by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - Governor Eddie Calvo submitted the proposed Fiscal Year 2013 budget to lawmakers. According to his budget message he's requesting a total of $772.5 million in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2013, which he says is the year that "transitions this government from a weak financial posture to fiscal stability and strengthened financial and economic outlook".

Bureau of Budget and Management Research's director John Rios says the $569 million in General Fund revenues available for appropriations is about $12 million less than last year with 40 percent of that dedicated to education, 15 percent to public safety and 13 percent to Public Health. "The budget now is a status quo budget but at the same time, we're trying to get the departments to hold the line and to continue doing the service that they need to do for everybody; like, for example, Rev & Tax, they basically need to work with what they have," Rios said.

The $268.7 million total appropriation for DOE is $800,000 less due to a reduction in utility costs while several other department within the government either received slight cuts or minimal increases. Several of the miscellaneous appropriations were consolidated, including those for DOE and the University of Guam, as the budget allows the department's flexibility to use such funds.

Although it's not reflective in this budget, Governor Calvo's initiative as mentioned in his State of the Island Address last night to transition the government into performance based budgeting will most likely be included in the budget for FY2014.

READ THE PROPOSED FY2013 BUDGET