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A STATEMENT FROM THE GOVERNOR OF GUAM |
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Governor Felix P. Camacho today issued the following statement after receiving news that Private Joseph Miner was wounded yesterday in Afghanistan:
"Lt. Governor Cruz and I are praying for Private Miner's quick recovery. Private Miner was presented the Purple Heart and Infantryman Badge which speak to his valor and courage. We are grateful for his brave service and I ask the people of Guam also to keep him and his family in their prayers. "
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Camacho Delivers Sixth State of the Island Address |
Click here to view the State of the Island Address
April 14, 2008
Governor Felix P. Camacho tonight spoke to the people of Guam about the transition our government and island is making toward a season of transformation. Governor Camacho delivered his sixth State of the Island Address this evening, explaining the vision and direction the people of Guam must take, the opportunities for us, the foundations we will lay and the inheritance this generation will leave for the next. "As servant leaders, we have taken our charge to do all we can in the time allotted to lay a solid foundation upon which this community will build the new Guam," Governor Camacho said. Governor Camacho first detailed his Administration's efforts to lay a strong foundation for the Guam Buildup that will lead to an island "transformed by the work we do today." The Governor called for greater transparency by the Department of Defense and a true partnership, which will lead to a higher quality of life for the people of Guam. He explained that the buildup of our island has already begun, with efforts to sustain economic growth. The Governor told the people of Guam that we are already seeing record-breaking real estate transactions, hundreds of millions of dollars in government and private sector investments and a workforce that has grown by 5,800 jobs since the Governor took office. The Governor also outlined the steps he is taking to make homeownership possible for more people, reduce the island's dependence on fossil fuels and improve Guam for future generations. He expressed strong concerns with the Guam Public School System. "Since 1993, GPSS has spent more than $2.8 billion," Governor Camacho said. "Yet test scores are still low, facilities are not maintained, supplies are lacking, vendors are not paid and many high school graduates do not have the necessary skills to qualify and compete for gainful employment." The Governor added that, "We can no longer afford to pour millions of dollars into the Guam Public School System without the necessary accountability for those funds, and tangible results in our children's education. Much has been given to GPSS with little to show for it. The system in place is simply not working."
Governor Camacho is calling for:- A change in the school board composition so that some members are elected while others are appointed, because continuity is critical to the stability of the school system;
- Restoration of Executive Branch authority over GPSS to ensure checks and balances in budgeting, procurement and personnel matters;
- Reinstatement of the Governor's authority to appoint the Superintendent;
- Outsourcing of services where necessary; and
- The creation of charter schools within the GPSS system."
Governor Camacho also is calling on the Legislature to approve his proposal to finance the equipment for the new schools he is building, three of which are slated to open at the beginning of the next school year. The Governor also spoke about the government of Guam's deficit and the need for all leaders to work collaboratively to solve this long-standing problem. "The government's finances jeopardize the potential of our island to grow at a time when we are preparing for this historic buildup. The domino effect of the deficit is escalating the problem so that it will eventually touch every aspect of our people's lives." Click here to download the highlights of the Governor's address. (Word Format) Click here to download the State of the Island Address. (Word format) |
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Governor and Lt. Governor Launch Internship Program |
Deadline for 2008 Summer Term Interns is April 25, 2008 April 11, 2008 Governor Felix P. Camacho and Lt. Governor Michael W. Cruz, M.D. are pleased to announce the launch of the Office of the Governor and Lt. Governor Internship Program. Full-time positions are available in eight offices of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor during the summer and fall terms. Selected interns will receive course credit for their participation at the discretion of the college or university. Students are encouraged to apply. Application deadline for the upcoming summer term is April 25, 2008. "This internship is a way to motivate our future leaders, who will one day take the helm of our island," Governor Camacho said. "The program provides an opportunity to encourage responsibility and leadership." "We should seize every opportunity to inspire our young people to leadership and this internship program will do just that," Lieutenant Governor Cruz said. Applicants must be: * At least 18 years of age on or before the first day of the internship; * Enrolled in an undergraduate program at a college or university, or graduated the previous semester; and * A United States citizen. Complete application packets must include: * Office of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor Internship Application ; * Current resume; and * Three letters of recommendation. Application packets may be submitted by email or fax. They also may be delivered to the Office of the Governor – Central Files Office. Upon selection, candidates must consent to a security investigation prior to their start date and submit to drug screening analysis. All security measures are confidential and intended to protect the applicant as well as the Offices of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor. Complete program details and application form can be downloaded here . Further questions and correspondence about the Internship Program may be submitted to
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Interested applicants also may contact the Internship Coordinator, Charlene Concepcion at 475-8931 ext. 025. |
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Guam Reinstated Into National Flood Insurance Program |
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FEMA commends DPW's commitment and satisfactory progress
April 11, 2008
Governor Felix P. Camacho today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has reinstated Guam into the National Flood Insurance Program after more than a decade of probation.
Structural and procedural violations of Guam's Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance and NFIP regulations prevented local residents and businesses from participating in the federally-funded insurance program since 1992. Recent efforts by DPW and other government agencies to implement corrective actions have resulted in NFIP reinstatement and improved opportunities to compete for other hazardous mitigation assistance grants.
"This is a significant milestone in our mission to address the critical areas of concern and strengthen the foundations of our community," Governor Camacho said. "Since 1992, our residents and businesses were not able to participate in this federally-funded insurance program. I commend the men and women of Public Works for the tremendous job they have done to bring us into compliance with federal regulations to ensure the safety of our people and Guam's eligibility for critical federal assistance."
The NFIP was established to provide federally-funded flood insurance to property owners in communities that have implemented and enforced floodplain control regulations to prevent and reduce flood damages.
"Guam has now made satisfactory progress addressing the bulk of the documented violations," FEMA Regional Director Nancy Ward stated in a letter to Governor Camacho. "Our Region XI staff wishes to recognize the professionalism of Mr. Lawrence Perez, Director, DPW and his staff for their hard work in moving Guam towards compliance."
Ward acknowledged that while there are other issues that must be addressed, DPW and other government agencies have restored the agency's confidence enough to lift the NFIP probation. FEMA Region XI officials will continue providing technical assistance to ensure proper compliance.
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Guam Receives $291,055 for HIV/AIDS Treatment |
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Grant provides assistance for low income, uninsured patients
April 9, 2008
Governor Felix P. Camacho today announced that Guam has been awarded $291,055 to assist low income, uninsured and underinsured patients living with HIV or AIDS.
The funding is made possible through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act, which provides access to treatment and medication for qualified patients in communities throughout the nation.
"This is a major initiative that has helped the nation to address the critical financial issues concerning costly HIV and AIDS medical care and treatments," Governor Camacho said. "This grant is an important source of funding that provides our low income or uninsured patients with access to the medications and services they need to cope with this disease."
The original program, the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act, was established in 1990, in honor of Ryan White, whose fight against AIDS and AIDS-related discrimination helped to change the nation's view on the disease.
As of 2007, there were 193 reported cases of HIV and AIDS on Guam and nearly 60 deaths reported since 1985.
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Camacho Finds Solution to Fund Equipment for New Schools |
Governor urges Speaker to convene Special Session April 8, 2008 Governor Felix P. Camacho is allocating $1 million in Compact Impact Assistance funds over the next six years to fund equipment for the four new public schools under the Governor's municipal lease program. He is proposing a financing option to the Legislature to ensure equipment is procured and received for the three schools slated for completion by next school year. Under the Governor's proposal, the existing school lease company, Guam Education Financing Foundation, will finance the equipment over a six-year period if the Legislature approves a bill the Governor sent yesterday. The bill will allow GEFF to issue a parity bond and will waive procurement rules to ensure the equipment is ordered and received in time for the opening of schools. "We are excited about the opening of these new schools for Guam's children and we want to make sure they are fully equipped by the opening of the school year," Governor Camacho said. The Guam Public School System agreed to identify the funding needed to equip the schools when the Governor's project to build the schools began; however, the GPSS FY2008 budget request to fund this was eliminated due to budgetary constraints. The Governor instructed the Guam Economic Development and Commerce Authority to explore financing options available. Financial advisors, however, said there is no market for the government of Guam to finance the full cost of collateral equipment. The issuance of a second bond series with GEFF, however, is available. In order for the government to avail itself of this option, the current legislative authorization has to be amended to allow for this arrangement. The Governor has called on Speaker Won Pat to convene Special Session to act on this proposal , in order to ensure that the first schools are ready to receive students at the start of the new school year. "[T]he time is running critically short to finance and procure the needed equipment for the new schools to open at the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year," Governor Camacho wrote to Speaker Won Pat. |
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Governor Signs Law Requiring Performance Review at Public School System |
Seven other measures signed; three vetoed April 7, 2008 Governor Felix P. Camacho has signed Bill No. 164 (LS) into Public Law 29-61, which requires an annual performance review of the Superintendent of the Guam Public School System.
"The school system must be held accountable to the parents and students of public schools," Governor Camacho said. "This measure promotes transparency, so that parents and this community can hold the public school system to an acceptable standard of performance." Governor Camacho also signed: - Bill No. 1 (LS), now P.L. 29-58, makes literacy an objective of an adequate public education;
- Bill No. 118 (EC), now P.L. 29-59, requires all automobile insurance companies to electronically notify the Department of Revenue and Taxation when insurance is issued, cancelled or not renewed.
- Bill No. 120 (EC), now P.L. 29-60, rezones a lot in the Tamuning from Multi-Family Residential to Commercial;
- Bill No. 166 (EC), now P.L. 29-62, promotes the development of renewable energy;
- Bill No. 185 (EC), now P.L. 29-63, defines Guam's laws to protect children from internet predators;
- Bill No. 186 (EC), now P.L. 29-64, defines the unlawful use of theft detection shielding or deactivation devices; and
- Bill No. 222 (LS), now P.L. 29-65, reduces recording taxes for land transactions less than $300,000.
Governor Camacho vetoed: - Bill No. 25 (EC), which makes Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. day a paid government holiday; (veto message)
- Bill No. 72 (EC), which dissolves the Interim Transition Coordinating Committee; and (veto message)
- Bill No. 138 (EC), to require the Department of Land Management to receive documents in computerized data format. (veto message)
"While I admire and applaud the sacrifices and strides that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. accomplished in the struggle for equality, Bill No. 25 was passed by the Guam Legislature with no additional appropriation to cover the increased cost this government would incur," Governor Camacho wrote in his veto message to Speaker Won Pat. "Several of the holidays that were eliminated from the government of Guam, Presidents Day, Discovery Day, Good Friday, Columbus Day and Election Day, carry significant value to our people, however, our financial realities preclude us from granting those holidays. This does not diminish the significance of these events nor does it prevent the government or its employees from acknowledging or celebrating their significance." |
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GovGuam Preparing to Submit Guam Budget to Congress |
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Governor and Lt. Governor lead full meeting of C/MTF
April 4, 2008
The Governor and Lieutenant Governor this afternoon led a meeting of the Civilian/Military Task Force regarding preparations to submit Guam's funding needs into the federal Fiscal Year 2010 budget.
Members of the 12 sub-committees of the C/MTF are preparing a consolidated Guam budget Governor Felix P. Camacho will submit to Congress. The budget includes funding requirements to make infrastructure improvements and fund growth needs for education, health care, safety, administrative and indigent programs.
"The federal government has a duty to ensure this buildup benefits our entire community," Governor Camacho said. "We will make our case before Congress to fund the improvements our community needs in order to sustain economic growth and provide a better quality of life for our people."
Governor Camacho and Lt. Governor Michael W. Cruz, M.D. also received an update from the Natural Resources Sub-committee on the Strategic Mitigation Plan. This is the island wide action plan to mitigate harm on the ocean, land and air resources from rapid development. The plan is in its final stages.
"Everyone who wants to come to Guam and share in the opportunities ahead must join us in sustaining our resources and protecting our environment," Governor Camacho said. "We have a duty to future generations to protect our beautiful island and ensure everyone respects it."
Other sub-committees presented ongoing work and reported on the progress of preparing the island for tremendous growth.
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