GUAM TO RECEIVE MORE THAN $2.5M IN FY 2023 COMPACT IMPACT DISCRETIONARY FUNDING

GUAM TO RECEIVE MORE THAN $2.5M IN FY 2023 COMPACT IMPACT DISCRETIONARY FUNDING

(Washington D.C.). Pursuant to Public Law 108-188 and calculated based on the corrected 2018 Estimates of Compact of Free Association Migrants conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, the United States Department of the Interior announced that the Government of Guam will be allocated $2,506,448 in Compact Impact discretionary funding for fiscal year 2023. These funds can only be used for educational purposes.

“While we appreciate the funding support, the reality is that both the mandatory COFA funds reimbursed to Guam and other host communities, along with these discretionary funds are not adequate and does not constitute as being equitable when compared to what Guam taxpayers are liable for when it comes to being a host community”, stated Delegate James Moylan.

Delegate Moylan commends the efforts of Ms. Zeni Natividad of the Guam Department of Education and Ms. Carlotta Leon Guerrero, who is the Governor’s advisor on Regional Affairs for their efforts in accumulating much needed data, inclusive of a cost analysis for the GDOE. This would be vital information as the negotiations on the renewal of the COFA commences this year.

“I look forward to working with Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and her administration in approaching the COFA negotiations here on a federal level, to ensure that reasonable options are placed on the table. My office is currently finalizing legislation which mirrors the efforts of Delegate Michael San Nicolas, in pursuing an off set of an increase in COFA reimbursements by waiving the requirement that COFA host communities need to match federal grants. These savings would result in millions in additional funding opportunities for Guam”, added Delegate Moylan.