What Really Matters
By Acting Governor Ray Tenorio

Hafa adai, my fellow Guamanians,

Every now and then, someone calls me up and thanks me because they got their tax refund. I normally say that I'm happy for them, but please, don't thank me. It's not my money that wehelped to get to you. It's your money. I'm sorry it took so long to get you your own money.

Tax refunds have been used for years as bait for political favors. It's been that way for so long, that many residents are made to believe some elected officials are doing them a favor when atax refund comes out. That's despicable. It's wrong. And by next month, most of the tax refunds that have been held at bay will be paid back.

Governor Calvo and I made promises to you since our campaign that, under our watch, you wouldn't have to beg for your own money. It's taken nearly a year, but very soon those promises will be met. The Governor left today to New York to market and sell the tax refunds and COLA bonds. I thank him for this opportunity to speak to you... and to get some things off my chest that the Governor's too polite to say.

I've been angry about the way this government has, year after year, taken money from you to pay for its mistakes. It's why I wanted to come to Adelup with Governor Calvo. We had a planto fix things. That plan has been successful, no thanks to the politics that have been getting inour way. We set out to make things right. We started cutting costs, demanding accountability, improving customer service and prioritizing programs throughout the government. Weproposed a bond that would have taken care of all overdue tax refunds and part of next year'srefunds.

But that's not going to happen. The bonds will only cover up to part of the 2010 tax refunds. Why? Politics. That's why. We are standing on the threshold of the highest bond rating in GovGuam history - but that bond will only cover part of the tax refunds owed to you. We could have gotten more. If only the Democrat legislative leadership would have heard our case...would have heard your pleas... we would be refunding everything before Christmas.

It's no longer anger that dwells inside me about the opportunity that's been blown. It's an overwhelming pain. And this has nothing to do with the legislature or the governor, or the government at all. Look around you. Maybe you're one of them listening to this message. Look at the people struggling across this island. It hurts to see a little boy ask his mother at the store if he can get a snack, and she looks at him and shamefully whispers that she can't afford it. It's hard to see a father with his little girl crying in my office begging for help because his family is going to get kicked out of their apartment. It pains me to no end that Christmas will come and go for hundreds of children, who have never known the joy of the Season of Giving.

I know. A long time ago, I was one of those children.

The difference between then and now is that the government didn't keep my parents' tax refunds back then. But for so many thousands of people suffering on Guam today, Christmas can be a lot brighter if those tax refunds come out soon. Children's lives can be a lot happier if their parents aren't worrying about the power bill, the rent, the mortgage or the food in the refrigerator.

This is what our efforts mean. The Governor and I thank you so much for all the support you've given us as we've tried to right so many wrongs of this government. It is your story that has motivated us... inspired us to go the extra mile.

I know the government always talks about your quality of life and how politicians are going to improve it. You get a lot of lip service, but you never actually feel it. Well, we'll let our actions speak to our promises. I just want you to know we're working very hard.

Please pray for the Governor's success in New York. With God's help, this will be a Merry Christmas for those who've been left behind for far too long.

Si Yu'us Ma'ase yan si Yu'us en Fan'binendisi.

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