In her weekly address, Won Pat challenged Gov. Eddie B. Calvo’s efforts to lay off GovGuam employees.
“Do not simply tell me government is too large and that you want to terminate personnel without telling me where it’s too large, why it’s too large, and how you plan to cut personnel without compromising the level of service,” Won Pat said.
The speaker said she and probably every member of the Legislature will rise in support of a more efficient and productive government. But she believes the reduction of the government’s workforce does not address the issue of GovGuam’s inability to generate enough revenue to sustain the current level of service.
“I say ‘no’ to the termination of classified government personnel without first exhausting all other options, and ‘yes’ to the streamlining of government through the consolidation of agencies, divisions and offices in order that we reduce the number of unclassified agency directors, deputy directors, specials assistants, and assistants to the assistants,” Won Pat said.
Whatever the governor decides, she assured GovGuam employees she will not endorse or approve any initiative that is not based on data, a sound rationale, and an anticipated set of predicted outcomes.
Won Pat said she also opposes a 10 percent cut across the board and increases in taxes.
“I was recently polled on whether I supported a 10 percent cut across the board, the layoff of government employees, or the increase of taxes. My response is simply: No. I will not yield in my objection to any initiative that further burdens the people of Guam without debate, exploring all possible alternatives, and a sound justification.”
Won Pat challenged Calvo’s argument that “government is too large.” “Really? On what set of criteria or benchmarks do you base such statements?
An increase in the number of personnel over a period of time does not mean we’ve grown beyond what is necessary. As a matter of fact, the courts have opined and even stipulated that certain positions in our government must be filled in order to meet federal mandates, such as the case with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse. In several other cases involving the need to meet industry standards for purposes of accreditation, our government was further required to properly staff and supply the operations of respective agencies,” said Won Pat.
