Guam's gubernatorial candidates clash over economy, government reform

By Ron Rocky Coloma

Guam’s gubernatorial candidates put the island’s economy, government efficiency and the cost of living at the center of their latest debate Saturday, laying out competing approaches to reviving tourism, helping small businesses and improving government operations.

The Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce hosted its Congressional & Gubernatorial Forum & Debate on Aug. 29 at the Hyatt Regency Guam, where the Republican team of Tony Ada and EJ Calvo and their Democratic opponents, Therese Terlaje and Sabina Perez, fielded questions on economic opportunity, child care, health care, permitting, the hospital, environmental protection and the airport.

Moderator Patti Arroyo opened the debate by telling attendees that voters should not have to depend on political advertising or curated social media to evaluate candidates. She said debates give candidates a chance to discuss policy in the same room and allow voters to become better informed.

The discussion repeatedly returned to a common problem: Guam needs more economic activity while businesses and residents continue to face high costs, workforce shortages and delays in government services.

The candidates differed more sharply on how the government should respond, with the Republican team emphasizing management and execution and the Democratic team focusing on government reforms, transparency and targeted support.

Ada pointed to workforce development and apprenticeship programs, saying the government should expand opportunities for residents to work while pursuing education and career training. He also cited reducing the business privilege tax from 5 percent to 4 percent to leave more money with businesses.

Calvo said rebuilding tourism would be one of the Ada-Calvo administration’s first economic priorities, arguing that Guam has lost substantial economic activity since before the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We need to focus on improving the destination, cleaning up, investing in our product, investing in our attractions on the island that are really, you know, we don't need to reinvent the wheel,” Calvo said.

Terlaje said her administration would focus first on improving businesses’ interactions with the government, particularly permitting and procurement. She called for online systems that would allow applicants and the public to see where delays occur.

She also said economic diversification would require preparing workers for industries Guam hopes to attract and addressing practical barriers to employment, including transportation and child care.

“We want good jobs for all of our people. We want good opportunities for women and for everyone,” Terlaje said.

Perez said Guam should focus on local investment rather than relying primarily on offshore investors. She proposed expanding support for small businesses throughout their development, including when they are starting, expanding or changing direction.

Perez also promoted cooperatives as a way for businesses to pool purchasing power and potentially lower costs.

She also suggested a similar cooperative approach could help small businesses and sole proprietors obtain more affordable health insurance.

Ada agreed that a cooperative model could be considered for health coverage, saying the government should also explore ways to encourage local insurers to participate.

Child care emerged as another economic issue, with both teams describing it as a barrier for working families.

Ada said Guam should seek additional federal child care funding and partnerships that could increase assistance without displacing local families.

Terlaje said local funding may have to continue if federal support does not meet Guam’s needs, while the government should work to reduce operating burdens on child care providers.

Perez said subsidies could be supported through additional revenue streams and argued that caregiving itself should receive greater recognition in the economy.

The candidates also faced a direct question about abortion.

Ada and Calvo embrace the Republican Party’s pro-life stance.

Ada said he is personally “for life” but would evaluate legislation as it reaches his desk and follow laws enacted by the legislature.

“If I do veto a bill that I believe is not going to be right, and they turn around and override that veto, then I will be mandated by law to follow it, and that's what I will do,” Ada said.

Calvo said the government should provide education and resources to help families overcome financial, child care and other obstacles.

Terlaje said she did not enter the governor’s race to wage a fight between women over abortion and instead emphasized maternal health, children’s services and access to care.

“I am not running to bring in abortion doctors. I'm not running to do any of those things,” Terlaje said. “I am running because, as I said earlier, we have a crisis of women in Guam who need health care.”

Government performance became another dividing line.

Ada and Calvo argued that Guam already has too many laws and regulations needed to address problems ranging from illegal dumping to federal grant compliance, but the government needs stronger execution and management.

Calvo proposed leveraging technology to improve government efficiency and communication among agencies. Services provided by the Department of Revenue and Taxation would be early areas for improvement, he said.

Terlaje and Perez said they would prioritize making contracts, procurement, and permitting information available online so the public and businesses could track government processes and identify delays.

Perez said public procurement has safeguards that distinguish it from private-sector purchasing and argued that publishing solicitations online could expand competition and give more businesses a fair opportunity to participate.

ADVERTISEMENT

Both teams were open to some use of private-sector assistance to accelerate permitting. Ada said public-private partnerships could help agencies lacking specialized personnel, while Terlaje noted that Guam law already allows private inspectors in certain circumstances.

On the future of Guam’s hospital, Ada said the first priority should be stabilizing Guam Memorial Hospital while plans for a replacement move forward. He said no potential location should be automatically excluded and that funding, debt service, permitting, and environmental reviews should be considered before a final decision.

Terlaje said the legislature had already acted to finance a new hospital and select a site, but the incoming administration would have to assess how far current plans have advanced by the end of the term. She also called for continued investment in the existing GMH while Guam waits for a replacement.

Deep-sea mining produced another contrast in emphasis.

Ada said Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands should work together with their delegates and federal agencies to ensure the Marianas has a voice in decisions affecting the region. He said environmental protection requires Guam to have a seat at the table with federal officials.

Terlaje said Guam should continue opposing deep-sea mining because of environmental uncertainty and the lack of guaranteed local economic benefits. She cited legislative efforts to restrict mining activity in areas under Guam’s authority and prevent local ports from supporting such operations.

Subscribe to

our digital

monthly issue