[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6481955,"mediaKeyId","5598217-dda6d5b59e653d53473daf4d118cef4c","parentId",5598217,"title","Senators press for larger Guam Office of Veterans Affairs budget amid conflicting lapse figures and cemetery grant confusion","audioSeconds",3641,"startMs",3279000,"endMs",6920000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5598217-dda6d5b59e653d53473daf4d118cef4c&start=3279&end=6920","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5598217-dda6d5b59e653d53473daf4d118cef4c/thumbnail_3279000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6481955/Senators-press-for-larger-Guam-Office-of-Veterans-Affairs-budget-amid-conflicting-lapse-figures-and-cemetery-grant-confusion","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6481955-aec158863244354c6e0f194c19a45338/orig.mp4?Expires=1771104637&Signature=GqAYHyQnpPVhtMz8LLztp6ZYkBsmUP8bbcueP5Ik4sIUdbiHH7r-dO70gujHsYdiuXySMrvQ5zh0fn5d7pv4rmOf6POBjbVtrjqDgBdSVFcbBiuMQ5~7koM5HVr9dia3htcgkQluwHktKsxPuRwypk6dX5gLVHVjYqLNf8m1b1Fuhr7f5v6nyWvggNqnnK8nPV1IIJcEcbLKaQjDAi7hoQ-4-UA9Pcwp4hHyaogCPyyEY-3bL1GN5TlXPCAjr-xRZJC1i2Ce8ni6zksu1FmM7FbmsUt2Rnhs1xJo-wG~RxIXBWLoLgKK7GvyyRjhJ9GwXELQEFIWLBL8jWRn-ABlAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Guam Legislature","date","2025-08-19T09:02:30Z","article","The Committee of the Whole reviewed the Guam Office of Veterans Affairs’ budget during Chapter 5 hearings, leaving the agency’s FY‑26 appropriation near the executive branch request but drawing sustained commentary from senators who said the office needs more staff and program support.

Office of Finance and Budget Director Steve Guerrero said the Office of Veterans Affairs’ FY‑26 appropriation is $1,246,443 from the general fund. Guerrero told senators the governor’s executive budget (EBR) included a larger figure — about $1.5 million — and that the committee‑level ceiling is roughly $261,000 below the governor’s request.

Multiple senators described the agency’s operational strains and cited recent legislation that added verification and other duties to the office. Senator Barnett criticized the budget priorities of the ongoing session, contrasting a proposed $40 million business‑privilege‑tax reduction with relatively modest local funding for veterans’ services. “Just because the executive budget request left the veterans in a lurch … doesn’t mean that we have to do the same thing,” Barnett said.

On financial details, senators and OFB cited varying figures for lapsed balances and carryovers. Guerrero read CER (Current Expenditure Report) figures showing FY‑24 lapses of about $343,000 and, in a later citation of June CER data, a current lapse figure of $648,000. Other witnesses and members, including Senator Montanani and staff at the Office of Veterans Affairs, reported different on‑the‑ground figures (one official told senators there was an $80,000 balance available for ongoing purchases). Guerrero said budget ceilings considered historical expenditure trends and noted long‑standing vacancies: “...there’s 11 vacant positions that are totally funded,” he said; later he noted five positions were included in the FY‑26 ceilings for salary and benefits.

Senators also addressed a widely publicized federal cemetery grant. Several members said the administration mischaracterized the award: the grant announcement described in public messaging was, according to senators who followed up with the National Cemetery Association and agency staff, a notice of funding opportunity that was later pulled and will be re‑applied for. Senator Salas Montanani told the committee the administration “misspoke” when it said the award had been received and said the application will be resubmitted.

Committee members signaled intent to seek amendments. Senator Parkinson and others said they would support efforts to add funds; an amendment to carry over lapsed funds was placed into the committee’s amendment hopper during the session for later consideration.

No final appropriation change was made on the record during the hearing; the committee recessed to consider amendments and continue Chapter 5 deliberations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","38th Guam Legislature FY2026 Budget Session - August 19, 2025 AM","oneSentenceSummary","The Committee reviewed the Guam Office of Veterans Affairs' FY‑26 request and left the appropriation near the executive recommendation, while senators criticized status‑quo funding, questioned lapse figures, and sought clarity on a cemetery grant that was announced prematurely.","taxTitle","General Government Operations and Appropriations\t, Legislative, Guam","taxId",18139,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6481959,"Committee holds Commission on Decolonization to status quo budget as senators urge stepped-up public education",1627,1742000,3369000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5598217-dda6d5b59e653d53473daf4d118cef4c&start=1742&end=3369","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5598217-dda6d5b59e653d53473daf4d118cef4c/thumbnail_1742000.jpg","/articles/6481959/Committee-holds-Commission-on-Decolonization-to-status-quo-budget-as-senators-urge-stepped-up-public-education","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6481959-c66d2578773eb3b5d087746c46f231be/orig.mp4?Expires=1771104637&Signature=OkThzVsI-RxoyLXgDs7ZuNWeCb4dUDrCMLQWiXBjjwDHnev0LqQKSQ-0uYAb~E~kAIhTnd83jk8aK9l5e11p03AitLhcLWqaMcvAlgeQfG9fWjVHfLxhqqhF8qkZhJRrf6GJNvKxhtwLstS~2h0zSTz8a6UtooLSCjD3U04gDuOT~liDo8XdaoRqBK5Nw9IjX0UqRXifwTz8HwdHFlQErI0T~~BSKg~kaIU8nhOhJUtSNLqDztGn5po1qVba~qMdsYeF9zrUeBTOILaWDbf1KLfTbFoMfYwTxqifQ1k~Qyaaq9zO6TJj5UKuQQP~3EmVA1U7u4r-83o4pTIdvmOkoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee of the Whole heard testimony and commentary on the Commission on Decolonization during Chapter 5 budget hearings and left the agency’s FY‑26 appropriation essentially at the current level.

Office of Finance and Budget Director Steve Guerrero told senators the commission’s total general‑fund appropriation for fiscal 2026 is $317,488. The budget also includes a $165,000 line to support an incentive public education and information program and a $55,000 allocation “to each task force” for FY‑26 (statehood, free association and independence task forces), Guerrero said.

The status‑quo decision came as senators pressed for follow‑up and wider public outreach. Senator Chris Parkinson, who said he had read the commission’s study volume Guia Moana “from cover to cover,” urged colleagues to increase future funding for public education so residents can make informed choices about political‑status options. “While this year I definitely agree with keeping a status quo budget for the Commission on Decolonization, I think as public interest begins to ramp up in our community … in future budgets … we should consider upping the distributed amount,” Parkinson said.

Guerrero described FY‑24 financial activity for the commission, citing the government’s financial reports: a lapsing balance of $146,843 as of Sept. 30, 2024, and spending in FY‑24 of about $170,000 on commission activities. Senators asked for more detail on the commission’s contractual services line; Guerrero said the FY‑26 digest lists $32,000 budgets for each task force (free association, statehood, independent), which together total roughly $96,000.

Senator Borja asked whether the $32,000 contractual line covered consultants, outreach, or other specific services; Guerrero said the digest specified task‑force support but did not provide a further breakdown during the hearing. Parkinson and other senators emphasized the commission’s role in informing voters about the three decolonization options — statehood, free association and independence — and urged the Legislature to consider larger future investments in education and community engagement.

No formal vote was taken during the hearing; senators were advised they may file up to four amendments for Section 5 (the executive budget) while the panel is seated.

The committee concluded the commission’s section and moved on to other agencies; several senators said they will continue to press for additional education funding in subsequent budget deliberations.","The Committee of the Whole kept the Commission on Decolonization’s FY‑26 operating level largely unchanged but acknowledged rising public interest and several senators urged future increases for education and outreach. OFB reported lapses and line-item allocations for task forces and public information work.","actionData","errors"]

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Senators press for larger Guam Office of Veterans Affairs budget amid conflicting lapse figures and cemetery grant confusion

Committee holds Commission on Decolonization to status quo budget as senators urge stepped-up public education