HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — Lawmakers passed a resolution Thursday urging the governor to recognize that the conditions at the island’s only public hospital warrant the declaration of a state of emergency.
After a day full of debate on Resolution 215-37 on Wednesday, senators Thursday afternoon passed the resolution without amendment with 8 ayes, 4 excused and 3 nays.
Sens. William Parkinson, Roy Quinata and Joe San Agustin voted against the resolution while Vice Speaker Tina Muña Barnes and Sens. Sabina Perez, Dwayne San Nicolas and Amanda Shelton were absent and excused from voting.
On Wednesday, language in resolution 215 relative to a “whereas” clause that states failing to declare a state of emergency would necessitate “the call for federal receivership” to ensure proper management, guidance and support for GMH drew concern from Speaker Therese Terlaje. Her push to remove that language from the bill ultimately failed.
With Resolution 215 duly adopted, Sen. Blas successfully motioned to have Bill 164-37 reconsidered and placed on the emergency session agenda.
Bill 164-37, as introduced by the Republican caucus, would appropriate all audited fiscal year 2022 and 2023 excess funds to GMH for payment of repairs and cleaning needs.
While the discussion on the floor had yet to begin, Bureau of Budget and Management Research Director Lester Carlson said Bill 164 is sponsored by senators who “seem to generally want to help the hospital.”
“There’s no dollar amount and we are willing to help them redraft the bill to make it something that’s workable. The governor called Sen. Jesse Lujan Monday and said if you can get a $30 million General Fund authorization for vendor payables I will then take care of putting in $20 million for needed repairs, so the fiscal and physical needs of the hospital are addressed from two separate funding sources,” Carlson told The Guam Daily Post.
But where is the governor going to get the $20 million?
“That’s not an issue, she could take it from the new hospital pot, she can take it from other areas. Regardless, she has the ability and, quite honestly, she shouldn’t be pegged to one fund area versus maybe a little here, a little there. But until they pass the measure, I mean she’s not going to give the hospital $20 million for facility repairs unless the Legislature gives her the ability to help them pay vendor payables,” Carlson said.
Ahead of the emergency session, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero proffered a draft bill authorizing the Guam Ancestral Lands Commission to negotiate with the governor for the sale or lease of lots in Barrigada to be used as the site for the new medical complex, which includes a new public hospital. The bill also commits $20 million in American Rescue Plan funding.
The governor asked Speaker Terlaje to consider the draft bill for placement on the session agenda. In her letter she noted that Sen. Lujan, the main sponsor for Bill 164, had agreed to amend the bill to appropriate $30 million for outstanding vendor payables.
The governor’s assertion, however, was dismissed by Sen. Lujan, who said that was not the case given that the bill is “a caucus-introduced legislation and it should be heard and debated on the session floor.“
Sen. Jesse Lujan questions panel members during an emergency session Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, at the Guam Congress Building in Hagåtña. Frank San Nicolas/The Guam Daily Post
