Just a few days ago, REPUBLICAN Senator Chris Duenas introduced legislation that would reduce the salary of a Guam Senator and use the funds from the reduction for school busses. While the idea is a noble one, we here at 671 Politics can't support it. For one, Guam senators make $60,000 a year...even if each of the fifteen senators salaries are cut, it would not be enough to positively impact the over stressed bussing issues of the Department of Education and the Department of Public Works. Second, a reduction of pay will certainly not attract the future leaders (who are intelligent and capable) to seek a run for the Legislature. Instead of reducing legislators' salaries, we should look at
1. NOT PURCHASING ANY NEW GOVERNMENT VEHICLE FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF GUAM (EXCLUDING PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY AGENCIES AND INCLUDING THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR) FOR SEVERAL YEARS and use the savings to obtain new school busses and new school bus drivers.
2. INCREASE THE GRT BY ONE PERCENT FOR ONE FISCAL YEAR OR TWO PERCENT FOR TWO FISCAL YEARS TO COVER THE COSTS OF PROCURING NEW SCHOOL BUSSES AND SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS - if "everything needs to be on the table" THEN EVERYTHING MUST BE ON THE TABLE.
I am not a member of the Guam Legislature, nor have I ever been or will I ever be. However these "ideas" that seek to strip the powers and influence of a separate and co-equal branch of DEMOCRATIC government need to stop. The above two ideas would generate much more funds than the "window-dressing" legislation.
