure, utilities and roads on previously vacant tracts of property.  Support will be given to GALC to ensure the highest and best use of land assets of the Land Bank towards “extinguishment of claims” and elimination of poverty of ancestral landowners who cannot regain possession or title to their ancestral lands because of continued public benefit use by either the Federal Government or the Government of Guam.

Guam Solid Waste Authority (GSWA): $ $8,857,910

• For the continuation of operation with the loss of employees, a decrease in commercial fee collection and the off-set cost of recycling. This funding will also allow the upgrade in equipment that is being pushed over its service life (trucks, carts, etc.) and with this upgrade allow GSA to prepare for the possible implementation of mandatory trash collection. Operations and Equipment have continued during this current pandemic with a greater strain on the system, with people staying home. The set aside funding for the new cell acknowledges proper planning in place for the future expansion.

Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR): $18,000,000

• For the increased and enhanced preservation of Guam’s historic sites. Additionally, the funding will help the Guam Historic Resources Division, also known as the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)procure more archaeologists to aid in the preservation of ancient burial sites and ancestral human remains discovered through construction activity at historic sites. These projects will contribute to the beautification of the island in preparation for the re-opening of Guam to tourism partners and further addresses the concerns of the community. The funding will also contribute to maintenance of public parks, patrol vehicles and cemeteries.

Department of Administration: $9,440,662

• To upgrade/replace AS400 system for a new financial management system for the government; address contractual services; and increase capacity for services and equipment for improved and timely accounting and reporting of government finances.

Guam Police Department (GPD): $5,000,000

• To increase/replace equipment- patrol cruisers, maintenance vehicles, firearms, vehicle maintenance to increase police presence in the community.

Guam Fire Department: $4,687,141

• To encourage rapid response and protect the public’s health and safety by equipping the responders with more vehicles, equipment for firefighting and medical response (ambulances, jet-skis, response vehicles, aerial ladders, pumper trucks); and to address contractual services (office equipment and fire station building maintenance).

Department of Corrections (DOC): $20,000,000

• Implementation of master plans & equipment; including new correctional facility.

Department of Youth Affairs (DYA): $5,000,000

• For the construction of a new administration building to provide proper care, custody, detention and rehabilitation of youth entrusted to the Department; and for the establishment of an interagency juvenile justice data sharing system to provide a multidisciplinary approach for youth in contact with law enforcement and youth entering the justice system.

Judiciary of Guam: $10,000,000                           

• To support the timely resolution of cases in criminal and civil court and efficient work processes through expanded courtrooms and through upgrades to the Judiciary’s case management and e-filing systems for better public access to individuals in the court system.

Office of the Attorney General (OAG): $4,000,000

• To improve the parents’ access to child support information, payments, and enforcement through investment in a Child Support Enforcement Division case management system and to integrate databases with GPD for better collaboration and data sharing.

Office of Technology (OTECH): $5,000,000

• To expand the public’s access to GovGuam agencies’ services and assistance by implementing government wide upgrades in agencies’ broadband and technology infrastructure, hardware, and automation, and to develop the central public notice website as mandated by statute.

Department of Revenue and Taxation (DRT): $10,000,000

• To stand up programs that will support the Department’s progress to automate and make its services more convenient and accessible for community members through equipment upgrades, and to improve revenue collection, and to design, develop, install, operate and maintain technology services ensuring network interoperability and capability in collaboration with OTECH, DOA, and BSP.

Department of Agriculture (DoAg): $5,000,000

• Investing in DoAg will allow them to not only meet their mandates as a regulatory agency, but it will also allow them to help develop Guam’s extremely underdeveloped Agricultural industry. Funding to build new spaces for conservation officers and the Forestry division; and to assist the Department’s efforts to curb increases in the stray animal population through an expanded facility for Guam Animals in Need.

Guam Environmental Protection Agency (GEPA): $1,500,000

• To protect Guam’s environment through enhanced monitoring and regulatory action.

GO Bond 2019 (Finance the Expansion of Layon Landfill): $2,996,875

• To ensure maintenance of Revenue Bond requirements despite shortfalls to SWOF. This funding will ensure GSWA bond standing and responsibility.

Ordot Dump closure & post closure costs: $27,142,090

• Funding for Ordot Dump Closure and Post Closure Costs. This funding will allow GSWA to place its money back into its reserves for this purpose and ensure the Ordot dump is closed and properly maintained to protect the environment and public health. This is the remaining portion of federal receivership and that will promote financial sustainability of a utility that is working to regain full authority.

Guam Veterans Affairs Office (GVAO): $5,000,000

• Maintenance of the Veterans’ cemetery with increased funding for equipment, supplies & materials and capital improvements such as the Korean monument, etc.

WORKFORCE TRAINING/DIVERSIFICATION AND DIRECT STUDENT AID – TOTAL: $18,500,000

Department of Labor (DOL): $3,000,000

• To provide services to the unemployed as well as mitigate unemployment fraud; and for the planning and development of a local unemployment program, a study of the workmen’s compensation program, and the expansion of GDOL services available to displaced workers search for employment. GDOL will play a main role in rebuilding the economy and making sure there is a robust labor force with a diversified skill set.

Guam Community College (GCC): $7,000,000

• For the advancement of GCC’S Apprenticeship Program to develop and train Guam’s workforce to meet industry needs, especially in areas that are critical for economic recovery and healthcare.

University of Guam (UOG): $7,000,000

• For direct financial aid to students in need through the Student Financial Assistance Program and to increase scholarships for the nursing program, social work program, other health related programs, teaching programs, and Protech scholarships for medical school.

Guam Academy Charter Schools (GACS): $1,500,000

• To encourage and support the enrollment of additional students at all charter schools, and to further supplement supplies and equipment for the newly established Career Tech High Charter School Academy. The funding will contribute to charter schools staying afloat financially amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and significant reductions in their enrollment.

STREAMLINE AND UPGRADE GOVERNMENT SERVICES – TOTAL: $3,219,000

Civil Service Commission (CSC): $286,000

• To ensure the Commission is able to fulfill its mandates to uphold a merit system for Guam and is supported in their efforts to automate and enhance timely reviews and actions.

Department of Chamorro Affairs (DCA): $760,000

• To promote public and visitor engagement in the preservation, practice, and perpetuation of culture through education and outreach programs and services, Museum and Chamorro Village entrepreneurial capacity despite the FY 2021 shortfalls in the Tourist Attraction Fund.

I Kumision I Fino CHamoru (Kumision): $500,000

• To support language and cultural education programs despite the FY 2021 shortfall in the Tourist Attraction Fund.

Council on the Arts and Humanities Agency (CAHA): $173,000

• To ensure the maintenance and improvement of art programs and services despite the FY 2021 shortfall in the Tourist Attraction Fund.

Guam Educational Telecommunications Corporation (PBS): $300,000

• To expand educational programs and services available through upgrades to system equipment.

Guam Ethics Commission (GETHC): $200,000

• To support the Commission with training of members and employees and address contractual requirements.

Guam Public Library System (GPLS): $1,000,000

• Support for increased broadband capabilities and information technology to serve the community’s need to access information, education materials, and government services and meetings.

Grand Total: $664,000,000.00

We look forward to our upcoming meeting for further discussion and collaboration regarding this proposal for the American Rescue Plan Act funds.