Governor appeals to Democrats
Lawmakers were scheduled to continue their debate on the governor's $343 million bond proposal. But before Day Five of special session even began, Governor Eddie Calvo called on the Democratic leadership to stop the theatrics.
By KUAM NewsGuam - Lawmakers were scheduled to continue their debate on the governor's $343 million bond proposal. But before Day Five of special session even began, Governor Eddie Calvo called on the Democratic leadership to stop the theatrics.
Following weeks of different bond proposals being rejected and submitted, Governor Calvo broke his silence by releasing a special statement recognizing and appealing to lawmakers specifically the Republican minority, who he says have spoken most fervently about the need to get people their tax refunds, along with recognizing some Democrats.
Namely, Senators Dennis Rodriguez Jr., Tina Muna Barnes, Adolpho Palacios and Judi Guthertz were cited in trying to move the process forward. In an interview this morning with former senator and host of The Buzz Radio Show on Isla63-AM, Jess Lujan, Governor Calvo said he hopes that the Democrat senators are still in touch with the Democratic Party's philosophy of being for the people and that they're not being bullied by the Democrat leadership.
"And I tell you I know how it is to be bullied," he said. "I know how the Ways and Means chair acts I know how the vice speaker acts and I know how the majority leader acts. 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."
Governor Calvo also asks Speaker Judi Won Pat to not be bullied, and accused the democratic leadership of 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."
Won Pat said, "To say that we are politicizing this and even myself being bullied by others, I do not allow anyone to bully me, that's one thing that would never happen and I would stand up to anyone who tries to bully not just myself or anyone in this community."
The governor during his radio interview claimed the Democratic leadership have been delaying dialogue on his bond proposal, and attacking his fiscal team, adding the people of Guam who are owed a tax refund can't wait any more. "We're committed to getting these tax refunds to the people but we understand they're a coequal branch of government and based on the tactics they're going to block they're going to hide. Whenever they're losing their going to go and recess," he said.
Won Pat said, "We're not playing games here, we're not just taking recess for the sake of it, and when we do that it's because we're going to go and try and reconcile our differences that we have." She added, "We don't want a bill to pass just with eight like the budget, we would like it to be with all fifteen members."
Whether that will occur remains to be seen, but when lawmakers briefly reconvened special session this morning, Majority Leader Rory Respicio announced senators were working on a substitute bill that would address the concerns of both the Democrats and Republicans in the Legislature. They were supposed to reconvene at two o'clock, but as of 5pm they were still in recess.
Governor Calvo in the meantime has indicated that if the legislature were to kill his bond bill again he would introduce another one. He's hoping at some point lawmakers will vote to pass legislation to pay all past due tax refunds - hopefully before next fall when the real vote that matters happens.
He said, "If these guys can't change their tone and can't connect with the people, I recommend that the people of Guam if you want to get your tax refunds then you've gotta to replace these guys next election."