“We asked government employees to do without their Hay increase and for taxpayers to have patience with their tax refunds as we fix the cash crisis,” Calvo said. “We had to set the highest example of fiscal responsibility by cutting positions in our own staff and in our cabinet. It’s only right.
More importantly, we hired very capable people who can take on more responsibility so that we don’t have to hire more employees,” he added.
Although budget funding exists, $506,846 will be saved by not filling in one quarter of line agency cabinet positions, according to a press release from the governor’s office.
These positions include the deputy directors for Human Resources Development, Bureau of Budget Management and Research, Department of Corrections, Department of Agriculture, Department of Labor, Department of Land Management, Department of Youth Affairs, Guam Environmental Protection Agency, Guam Public Library System, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Department, Department of Parks and Recreation; and for the Arts and Humanities Council agency director, Guam Customs and Quarantine agency director, Hagåtña Restoration and Redevelopment Authority executive director, PBS Guam assistant general manager and Guam Public Library System director.
Calvo and Tenorio also cut about 21 staffer positions in their offices along with cuts to the Washington liaison office, the Guam Medical Referral Office, the Government House and Bureau of Information Technology which will save $679,121.
“In realizing the severe cash position the government is in, the government has asked the executive agencies to contain costs and enhance revenues. He needed to set a high example by cutting costs where he could to help relieve the dire cash situation,” said Troy Torres, communications director.
Calvo’s fiscal team is in the process of reviewing draft recommendations from government agencies for reducing the government’s financial deficit. According to the release, it is unknown how long the process will take.
