by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - Today was the deadline for the Department of Administration to submit its objections to a proposed permanent injunction that was filed by plaintiffs in the ongoing tax refund class action lawsuit. The proposed injunction seeks for GovGuam to pay tax refunds within six months of their filing, however, DOA director Benita Manglona has stated that GovGuam could not do so without having negative impacts to its operations.

With today's deadline, Governor Eddie Calvo says whether paying tax refunds within six months or even a year, that's just a change from what was practiced before. "Now, just that in itself is a dynamic change from what has been the common practice over many years, for over a decade which was that tax refunds would not be paid out on time. It's not an option this administration wants to see happen and that is not an option this administration wants to repeat as it has been done in the past."

The proposed injunction also seeks to force the government to file reports on a quarterly basis and the suspension and discontinuation of expedited refund payments. If the government fails to comply with the injunction, the plaintiffs want a receiver appointed, government funds sequestered and contempt proceedings initiated.