Senator Blas Calls On DOI To Address Federal Mandates
Guam - Senator Frank Blas Jr. is calling on the U.S. Interior Department to address the adverse consequences of mandates placed on the territories by the Federal Government.
Blas was responding to a request from Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs Tony Babauta for input on the formulation of the Department of the Interior's strategic plan for the years 2010 to 2015.
In his response to Babauta, Senator Blas writes: "Although it is appreciated that there is a construct of a plan to assist the insular areas, what is critical to realizing this goal is recognizing the mandates that have already been placed on those jurisdictions and addressing the adverse consequences caused by the mandates."
In his letter Blas also raises the issue of Compact Impact reimbursement writing: "Since the implementation of the Compacts, Guam has played host to thousands of citizens who have migrated from the Freely Associated States. As a result, the amounts spent by Guam to provide services to these citizens far exceeds the grants provided by DOI as reimbursement for its costs."
"The continued failure to properly address this issue is stymieing the effort to improve the quality of life on Guam."
He concludes: "Guam cannot and should not advocate a plan that does not accurately reflect its desires or concerns."
