The Fiscal Year 2026 executive budget relies heavily on revenue from income taxes, business privilege taxes, and federal grants.

Key drivers of the budget include military construction projects, new healthcare facilities, and the leaseback financing for Simon Sanchez High School.

However, concerns linger over Guam's reliance on federal funding , inflation, and potential impacts from federal tax policy changes.

Senator Chris Dueñas, Chair for the Committee on Finance and Government Operations, shares his insights. 

“If you look at the priority areas, I’ve got to say at this point in time, it looks to be a reasonable budget presentation,” said Sen. Duenas. “So, I think there’s a recognition that we need to definitely tighten up now and not increase budgets by extreme measures.”

In addition, he shares his joint disappointment with the Public Auditor’s office that the FY 2023 audit is late and his plans for FY 2024's audit.

“I’m planning to benchmark the 2026 budget against making sure and insisting … for the 2024 budget audit to be done, prior to adopting the 2026 levels,” said Duenas. 

KUAM also spoke with Adelup’s Director of Communications, Krystal Paco-San Agustin.

“So, the Governor’s budget requests have consistently been lower than the actual money that Gov. Guam ends up collecting and that’s why the legislature has been appropriating excess revenues year after year,” said Paco-San Agustin. “In fact, the Governor’s budget requests have been so conservative that every single year, the Government of Guam has eliminated its deficit and created annual surpluses, all during a time when tourism was still in recovery.”

As the legislature begins budget deliberations, lawmakers will play a key role in reviewing and potentially amending the proposed allocations to ensure fiscal responsibility and transparency.

You can find the budget here: here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Dvjja6OybNACq2KFsMWh9PgT3p3gGfYa/view?usp=sharing.