Carlos Pangelinan and I reached back into our days as members of the Republican Party of Guam to forecast whether the new Republican majority in the legislature will bring much-anticipated change, or operate business as usual. Here are the highlights of our fourth episode of Two Sides of the Lightbulb:
- Frank Blas, Jr. hopefully leads just as his father – the late Frank Blas, Sr. – governed.
- The previous legislature’s coalition was bad for Guam.
- This Republican majority appears to be more astute, capable of advancing some senators’ impending 2026 campaigns for governor and lieutenant governor without becoming the obstructionists who controlled the previous legislature.
- As for Speaker Blas, it is a double-edged sword to be the speaker and to run for governor at the same time.
- Special interest and the desire for Republicans to be reelected or elected to higher office might hamper progress on popular and needed reforms. Issues such as raising the minimum wage and providing greater access to health coverage will be fought by special interest groups who will threaten to withhold funding Republican campaigns if they actually push these issues forward.
- The Republicans will be busy with existing and on-their-doorstep controversies such as funding the current hospital, financing the development of a new one, the cost of living, taxes, consolidating public schools, and more.
- Government finances will be unpredictable once pandemic era funding runs out.
- LOW HANGING FRUIT: Republicans can pass the affordable housing bills that the previous legislative leaders held back and which the governor supports. Moving these bills to the front of the agenda can give the Republicans easy and early wins that will signal to the people that they mean business, can get work done, and are the change agents they promised to be.
- A lot of hope for the new Republican senators.
