by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - Governor Eddie Calvo is still carefully reviewing Bill 278. The measure was passed by lawmakers during the governor's State of the Island Address and would freeze raises for all elected leaders and cabinet members to October 1, 2013 levels. The Governor's Office had raised concern over how it would impact cabinet members and today released a list of the salary increases of the directors and deputy directors under the executive pay plan. The only exception is the Mayors Council of Guam executive director Angel Sablan who sees a $9,700 increase in salary under the Hay plan. Aside from that, the highest increase goes to Department of Corrections director Jose San Agustin, who would see an increase of $9,800. Deputy press secretary Phil Leon Guerrero says the salaries and personnel decisions of the autonomous agencies are handled by their respective boards and operate outside of the General Fund. Those not included in the list provided include the Airport, GVB and the Guam Economic Development Authority. Leon Guerrero does point out that the total cost for annual cabinet salary increases is estimated at $123,000, slightly above the legislative majority's legal counsel who has a salary of $120,000. The governor has until the end of Tuesday to act on the measure before it lapses into law.