Legislative session continues this week

by Jolene Toves

Guam - Lawmakers go back into session Monday to continue discussions on the proposed Fiscal Year 2014 budget.

Governor Eddie Calvo is hoping senators will consider implementing the hay study. The budget bill, which was substituted by committee chair on appropriations Senator Ben Pangelinan, sets aside $129 million for income tax refund payments, which is $16 million more than the original budget submitted by the governor. Calvo is hoping the $16 million will instead be used to pay for the hay study. 

Senators have been in recess since Thursday.  It's not clear whether the committee is making changes to the budget to include Calvo's additional $9 million request in Section 30 funds submitted in a letter to the Department of the Interior. According to BBMR director John Rios, every year Rev & Tax and DOI reconcile Section 30 funds owed to Guam. He told KUAM the Legislature will now have to take into account the additional $9 million and amend the substitute budget.

Session resumes Monday at 10 in the morning.