FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (August 31, 2019)– This budget is not perfect, it still has some fat and some agencies will be hard pressed to achieve more than the status quo. We will have to rely not just on management, but also on every government employee to find efficiencies.

But this budget does have some good things in it. This budget adds 50 new police officers, if everybody can do their part to get those processed.

It also adds money to expand our children’s shelter and get at least 24 more of the 200+ homeless children safely off the street, and to support the Autism Shelter.

This budget sets aside for tax refunds, and sets aside a rainy day fund for reduction of the deficit.

This budget allows flexibility for the Governor in areas where there may be critical shortfalls and for DPW to focus on the roads.

This budget also locks up $10-million for the first time in years toward repairs and safety, and CMS approval at the Guam Memorial Hospital while we confirm the long-term plan. I hope in good faith that this money does not get diverted.

All the rest, we will have to work harder on throughout the year.

I would like to thank my colleagues for their debate of the issues and support of sometimes controversial amendments. I would like to thank the Office and Finance and Budget and the Legislature’s staff for their hard work.

Most importantly, I would also like to thank the people of Guam for their attention and for continuing to care about our island and government. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and advice with us throughout this entire process. Together, with focus and hard work, we can go forward and address even those long-standing challenges one by one. I humbly ask that you never stop asking questions and never stop expecting better.

Si Yu’os Ma’åse’