Briefs due today supporting Legislature's argument on lawsuit

by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - Today marked the deadline for anyone interested in filing briefs as part of the Legislature's Democratic majority declaratory judgment case with the Supreme Court.

As we reported, they're asking the court to determine whether money in the Tax Refund Efficient Payment Trust Fund can be used for other purposes other than tax refunds. It was last week when Attorney John Terlaje on behalf of the Guam Legislature, submitted the opening briefs alleging that despite a clear mandate under the law, the governor has violated Guam law and has expended the funds from the trust fund to make unauthorized payments on other general fund and agency-specific obligations. The briefs due today are for those supporting the position of the legislature. The Governor's Office responded saying they have not violated the law adding the Administration remains confident in its policies that it has been doing to pay tax refunds. The governor's legal counsel Sandra Miller will be submitting their formal response brief next week on or before its due date on March 21.