Money shuffled around at the legislature
Guam - Guam Legislature executive director Vince Arriola has released the following information to KUAM News on where lapsed funds from senators in the 31st Guam Legislature's went to in the 32nd. Former senator republican Sam Mabini left office with $35,000 in lapsed funds which was transferred to minority leader Tony Ada. Lapsed funds from republicans Mana Silva Taijeron and Frank Blas, Jr. went to democrat majority leader senator Rory Respicio.
From the two former republicans he got a combined $36,000. Senator Respicio also picked up an additional $10,000 from his former democratic colleague senator Judi Guthertz. And finally senator adolpho palacios' $20,000 in lapsed funds went to vice speaker B.J. Cruz.
Meanwhile for those senators that were re-elected into the 32nd Guam Legislature, they also carried over thousands in lapsed funding.
Senator Ben Pangelinan, who runs the Office of Finance and Budget, carried over the most with over $212,000. He was followed by Speaker Judi Won Pat's office who has over $117,000 in lapsed funding from the last term. Of the democrats, Senator Tom Ada carried over $88,000; Senator Dennis Rodriguez Jr. with over $50,000, Senator Rory Respicio with $31,000, Vice Speaker B.J. Cruz with $7,000 -thousand, and Senator Tina Rose Muna Barnes with only $455. As for the re-elected republicans, new minority leader senator Tony Ada carried over $45,000 where as senator Chris Duenas carried over close to $14,000 and Senator Aline Yamashita with $2,000.
The Guam Legislature's chief financial officer Agnes Cruz tells KUAM the senatorial's office annual budget for the speaker is $348,000 whereas the majority each receives $295,000 and the minority each receiving $162,000.