by Mindy Aguon

Guam - While the Calvo Administration has touted saving $1.2 million by cutting back on filling various cabinet positions and reducing expenditures at Adelup, the Guam Legislature contends it has made a practice of being frugal for the past few years. Committee on Rules chairman Senator Rory Respicio says the cost-cutting began several years ago when the Democrats took over the Legislative Branch of the local government, faced with the possibility of a half-million dollar shortfall.

"We did many things here; the power bill went from $21,000 a month down to about$12,000 or $13,000 a month, which is what we're hovering right now. We also discontinued the trash contract of about $800 per month and have our staff just take turns collecting trash throughout the offices and twice a week we take them up to the Ordot Dump and pay the tipping fee," Respicio said.

By also leaving about 20 positions vacant, Respicio says the 30th Guam Legislature was able to amass $734,000 in lapses. That money is being used when senators don't get the full allotments released.

Respicio adds the total salaries of every legislative staffer last year cannot be compared with the 31st Legislature since there are five new senators.