Appellate court denies government's motion for stay

by Mindy Aguon

Guam - The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has denied the government's motion for a stay in the Ordot consent decree case.  In a two-page decision, the appellate circuit noted, "It is not clear that this court has jurisdiction over these appeals."

In addition to consolidating all of the appeals from the Governor's Office in the case, the 9th Circuit Court also issued a briefing schedule that has the parties filing briefs in February and March of 2014.

Governor's communications director Troy Torres said, "The problem is that for two years, none of the legal teams at the table were interested in how all these decisions by the receiver would cost the people of Guam more money. That's why we've been fighting to make sure GovGuam has a voice in this."

Torres added that the appeal is necessary since the federal government continues to impose rate increases and the Administration looks to prevent any further cost increases.