Bill to limit governor s emergency powers goes to override vote
By Joe Taitano II
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Lawmakers will be voting on whether to override Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero s veto of a bill that would limit the power of the governor to continually extend a state of public health emergency.
Bill 11 was vetoed in March by the governor. It would automatically terminate a state of public health emergency after 90 days, unless renewed by a resolution of the Legislature, and require another renewal by senators every 30 days to prevent termination.
The bill would also let lawmakers vote terminate the declaration at any time if there is no high probability of death, serious disability or substantial future harm.
Decades in court: the history of the Ordot dump
By Steve Limtiaco
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The Ordot dump was recognized as hazardous in the 1980s, but took decades to close. Here are some of the key events related to the dump:
-Prior to 1950: The starting date of the dumpsite is unknown, but there is evidence that the site was used by the Japanese as a disposal area during World War II. The U.S. Navy continued using the site as a dump after the liberation of Guam.
-1950: Ownership of the site is transferred to the government of Guam.
-September 1983: The Ordot dump is placed on the National Priorities List of hazardous waste sites in the United States eligible for long-term cleanup financed under the federal Superfund program.
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Certain small businesses on Guam could benefit from limited business privilege tax exemptions through a measure which saw broad support during the latest legislative session, but lawmakers are still hesitant about the reduction in revenues that could result.
On Monday, Lawmakers went into committee to discuss Sen. Joe San Agustin s Bill 74, which would permanently exempt business privilege taxes beyond 3% to on the first $250,000 earned annually by small businesses. The exemption applies to businesses that earned between $50,000 and $500,000 in gross annual income in the most recent tax year.
With Guam s BPT level at 5%, it would represent a 2% tax reduction on that first $250,000 in earnings. A temporary exemption was put in place by San Agustin and members of the 35th Guam legislature, but is set to expire in June 2022.