As the holiday season begins, governments and their agencies are reacting to it, or dealing with unfinished business on their agendas.
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios vetoed House Bill No. 2374, which was due to “impose a 3% tax on certain constructions activities.”
The bill originated as House Bill No. 2320 and was filed by Rep. Edmund S. Villagomez of Saipan’s Precinct 3, who is the current speaker of the House, together with Representative Blas Jonathan “BJ” T. Attao. It was to impose a 3% surtax on gross revenues derived from non-residential construction projects that cost $350,000 or more.
The Department of Defense and the Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency signed a Memorandum of Understanding, aimed at increasing participation of minority business enterprises within the defense industrial base, according to a Nov. 20 release, CHamoru Standard Time.
“Under the agreement, the DoD and MBDA will leverage their networks, expertise, and resources to create pathways for MBEs to integrate into the defense supply chain. Key initiatives include providing access to specialized training, encouraging supplier diversity, and delivering capacity-building programs to enhance the capabilities of MBEs, and enable them to contribute more effectively to national security needs,” the release said.
The MOU will also support MBDA's mission to promote the growth and global competitiveness of MBEs, emphasizing areas such as technical assistance, strategic growth planning, and access to financing. The partnership aims to not only enhance equitable opportunities for MBEs in high-growth industries related to defense but also facilitate connections with DoD programs such as APEX Accelerators, Rapid Integrated Scalable Enterprise, and the Mentor-Protégé Program, the release said.
The Guam APEX Accelerator office offers various training opportunities and advice for businesses. Also see the latest news on the Mentor Protégé program at https://www.mbjguam.com/businesses-pair-future-mentor-protege-agreement-and-running
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Guam Branch reminds that submission of nominations are due no later than 4 p.m. ET on Dec. 5. For information see www.sba.gov/nsbw.
Government of Guam employees will have an additional day of vacation on Nov. 29, the day after Thanksgiving, following an executive order by Gov. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero. No word yet as to whether the Government of the Northern Mariana Islands will be given the same extra day off.
The U.S. Department of Labor is “eager to return $203,978 in wages recovered by its Wage and Hour Division’s Honolulu District Office to 157 workers who have earned them,” it said in a Nov. 20 release. The Honolulu District Office is responsible for back wage distribution in Guam.
U.S. DOL also encourages people to use the Workers Owed Wages online tool, available on its website to report infringements.
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration is prepared for the busiest Thanksgiving travel period on record and is projected to screen 18.3 million people from Nov. 26 to Dec. 2, representing a volume increase of approximately 6% from this time in 2023. Passenger volumes have reached record highs in 2024, with an increase of 17% since 2022, TSA said in a Nov. 20 release.
All liquids, gels and aerosols must be 3.4 ounces or less when packed in a carry-on bag. Certain foods, such as gravy, cranberry sauce, wine, jam and preserves – which are considered liquids or gels – must be packed in a checked bag if they exceed 3.4 ounces. Passengers may bring solid foods such as cakes and other baked goods through checkpoints.
In related news, United Airlines on Nov. 20 reported bookings to European destinations are up nearly 30% compared to 2019 and up almost 10% versus last year, as more Americans opt to spend their holiday dollars on experiences. According to a recent Deloitte survey, consumer spending on holiday experiences is expected to rise 16% this year, while spending on physical gifts remain flat, the airline said.
American tourists are drawn by Europe’s holiday markets, United said.
The Guam Economic Development Authority announced Nov. 19 an extension of the application period to Jan. 31 for its Qualifying Certificates Community Contribution Grant Program Series 7.
The program offers up to $25,000 per award toward eligible community-focused projects and programs for non-profits and government departments or agencies. Since 2019, this grant program has awarded more than $1.861 million through 106 grants.
Due to recent reports of avian influenza cases now detected in Hawaii, the Guam Department of Agriculture Animal Health Division has expanded the poultry ban to include all live poultry imports and hatching eggs from Hawaii, effective immediately.
The ban applies to live poultry and hatching eggs only, as there is no threat from poultry commodities such as meat and eggs for consumption. Avian influenza outbreaks typically last for a few months and naturally subside as the migratory birds, which are natural reservoirs for the virus, complete their migration pattern. mbj
A timely roundup of news of your governments at work
A timely roundup of news of your governments at work
- Date Posted: Nov 20, 2024
- News: Guam
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A timely roundup of news of your governments at work