by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - It's been about two weeks since Bill 543 was passed by lawmakers in the 31st Guam Legislature. The new bill scraps the 10 percent cut to all unclassified employees making over $50,000. Senators during the debate also decided to scrap the 10-percent cut that would have been applied to them as well.

The 10 percent cut began taking effect last Tuesday.

Governor Eddie Calvo told KUAM today the bill we be dealt with by this week.

As for lawmakers who questioned whether GovGuam is actually in a fiscal crisis... Calvo said they should read the audits of GovGuam over the years. Which means we are in a very difficult financial position, numbers don't lie. There are so many unfunded mandates that have been put forward by the legislature that we have not been able to pay out like the merit bonuses which has waited 21 year 2612 I think both the facts and numbers as well as circumstantial evidence prove evident as to what the financial situation of the Government of Guam is," he said.

The 10-percent cut provision was originally included by senators while gutting most of the proposed cuts in Governor Calvo's spending cuts bill. The bill lapsed into law with only over a million in savings. Governor has 30 days from when Bill 543 passed early this month or is considered a pocket veto and dies.