The following is news from the Office of Sen. Regine Lee:
Senator Régine Biscoe Lee successfully led an effort to give more money to combat illegal dumping in our villages. During deliberations on next fiscal year’s budget, all members of the 35th Guam Legislature approved a motion to increase the allocation to the Mayors Council of Guam (MCOG) from the Recycling Revolving Fund (RRF).
As the measure stands, the MCOG is guaranteed to receive $1.4 million for waste removal projects and services in the island’s 19 municipalities. This $400,000 (or 44 percent) increase, compared to the initial spending plan initiated by the Government of Guam, received widespread support.
“There has been a lot of contention when it comes to the RRF, but all of my colleagues agreed to direct more money to our villages — the front lines of the fight against illegal dumping,” Senator Lee said. “I am so thankful to all the members of this body, the MCOG, and Guam EPA for all supporting this effort. This unanimous effort means more, not less trash will be removed from the neighborhoods where we raise our families.”
The adopted amendment also includes accountability measures, by requiring approval from the Guam Environmental Protection Agency (GEPA) Board of Directors before the MCOG begins spending RRF funds in the next fiscal year.
This year's RRF surplus and Fiscal Year 2021 allocation were enough to give more to the mayors, continue funding GEPA efforts, and fund the Guam Green Growth (G3) Initiative that will take us beyond cleanups into a sustainable future with innovative and transformative work in the circular economy.
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