Acting Gov. Joshua F. Tenorio has rejected a Republican proposal to freeze hiring and limit pay raises across the Government of Guam, telling lawmakers it conflicts with opinions from two former attorneys general.
In a June 8 letter to Speaker Frank F. Blas Jr., Tenorio said Bill 331-38 (COR) runs contrary to the Organic Act of Guam, the federal law underpinning the island's government.
Blas, in his own letter, said he and Vice Speaker Vicente "Tony" Ada introduced the bill to restrict hiring of limited-term and unclassified employees through the rest of 2026 and cap pay increases — except organic and merit increments — for all government employees until Sept. 30, 2027, covering line, autonomous and semi-autonomous agencies. He attributed the move to fiscal stability concerns, citing questions raised by the Office of Public Accountability's fiscal 2024 audit, the pending fiscal 2025 audit and the anticipated loss and return of federal funding. He called the bill "a responsible and measured response to fiscal uncertainty" offered in a spirit of cooperation.
Blas and Ada are challenging each other to lead their party's slate in the 2026 election. All three elected leaders, including Tenorio are seeking the gubernatorial seat.
Tenorio cited a 2012 opinion by then-Attorney General Leonardo Rapadas and a 2018 opinion by then-Attorney General Elizabeth Barrett-Anderson, both concluding the Legislature cannot encroach on the executive branch's authority to allocate staff and resources. Such a freeze, however framed, would violate the separation of powers, he said.
The acting governor said his administration shares lawmakers' commitment to fiscal discipline, pointing to eliminated deficits, stronger cash reserves and steady revenue collections, but warned a broad freeze would be unenforceable and could undermine services.
"Ideas to strengthen the Government of Guam's fiscal health are welcome," Tenorio wrote, while stressing proposals must abide by the law.