by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - As lawmakers prepare for a hearing today on changing how to procure GovGuam health insurance, one bill that's not getting a public hearing and instead heading straight to a session agenda is Bill 516. The legislation was introduced by Speaker and Committee Chair on Education Senator Judi Won Pat and Budget Chairman Senator Ben Pangelinan. Although the legislation starts with language to extend the deadline for the obligation of ARRA monies to conform with the recent extension granted by the U-S Department of Education it later contains language amending the FY13 budget such as increasing the revenue projection by 5-million dollars, implementing a hiring freeze on the executive branch for unclassified employees with certain exceptions, and re-appropriating $3 million that would have initially gone to Mental Health for its amended permanent injunction and instead appropriating it to the University of Guam, Guam Community College and the Government of Guam Retirement Fund.