by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - Over the weekend lawmakers took action on Bill 268 relative to implementing the Government of Guam Competitive Wage Act of 2014. The measure followed two heated public hearings with the Department of Administration over the governor's pay raise plan proposal.

In her weekly address, Speaker Judi Won Pat says because DOA refused to provide the information, the legislature chose to act in the best interest of the people. "We need to know the breakdown of the cost from agency-to-agency, so we can ensure there won't be any shortfalls and that critical services will not be negatively impacted. It's the most prudent thing to do," she said.

The revised plan will provide raises to classified and unclassified employees by February 9. These raises however won't be available until the administration provides the information the legislature has been requesting. If the information is not made available by February 9, employees will receive their pay retroactively to that date once the information is provided.