Governor Calvo critical of Democratic leadership
As lawmakers prepare to begin Day 5 of Special Session on Governor Eddie Baza Calvo's $343 million bond proposal or Bill 1-3-S, he issued a special statement recognizing and appealing to lawmakers.
By KUAM NewsGuam - As lawmakers prepare to begin Day 5 of Special Session on Governor Eddie Baza Calvo's $343 million bond proposal or Bill 1-3-S, he issued a special statement recognizing and appealing to lawmakers. He recognized all the republicans who he says have spoken most fervently about the need to get the people their tax refunds, namely: Senators Tony Ada, Frank Blas, Jr., Chris Duenas, Sam Mabini, Mana Silva Taijeron and Aline Yamashita. At the same time Governor Calvo recognized several democrats for trying to move the process forward: Senators Dennis Rodriguez, Jr., Tina Muna Barnes, Adolpho Palacios, and Judi Guthertz.
His special statement follows an interview this morning with Jesse Anderson Lujan , former Senator and host of the BUZZ Radio Show on Isla 63AM. Governor Calvo accused the Democrat Leadership, namely Vice Speaker BJ Cruz, Majority Leader Sen. Rory Respicio and Committee Chair on Appropriations Sen. Ben Pangelinan of stalling and bullying their democrat colleagues to kill Bill 1-3-S, "I'm hoping that those democrats that are Senators that are still in touch with the democrat philosophy of being for the people that Senators Palacios, Tina Muna Barnes, Rodriguez, and Guthertz I can see they are looking for ways to make this work, I'm hoping they weren't bullied overnight by the leadership," he stated. "It will take a lot of courage for those majority senators that are moderate for them to do the right thing and it is because of the leadership that has lost touch with the people and I'm hoping they're hearing, I'm hoping these folks come back to what the Democratic Party is all about," Governor Calvo added.
As for Speaker Judi Won Pat, Governor Calvo appealed for her to do what he believes is the right thing, "she cannot allow those three to bully her, be the stateswoman you can be do not allow those bullies to bully you shine in the tradition of your father," said the Governor. The Speaker is the daughter of the late Guam Congressman Antonio B. Won Pat.
The Governor also responded to concerns by the Speaker during Special Session regarding the total amount the people of Guam will be paying over the 33 year length of the loan, saying bottom-line the issue is philosophical in nature, "we're looking at about $700 million over the totality of the bond to pay off these tax refunds, but if you compare that with the rate we're paying tax refunds right now over that same period the cost as we are going now as a result of these terrific budgets they've passed over the last three year… at the rate we're going it will cost us $1.9 billion. This is the major issue here. They don't want to see this structured payment go about they know we've shown them the numbers and within three years the only thing that we have to account for is 8 or 9 million dollars in debt service because there are other loans that are falling off and the monies that are owed for section 30's will be paid down. They know that," said the Governor.
The island's chief executive said the Democrat leadership is playing politics, "Everything they have done in the amendment process has been about delay about cut back about changing and watering everything down. As far as I'm concerned they believe this is a victory of the administration and because of that they're going to find every which way to water it down," the Governor said.
Speaking on a recent amendment by Vice Speaker BJ Cruz to cap the interest rate for the bond at 5.5% (amended to 6.5% by Sen. Rodriguez) Calvo criticized the democrat leadership for allowing an 8% interest rate in Subsitute Bill 145 which included Sen. Pangelinan's $180million bond proposal but was vetoed, and an 8% interest rate in a recent bond to build a Guam Museum, "But now when it comes to the people wanting their money back they have a problem with that," Calvo defended.
Governor Calvo also responded to concerns from Vice Speaker Cruz about federal funding and money GovGuam may owe the federal government regarding tax credits and section 30 reconciliation, "This is the very same Vice Speaker that fought for war reparations and those are monies that the federal government owes us. This is the same Vice Speaker that when the Congress passed legislation about the purchase of Fena at $300 million and using an offset of the Compact Impact owed he said it himself that was an omission by the federal government that they did owe us Compact Impact. So here we are, we may owe the federal government but we also know the federal government owes us a lot of money. Here's a supposed judge whose a fighter and champion for the local people when it suits his purpose but now he's bowing down and saying oh we may owe the federal government this next year… in ten years… crocodile tears…I know these guys I've read their book I served with these guys in the Senate. I don't believe a word that they're saying. I hate to say it folks this is just politics," the Governor said this morning on Isla 63AM.
Lawmakers meanwhile were scheduled to return from recess at 10 o'clock this morning. Just before noon they reconvened and recessed until later this afternoon. To clear up any accusations that they were continuing to meet behind closed doors, Majority Leader Sen. Rory Respicio announced senators were working on a substitute bill that would address the concerns of both the democrats and republicans in the legislature. Minority leader Sen. Frank Blas, Jr. concurred. Special Session was recessed until 2 o'clock this afternoon.
Governor Calvo has indicated that if the Legislature were to kill his bond bill again he would introduce another one, "I'm the Governor. I owe it to them to fight for them, especially if the legislative leadership won't," he stated in a press release this morning.