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Governor Signs Measure Authorizing the Financing of School Equipment |
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April 29, 2008
Governor Felix P. Camacho today signed Bill No. 269 into law, authorizing the financing of equipment and funding off-site infrastructure to prepare new schools for the upcoming school year.
"I thank Speaker Won Pat and the Legislature for passing my bill to fund the infrastructure and equipment the new schools need," Governor Camacho said. "We will work quickly to ensure these new schools are equipped and ready to open for students."
Bill No. 269, now Public Law 29-69, authorizes financing for the off-site infrastructure for Liguan and Adacao Elementary schools and Okkodo High School and for the collateral equipment needed for those schools. When Governor Camacho first committed the use of Compact Impact assistance grants to finance a municipal leaseback agreement to build new schools, the Guam Public School System was supposed to identify the funding for equipment. The Legislature, however, removed GPSS' funding request for this equipment due to budgetary constraints.
Governor Camacho then committed more Compact Impact funding to finance the equipment and off-site infrastructure. Legislative authorization to implement this financing was required.
Capitol District Fund; COLA; Forensic Crime Lab
The bill was signed into law with legislative riders relating to the creation of the Capitol District Fund; the guarantee of the payment of GTA's note to the bank so that COLA class recipients can receive payments from the note; and the appropriation of the $324,000 paid to the Judiciary by Greenberg Traurig to the Guam Police Department for the purchase of lab equipment for the Forensic Crime Lab.
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Micronesian Leaders Sign Historic Agreement |
April 26, 2008 (Koror, Palau) Governor Felix P. Camacho has signed the Joint Communique of the Ninth Micronesian Chief Executives Summit. Governor Camacho signed the Communique at the center with: - Palau President Tommy Remengesau, Jr.
- Federated States of Micronesia President Emanuel Mori
- Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Governor Benigno Fitial
- Kosrae Governor Robert Weilbacher
- Yap Governor Sebastian Anefal
- Republic of the Marshall Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs Tony de Brum
- Pohnpei Minister of Finance Thomas Pablo
The Communique formalizes an agreement, which advances the regional exploration of renewable energy, workforce development, environmental sustainability, tourism and transportation. "Micronesia is coming together to address the high cost of electricity, provide the best careers to our people, sustain our natural resources and pave the way for economic prosperity," Governor Camacho said. "United, we can make a significant difference in all of our islands and provide every community in Micronesia a higher standard of living." The agreements forged were historic. The Micronesian Chief Executives Summit started as a group of four member states in 2004, agreeing to address issues of regional and mutual concern. This ninth summit has grown to eight members and produced regional cooperatives on issues ranging from energy production to workforce development. Key agreements established in the Joint Communique call for:- The development of the Micronesian Center for A Sustainable Future;
- The finalization of the Micronesia Conservation Trust to carry out the mandates of the Micronesia Challenge (the conservation of at least 30 percent of near-shore marine and 20 percent of terrestrial resources across Micronesia by 2020);
- The development and implementation of a regional sustainable energy policy, which will address the rising cost of electricity and progressively reduce the reliance on fossil fuels;
- The initiation of a regional feasibility study and assessment on different renewable energy sources including wind mapping, ocean energy and solid waste energy;
- The approval of the Statement of Commitment to Combat Invasive Species for presentation at the Ninth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Bonn, Germany next month (all leaders signed the statement);
- The evaluation of the cost effectiveness of creating and maintaining a regional tertiary health care center in Guam;
- The exploration of alternate arrangements of shipping transport to promote the export of Micronesian agricultural and aquaculture products;
- A dialogue with the government of Guam and the Port Authority of Guam to lower or waive the transshipment fee being charged against Micronesian-bound cargo;
- The approval of the charter for the Regional Workforce Development Council, which will align workforce development with vocational education and other training programs throughout the region and leverage regional resources;
- The approval of a three-year Regional Awareness Campaign to promote all the islands of Micronesia to tourists as "Magnificent Micronesia," using available resources and media; and
- The U.S. to permit the Freely Associated States to join the National Exchange Carriers Association to bring greater access to telecommunications to Micronesians.
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First Lady Assists San Diego Coalition for the Homeless |
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April 25, 2008
First Lady Joann Camacho earlier this month visited to the San Diego Coalition for the Homeless in San Diego, California. The First Lady made the stop as part of her visit to Washington, D.C. to meet with officials on the nation's homeless situation.
She joined the San Diego Coalition for the Homeless Executive Director, Sandy Maynes to distribute donated goods to the community's homeless people. The First Lady arrived in San Diego on April 7. The Coalition distributes food, clothing and other items to more than 300 homeless people three times a week. Bread, pastries, frozen food, clothing, diapers and other items are solicited from local businesses in the community. |
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Governor Announces Guam's Selection for Grant and Formation of Guam Early Learning Council |
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April 25, 2008
Guam has been awarded a $10,000 grant by the National Governors Association – Center for Best Practices to support early childhood learning.
Governor Felix P. Camacho said the grant will support Guam with the formation of a new early childhood advisory council or the implementation of an existing one. The grant also will assist in meeting the provisions of the Improving the Head Start Act of 2007, which requires governors to create or designate a collaborative body to coordinate resources and build greater coherence among federal and state early childhood programs and services.
The selection committee said Guam's proposal most clearly met the expectations and criteria by which all proposals were measured. The selection committee also considered Guam's plan thoughtful and convincing for pursuing the goals and activities of the early childhood advisory council and established clear indicators to measure the success of a comprehensive early childhood agenda for at-risk children ages birth to five years.
Governor Camacho signed an executive order to establish the Guam Early Learning Council on April 9.
"We are excited to establish the Early Learning Council to support agencies and organizations both private and public that serve young children," Governor Camacho said.
The Guam Early Learning Council members will be made up of public and private child serving agencies including non-profit organizations, private child care providers, pediatricians and family practitioners, educators and other professionals. The council will make recommendations to improve the quality and delivery of health care and education services for Guam's children ages birth to five years.
The National Governor's Association – Center for Best Practices develops innovative solutions to today's most pressing public policy challenges and is the only research and development firm that directly serves the nation's governors.
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Governor Camacho Attends 9th Micronesian Chief Executives Summit |
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Alternative Energy and expansion of Summit focus of two-day meetings in Palau
April 25, 2008
(Koror, Palau) Governor Felix P. Camacho and the leaders of Micronesia this morning convened the 9th Micronesian Chief Executives Summit and built consensus on developing regional solutions to the high cost of energy, solid waste management and recycling and environmental concerns.
"We have joined together as one Micronesia to discuss renewable energy, tourism, workforce development, the environment, conservation and education," Governor Camacho said in his opening address to the summit members. "For the first time in many years, all of Micronesia's most pressing concerns will be brought to one place."
"We need to build the capacity in our people and we need this to be sustaining for generations to come," Governor Camacho said. "I am hoping that the work we accomplish is not just for the present, but for the future."
Governor Camacho joins the bi-annual meetings with Palau President and Chairman Tommy Remegesau Jr., CNMI Governor Benigno Fitial and Federated States of Micronesia President Manny Mori. Also joining the 9th Summit is Yap State Governor Sebastian Anefal, Kosrae State Governor Robert Weilbacher, Republic of the Marshall Islands Foreign Minister Tony de Brum and Pohnpei State Director of Finance Thomas Pablo. The meeting is historic because of the participation of leaders from the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, who now sit as members of the summit.
"The issues we face are not unique to one single island and must be dealt with collectively to ensure the quality of life of every resident of Micronesia is protected," Governor Camacho said.
The Micronesian leaders this morning elected President Remengesau as the Secretariat of the Micronesian Center for a Sustainable Future; heard a presentation by telecommunications group PTI offering greater cellular and land-line service into Micronesia; and adopted recommendations of the Micronesia Challenge presenters to take significant steps in supporting the conservation of land and marine resources.
The most significant topic discussed was energy. The Regional Energy Committee has proposed a North Pacific Energy Alliance, the development of a regional sustainable energy policy, a regional feasibility study of renewable energy and a regional petroleum purchasing cooperative. The Micronesian leaders all agreed that this move must be addressed immediately. As a group, they agreed they must lobby the U.S. Congress and other organizations with resources for funding to begin turning the islands to renewable energy production. In the meantime, Governor Fitial has asked Governor Camacho to consider a fuel farm in Guam to service Micronesia as a way to bring down current diesel fuel costs. Governor Camacho said he will discuss the matter with the Port Authority of Guam and businesses positioned on Cabras island. He said it is critical that the leaders of Micronesia confront the energy crisis with alternative and renewable energy solutions.
"With a united position and clear vision we can get the support we need to turn the region to renewable energy production," Governor Camacho told the other leaders.
The summit is ongoing with afternoon presentations on workforce development, transportation, invasive species and geothermal energy.
The two-day meetings at the Ngarachamayong Cultural Center in Koror also will focus on a number of issues including discussions on a medical referral program for all islands in the Western Pacific and a review of the activity of the existing working committees of the Summit.
The Chief Executives also will consider the inclusion of the Republics of Kiribati and Nauru into the Micronesian Chief Executive Summit.
"As leaders of our island communities, we must look to our neighbors of the Central Pacific to strengthen our relationships and share in the economic boom that is to come to Micronesia over the next 10 years," said Governor Camacho. "We must ensure the expansion will benefit everyone from our respective islands at every level."
The Micronesian Chief Executives Summit was founded in 2004 by former-CNMI Governor Juan Babauta and Governor Camacho who called for the establishment of the sub-regional meetings to establish closer ties, enhance existing ties, expand future discussions and agree on beneficial initiatives for the benefit of the entire Western Micronesian Region.
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GOVERNOR AND LT. GOVERNOR ANNOUNCE INDIRECT COST TRAINING FOR PUBLIC SECTOR PERSONNEL |
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April 24, 2008
Governor Felix Camacho and Lt. Governor Michael Cruz, M.D. announce that the Guam State Clearinghouse (GSC) will host a four day course to strengthen Guam's ability to prepare federal program indirect cost proposals. Indirect costs are general administrative expenses incurred by agencies in support of various federal programs.
Mr. Charles Hester from the United States Department of Agriculture's Graduate School, Pacific Islands Training Initiative, will facilitate this course entitled: Developing and Negotiating Central Services Cost Allocation Plans and Indirect Cost Rate Proposals; which will be paid by the U.S. Department of Interior's Territorial Technical Assistance Program. Training sessions are scheduled from April 29 thru May 02, 2008, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., at the Department of Administration's training room in Hagåtña.
Employees from several agencies have been invited to participate in this seminar including the Bureau of Budget and Management Research, Department of Administration, Guam Public School System, University of Guam, Guam Community College, and the Department of Public Works.
For additional information, please call Mr. Jason Tedtaotao at 475-9380 ext. 903 or send an e-mail to
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Federal Partners Help Guam's Capital Financing Needs |
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April 18, 2008
Governor Felix P. Camacho and Lt. Governor Michael W. Cruz, M.D. will host the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Farmer's Credit Administration's Rural America Group and their financial firm, Morgan Keegan, to discuss ways Guam may creatively fund critical healthcare, education, infrastructure and housing projects. Public and private sector representatives will be present to learn and discuss innovative financing methods in anticipation of Guam's growing population and military expansion.
"These options are important because our current fiscal condition makes it difficult for the local government to obtain conventional financing for healthcare projects and other critical priorities," said Lt. Governor Cruz. "Guam's financial challenges should not prevent us from finding creative ways to meet the demands of our growing community."
USDA and Morgan Keegan advisors are also expected to meet with the Guam Memorial Hospital to explore financing options for capital improvement projects including the expansion of Guam's only civilian hospital.
This forum will be held at the University of Guam's Jesus and Eugenia Leon Guerrero School of Business and Public Administration Building, IT&E Lecture Hall, on Wednesday, April 23, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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LT. GOVERNOR URGES COMMUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 2nd JUSTICE BONE MARROW DRIVE |
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April 18, 2008
As a recipient of the bone marrow test, Lieutenant Governor Mike Cruz demonstrated how simple the procedure is and humbly asks the island community to participate in the 2nd Justice Bone Marrow Drive.
"The courage and life of Justice Taitague continues to give hope to those suffering from a terminal illness," said Lt. Governor Cruz. "By participating in this drive and registering with the National Bone marrow Registry, we continue to honor the bravery of this remarkable girl and possibly save a life."
The event will be held this Saturday and Sunday, April 19-20 at the Guam Premium Outlets.
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