By Pacific Island Times News Staff
The last Consolidated Revenue Expenditure Report for fiscal year 2024 indicated that the government of Guam had $51 million in excess revenues, $13 million more than the $37.9 million projected in August.
Two senators are offering separate proposals on how to spend the extra funds.
Speaker Therese Terlaje is proposing how available excess FY2024 funds should be prioritized and distributed, prioritizing Guam Memorial Hospital, the Guam Department of Education and the Guam Cancer Trust Fund among other key priorities.
After the promise to address all amendments appropriating excess revenues in a supplement budget bill during the August budget session fell through the cracks, Terlaje has called an emergency session on Oct. 22 to consider supplement funding to GMH, GDOE and GCTF through debate on Supplemental Budget Bill 355. Bill 355 as introduced by the Committee on Appropriations fails to resolve many urgent concerns, including the budget shortfall for GMH.
Terlaje plans to introduce several floor amendments that would reallocate the revenues to critical areas.
With $51 million believed to be available, Terlaje proposes to use the funds as follows:
· Guam Memorial Hospital Authority- $20 million
· Guam Department of Education- $10 million
· Guam Cancer Trust Fund- $2.5 milion
· Mayors Council of Guam- $3,5 million
· Credit Card fee waiver- $4.7 million
This proposal totals to $40 million. Terlaje calls on her colleagues to support these critical funding allocations, which would ensure that essential services and programs continue to operate effectively to serve the people of Guam.
Sen. Will Parkinson has put forth a counter-proposal, focusing on strategic investments to address urgent needs while planning for future contingencies.
Parkinson's plan incorporates critical funding priorities to enhance public services, boost public safety, and extend vital support programs for Guam’s residents.
"The September CRER shows $51 million in available excess revenues, but it also shows that we are tracking to collect $1.058 billion last fiscal year, while the FY2025 budget projected collections are $994 million, less than what we are tracking to receive in the previous fiscal year," Parkinson said.
"Our revenue projections have repeatedly been too conservative, which has resulted in excess revenues of $149,366,003 in FY2024. Projecting less than we collect doesn't save money, those excess revenues are still spent. It just creates chaos to appropriate them as we go, instead of holistically in a budget process. My proposal reflects a more accurate assessment and directs an additional $10 million in projected revenues to vital programs that cannot afford delays."
Parkinson’s proposal includes:
Guam Memorial Hospital Authority - $20 million
Guam Department of Education - $10 million
Guam Cancer Trust Fund - $2.5 million
Mayors Council of Guam - $3.5 million
Credit Card Fee Waiver - $4.7 million
Division of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities - $750,000
Crime Lab HVAC System Repair - $2 million
Guam Police Department Recruit Cycle - $361,770
Guam Department of Correction Recruit Cycle - $270,600
Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center Drug & Alcohol Detox Programs - $750,000
Power credit extension for October, November and December - $16.2 million.
The proposed spending plan totals $61 million, which Parkinson said was supported by "a prudent $10 million adjustment in revenue projections."
“As I’ve said during this budget cycle and last, we must be proactive, not reactive, in our revenue estimations. This $10 million increase is conservative, ensuring our vital services don’t get shortchanged,” Parkinson said.
“Speaker Terlaje’s focus on critical areas like GMH and GDOE is a step in the right direction, and I fully support these priorities. However, we must also take into account other urgent needs, including our public safety infrastructure and essential services for individuals facing addiction and disabilities. My proposal does just that,” Parkinson said. "For example if we don't fix the HVAC at the crime lab and forensic samples get spoiled, that jeopardizes our ability to convict criminals."
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