by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - Lawmakers wrapped up their December session by passing the revised version of Governor Eddie Baza Calvo's spending cuts bill. The governor's initial version proposed up to $70M in cuts but a big chunk of that required provisions that related to the Government of Guam Retirement Fund, which they vehemently opposed. Those sections along with several others were removed. Bill 507 passed with a vote of 9 yes 5-no 1-execused absence. Meantime senators also passed the Initiative Reform and Transparency Act of 2012 which was introduced by Sen. Judi Guthertz. Bill 532 aims to create more transparency when a registered Guam voter introduces an initiative. As for the controversial health insurance Bill 513 which was vetoed earlier this year it failed to garner enough votes for an override.