by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - Governor Eddie Calvo and Lieutenant Governor Ray Tenorio have been on the job officially for one month now, but reports released today by their transition subcommittees outline what they feel will get Guam heading in a new direction. Co-chairperson of the Calvo Transition Committee Dan Tydingco thanks the more than 150 individuals who volunteered their time to serve on their various subcommittees.

With Thursday marking one month on the job for Calvo and Tenorio, the Transition Committee released their reports on the following subject categories:

TRANSITION REPORTS

Culture and Tourism
Customer Service and Government Operation
Education
Infrastructure and Land
Safety
Guam Buildup & Economic Development
Healthcare and Mental Healthcare
Expansion and Military Build-up
Finance
Political Status & External Affairs

According to Tydingco, the recommendations were submitted to various members of the community, including the Legislature unfiltered. And with these reports in hand, Guam's elected leaders can choose to either follow the recommendations or not.

"In many instances," he said, "there were very simple, logical findings and recommendations and observations that the Government of Guam could probably address and attend to. In some instances there some bizarre and extreme recommendations which the Administration and Legislature would have to give whatever due consideration they want to, and in some instances there were some really novel and innovative suggestions and ideas."

"I think its important that we look at these transition reports and we take in the information," he added.

Clearly Governor Calvo has already taken some of the advice contained in the finance report. As recommended the governor ordered his cabinet to submit cost containment and cost reduction reports to his office within 30 days, those are currently being reviewed. Another recommendation was exploring the option of rescheduling federally ordered payments, case in point the request to delay the payment for the permanent injunction which was granted by the federal court.

Meanwhile, the Administration has estimated a close to $120 million cash shortfall for the current fiscal year. According to the finance report, it's unavoidable that the government must consider a cash infusion into the General Fund.

Among the several recommendations include preparing for the possibility of borrowing more money if needed and investing in the Department of Revenue & Taxation for enforcement and collection. The Transition Team also recommended considering a tax on individuals, corporation and others who perform work on Guam-related projects who are not incorporated here or who do not have Guam business licenses.

Another recommendation: to explore an alternative local tax system in place of the gross receipts tax system. The Transition Team believes serious consideration should be given to a value added tax.

Bottom line, according to the governor: "Whatever we do we do it in such a manner when we strive to improve the quality whether its healthcare, financial position of this community or public safety we try to do it with the least disruption as possible that's where we have to find the balances and that's what we intend to."