By Frank Whitman
Frank Blas Jr. begins his stint as speaker of the 38th Guam Legislature with plans to restore civility to legislative proceedings, and then tackle Guam’s perennial problems with the island’s health care system, crime and the economy.
He is frustrated by what he described as a lack of decorum in the legislature over the last few years, and the effect of that discord on public participation in the legislative process.
“We say that we’re the house of the people,” he said. “What many have expressed to me in the community is almost a fear of coming down and participating in the discussions and deliberations and bringing forth ideas because of the degradation and just being insulted when you come before the body. Respect is earned."
The 37th Guam Legislature was marred by a collective discomfort over the infamous “lewd gesture” that compelled senators to censure Sen. William Parkinson. A resolution cited Parkinson's “disorderly, sexually explicit hand gesture” directed at Sen. Joanne Brown, which “caused significant inconvenience, annoyance and distress” in the session hall.
"I want to bring back a degree of respect and decorum and no fear of voicing your opinion. Bring back the confidence the people should have in this legislature. That’s the first thing," Blas said.
Blas is the first Republican speaker of the Guam Legislature since 2008. Republicans have retaken control of the Guam legislature after flipping seats in the Nov. 5 elections, which secured nine seats for the party against the Democrats’ six.
In a break from recent practice, he will not serve as a member of any standing legislative committee, but rather will be a member with voting rights on all committees. He will then be able to direct discussions, he said.
He plans to support committees rather than control them. “Their agenda is my agenda,” Blas said. “That will be my role.”
As the speaker, he hopes to “usher along discussions that will help to rebuild our economy, fix our health care system, and take a look at our growing crime problem,” he said. “Hopefully, we can eliminate a lot of these problems before they get any worse than what they are right now.”
Blas acknowledged differences of opinion with the governor, particularly over spending federal funds. He cited American Rescue Plan Act funds which, the legislature has been told, are under the purview of the governor, he said.
He has told the administration many times his opinion on policy matters with little result, he said. “She knows where I’m coming from. I don’t hide my intentions.”
He understands the governor’s role and authority and is willing to provide support and policy direction or changes in the law, he said. “I’ll be there to help her to do that.” But he wants to get involved and to have his opinions taken into account in the process.
With the change of administration in the federal government, Blas anticipates that it will be increasingly important for Guam to account for the proper use of federal funds, particularly the $400 million in federal grants the territory receives annually.
Donald Trump, who is returning to the White House, has said he is concerned about government efficiency and how the people’s money is being spent. Blas is concerned that Guam could lose federal funds.
“If money is not being spent properly, or not being used at all, they’re going to come for it,” he said. “I just want us to make sure that the money we’re getting is being maximized; that we’re using it the way it should be used.”
One example of the local government’s reliance on federal funds for essential government functions is the Guam Homeland Security and Office of Civil Defense. “If the grants are gone, much-needed service is gone as well,” he said. “What are our contingencies for that? We don’t have any contingencies.”
Blas said he plans to apply performance measures -which are currently lacking – to the planned scrutiny of government spending.
Such standards will help determine whether spending is at an appropriate level. “Have we created more programs just to have the programs, or are there programs that we can consolidate or get rid of?” he asked.
The previous policy was “write out a check and say ‘go.’” Now, government money is to be spent “on the purpose for which it is allocated.”
He emphasized the importance of frugality and being prepared for unexpected expenses. And he noted that one ongoing government expenditure is its lingering debt.
As a family business owner, Blas said he has an accurate sense of the state of the local economy, particularly its downturn over the last five years in the wake of the pandemic.
“My business continues to suffer while the government continues to operate as if nothing happened,” said Blas, who owns Frank Blas & Associates, an insurance brokerage.
Before the pandemic, people were able to obtain the insurance coverage they needed. Since then, a number of his customers have gone out of business, left island, or are struggling to pay premiums. “Right now, revenue is being substituted by the military buildup. But when those businesses shut down, business is going to be rough.”
Blas is a former Guam Police Department officer and served as a member of the 29th, 30th, 31st, 33rd, 36th and 37th Guam Legislatures. He served as Guam Homeland Security adviser from 2002 to 2006.
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