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USDA Official Visits Guam, Presents Grant for Cultural Development |
Governor Camacho and Lorraine Shin encourage residents to inquire about several affordable housing programs June 23, 2008  Lorraine Shin, Hawaii State Director for U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, presented a $25,000 grant to Governor Felix P. Camacho this morning following a meeting between the two leaders. The grant will be used to conduct a preliminary architectural and engineering study for the expansion of the Chamorro Village. "We are grateful to USDA and excited to start the expansion project at Chamorro Village so we can encourage more cultural activities and small business growth among our people," Governor Camacho said. "This is a $25,000 check to the Department of Chamorro Affairs to help your community expand its cultural facilities," Ms. Shin said. Sylvia Flores, Acting President for the Department of Chamorro Affairs, said the architectural and engineering study will look at the current footprint of the Chamorro Village. The results of the study will be used to determine how to expand the Chamorro Village, including possible plans for a three-storey building to house the Department of Chamorro Affairs, the Council on the Arts and Humanities Agency and a gallery. Affordable Housing
Governor Camacho and Ms. Shin also discussed the availability of several housing and home-repair programs, which help Guam's elderly residents and low to very-low income families. The USDA Section 504 grant successfully has assisted 17 elderly residents to make home repairs. The loan leverage program partnership between USDA and the Guam Housing Corporation, also known as the Governor's Building Dreams program, has helped 31 families achieve the dream of homeownership. These and other programs through USDA are available to residents who qualify. |
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Media Advisory – 06/22/08 |
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Lorraine Shin, Hawaii State Director for U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, will present a grant to Governor Felix P. Camacho tomorrow, June 23, 2008. The grant will help to start a project to expand cultural facilities and help increase the number of local small businesses. More information on this project will be available during this presentation, which will be held in the Governor's Conference Room at 10:30 a.m., Monday, June 23.
Ms. Shin is visiting Guam and meeting with Governor Camacho to discuss affordable housing opportunities for the people of our island.
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U.S. DOE Threatens to Suspend GPSS Funds; Governor Renews Call for Change at GPSS |
June 18, 2008 Governor Felix P. Camacho is renewing his call for direct management control of the Guam Public School System following a letter from the U.S. Department of Education today informing the Governor and the public school system about the possible suspension of the release of the Fiscal Year 2008 consolidated grants to GPSS. U.S. DOE's concerns are due to recent events at GPSS and the current administrative instability. "As I warned in my State of the Island Address in April, there must be a change to the composition of the school board, a restoration of Executive Branch authority over GPSS and the reinstatement of the Governor's authority to appoint the Superintendent," Governor Camacho said. "We must change the way GPSS operates, otherwise this government will jeopardize millions in funding and students will suffer for it." U.S. DOE Risk Management Service Director Philip A. Maestri, in his letter to the Governor, specifically cited the termination of former Superintendent Luis Reyes, the appointment "and subsequent immediate resignation" of Superintendent Giovanni Sgambelluri and the designation of two Interim Superintendents for GPSS, all within the span of three months. "The apparent volatility of the GPSS management leadership raises significant concerns about the organization's ability to continue to improve its administration of Federal education grants, to plan for the allowable and effective use of Federal funds, and to implement Federally-funded programs and projects in accordance with all applicable Federal requirements," Maestri stated in his letter. In addition to the instability of GPSS leadership, U.S. DOE also is concerned with the pending decision to delay the opening of public schools and the lack of a list of viable reform programs schools may implement at the start of the 2008-2009 school year. Maestri stated the government of Guam "must satisfactorily demonstrate its compliance with program requirements as well as its administrative capacity by June 27, 2008, so that we may make timely decisions on the issuance of FY 2008 grants to GPSS." Governor Camacho immediately called Speaker Judith Won Pat after receiving the letter, provided her a copy and discussed the importance of the Executive Branch and the Legislature working cooperatively to resolve this issue, which continues to plague GPSS. "We are working with Speaker Won Pat to address this issue and to pass legislation that will demonstrate to U.S. DOE our commitment to fixing the problems at GPSS once and for all," Governor Camacho said. "I call on all senators, parents, students and teachers to support the changes we are proposing that will restore stability and accountability to the leadership of GPSS. Our actions will determine the fate of millions in federal funding and should be focused on what is in the best interests of students." Speaker Won Pat will be holding a public hearing on Tuesday, June 24, 2008, at 2 p.m. for Bill No. 293, which proposes the creation of a hybrid school board and the reinstatement of the Governor's authority to appoint the Superintendent. Later that afternoon, Speaker Won Pat will hear Bill No. 248, which proposes charter schools. The Governor has endorsed both measures. "The current way GPSS is functioning has failed," Governor Camacho said. "We cannot allow GPSS to continue operating the way it is now. Our schoolchildren are too important and we must change things to give students a better education and learning environment, so they can achieve their God-given potential." |
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Leaders Focus on Student Performance, Building a Workforce |
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Camacho, Won Pat and Sgambelluri gather with nation's governors in North Carolina for Governors Education Symposium
June 13, 2008
(North Carolina) Governor Felix P. Camacho joined the nation's governors in calling for a greater focus on growing workforce capacity by promoting a college education and measuring student performance.
Governor Camacho is in North Carolina with Speaker Judith Won Pat and public schools Superintendent Giovanni Sgambelluri for the annual Governors Education Symposium, a joint initiative by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and the James B. Hunt, Jr. Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy.
The Governors Education Symposium brings the nation's governors together to engage in candid dialogue about improving education in the United States. Throughout the three-day symposium, governors explored strategies and policies from around the country and globe for developing a world-class education system for all American students.
"The educational performance of our students today will determine our economic competitiveness in the future," said Governor Camacho "Governors all across the country are working to ensure their students are internationally competitive with those from top-performing countries. Our goal is for students from Guam to rank at the top. A focus on student performance with a mission to prepare Guam's schoolchildren for the careers of the future will help us to reach that goal."
"How U.S. student achievement compares internationally is alarming," said former North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt of the Hunt Institute. "If we are going to change our international standing and improve the quality of education, it has to start with high, rigorous standards."
Governors share successes and challenges in their states and discussed breadth of challenges in making American public education globally competitive, including:
Effectively Measuring U.S. Student Performance
High, rigorous standards are the foundation of a strong education system. Content standards specify the knowledge and skills that students need at each grade level. These standards must be supported by an aligned and clearly articulated system of curriculum, assessments, teacher preparation and professional development, textbook selection and appropriate support for students.
Improving the Quality of the Teacher Workforce
Research suggests that quality teaching is the single most important school-based factor in determining student achievement. School systems from top-performing nations share three common characteristics: improving the quality of the teaching force; providing support to teachers; and building structures to ensure that schools deliver high-quality instruction to every child. With nearly half of all new teachers in the United States leaving within the first five years on the job, teacher retention is a critical component of solving teacher shortage problems. Working conditions play a large part in teachers' decisions to remain in a school.
Increasing College Graduation Rates and Workforce Capacity
Amid the shifting demands of the global knowledge economy, it is critical that today's workforce have higher levels of postsecondary education or training than ever before. Our nation has seen a dramatic increase in the marketplace demand for workers with postsecondary education. The demand for workers with postsecondary education has increased from 28 percent in 1973 to 59 percent today.
Redesigning Education Finance Systems for Greater Efficiency and Effectiveness
State education funding comprises nearly 50 percent of total state government expenditures, but rising costs and competition with other sectors have significantly tightened public education funding. State financing systems should be modified to ensure that student learning drives education finance decisions.
For information about the Hunt Institute and the Governors Education Symposium, please visit www.hunt-institute.org.
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Funds Awarded to Complete Dandan Land Condemnation |
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June 13, 2008
More than $2.1 million in federal grants requested by Governor Felix P. Camacho has been allocated toward the municipal solid waste landfill project.
The Fiscal Year 2008 Capital Improvement Project Grant request was approved by the U.S. Department of the Interior on June 11, 2008.
"This is another step forward in our efforts to close the Ordot Dump and open the new landfill," Governor Camacho said. "This is a priority for our community that we've expressed to the Interior Department and we appreciate their partnership."
The funding will supplement $1.4 million in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 CIP grants, which were allocated toward the condemnation of the land at Dandan for the new sanitary landfill. The supplemental $2.1 million in FY 2008 CIP grants provides additional funding to compensate landowners, whose land is being condemned for the sanitary landfill.
"We will continue working with GBB to move the process forward and open a new landfill once and for all," Governor Camacho said. |
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Port Partners with Maritime Administration to Lead Modernization Efforts |
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June 7, 2008
The U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration will help the Port Authority of Guam in upgrading and modernizing the Port of Guam in anticipation of unprecedented cargo movement into the island.
Governor Felix P. Camacho recently has signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Port Authority of Guam and Maritime Administration, naming Maritime Administration the lead agency for the Port Modernization Initiative.
"I am excited about this partnership, which means more resources and greater opportunities to build port facilities that will sustain the economic future we envision for Guam," Governor Camacho said. "This partnership understands the needs of our people, the U.S. military in its build up effort and how the seaport's success will mean greater prosperity for our people."
The MOU signals a major federal commitment to the buildup efforts in Guam directly affecting the civilian community. Among its responsibilities, Maritime Administration will coordinate with other federal agencies that receive annual Congressional appropriations and other funding that is identified for port modernization, assist the port on the NEPA process and expedite the modernization of the port by engaging professionals to perform environmental studies inclusive of overall engineering design of the port and construction activities.
"We are honored to be involved in this project," Maritime Administrator Sean T. Connaughton said. "The Commercial Port of Guam is vital to our national security, not only because of its location, but also because of its ability to assist in deployment of defense assets."
Maritime Administration will administer the implementation of the Port Modernization Initiative when and if the Legislature adopts it. The agreement also is contingent on Senate passage of H.R. 6007, introduced May 8, 2008, by Congresswoman Bordallo, which authorizes Maritime Administration's involvement. The agreement will be amended accordingly if the Senate does not approve H.R. 6007 by September 30, 2008.
"I want to thank Congresswoman Bordallo for her efforts to get this authorization through Congress and I encourage the U.S. Senators to adopt the plan swiftly," Governor Camacho said.
Maritime Administration previously has partnered with seaports in Alaska and Hawaii, modernizing the port facilities there. Along with Maritime Administration, the Port of Guam extends the "Coalition of the Committed and Willing," which includes key Federal partners such as the Office of Insular Affairs, Economic Development Authority, USDA, and the Office of Economic Adjustment, all of whom have contributed to efforts at the Port. The strategic alliances formed in support of the Port Modernization Initiative, showcases the collaboration between the government of Guam and the Federal Government to improve the overall quality of life for all Guam residents.
The Port Modernization Initiative calls for $195 million in improvements to the entire port facilities to accommodate the import and transshipment of goods during the height of the Guam Buildup and to sustain Guam's economic growth beyond the next decade. Ten percent of the planned expenditures, or $19.5 million, already has been identified. Parsons Brinkerhoff International, the contractor that updated the 1999 Port Master Plan, will provide the first draft of the Financial Feasibility Study in mid-June. This study will give clear financial direction as to how the $195 million in improvements under the initiative will be funded. |
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GovGuam to Receive $4.4 Million for Environmental Mitigation Projects |
U.S. Navy, federal agencies sign agreement with GovGuam to fund reforestation projects
June 5, 2008
Governor Felix P. Camacho today signed an agreement with the U.S. Navy and other federal partners that will provide $4.4 million to fund the reforestation of 500 acres of land around the Cetti Bay Watershed to prevent further damage to Guam's coral reefs caused by environmental erosion.
"This is an important initiative that further demonstrates the need for Guam to work closely with our federal partners to ensure that we are given the resources and support we need to sustain Guam as we move forward with the military buildup," Governor Camacho said. "The health of our natural resources is critical to sustainable growth and our quality of life during this buildup and in the future."
The mitigation project is part of the U.S. Navy's requirements set by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to extend the Kilo Wharf on the U.S. Naval Station Guam to mitigate coral reef damage in the surrounding area.
The agreement is the result of a partnership between the government of Guam, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency, the Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S Fish and Wildlife Services, the U.S. Forestry Services and the National Marine Fisheries Services.
The agreement was signed this morning during a press conference held in the Governor's Conference Room, Adelup.
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EITC Checks Ready within Two Weeks |
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Governor receives judgment, orders fiscal agencies to process and release $16M in checks at earliest possible time
May 30, 2008
The Administration will begin issuing EITC checks based on the court settlement within two weeks.
Governor Felix P. Camacho received the judgment on the settlement on May 23, 2008. The Governor's fiscal team has been meeting to determine the processing and release of checks at the earliest possible time. The Department of Revenue and Taxation has begun processing the EITC claims, which will be turned over to the Department of Administration for the printing and release of checks.
"This is welcome news for Guam's families, especially during this time when prices are rising and the cost of living is becoming less affordable," Governor Camacho said.
Governor Camacho has set aside more than $16 million in anticipation of the final judgment. The amount will pay for the remaining 1997 and 1998 EITC claims, 1995 claims, 1996 claims and almost all of the 1999 claims. The Administration paid a portion of the 1997 and 1998 EITC claims last year. The remaining balance from the total $90 million settlement to EITC claimants will be paid from a 15 percent set aside of monthly refunds paid out. |
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A Message from the Governor of Guam
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