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Guam veterans and nonprofits press for structural reforms after OPA audit; bill 19238 urged to strengthen oversight
Summary
Veterans and nonprofit representatives told a legislative oversight hearing the Office of Veterans Affairs lacks accountability, staffing and data systems. Witnesses urged passage of bill 19238 to give the Veterans Commission real oversight, raise pay for accredited veterans service officers and require better reporting.
Veterans, nonprofit providers and the Office of Veterans Affairs sparred over staffing, oversight and service delivery during an oversight hearing on the OPA audit.
Robert (Bob) Kelly, a veteran who testified in support of bill 19238, said the office’s accountability is broken because “the director reports to the governor, not to the veterans.” He urged the legislature to give the Guam Veterans Commission “real oversight authority, not just a ceremonial status,” including review of performance, budgets and policy decisions.
Kelly and other witnesses pressed for staff changes and higher pay for accredited veterans service…
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