Oh calls on private sector to support BPT reduction override on Sept. 29
BY SKYLER OBISPO
Journal Staff
Guam Chamber of Commerce chairman, Tae Oh, spoke to the Chamber’s membership on Sept. 23, again rallying support for the reduction of the Business Privilege Tax in the proposed Government of Guam Fiscal Year 2026 budget bill.
Leon Guerrero argued that the reduction in the BPT is a tax giveaway for “the favored few” and more needs to be allocated to address the needs of the Guam Memorial Hospital.
“Rolling the BPT back toward 4% is not a giveaway,” Oh said. “It is a long overdue relief that helps stabilize prices, keeps doors open, and preserve jobs across our island.”
Tae Oh, chairman of the Guam Chamber of Commerce spoke at its membership meeting on Sept. 23. Photo by Skyler Obispo
Since the BPT increase in 2018, no funds were set aside to support the Guam Memorial hospital, according to the chairman.
He said that GMH is being used as a political tool, noting that roughly $10 million in American Rescue Plan act funds were “effectively lost” due to reprogramming disputes and that the Guam Department Education is facing federal funding shortages.
“When [the] government fails to prioritize, the public pays twice,” he said. “Once at the register, and again through broken services.”
The chairman called on the Chamber membership to show support for veto override in the upcoming session of the 38th Guam Legislature on Sept. 29.
Lawmakers will need 10 votes to override the veto and prevent a government shutdown on Oct.1.
The Republican majority will need at least one Democrat vote to override or rework the budget again. mbj
With Super Typhoon Bavi now packing maximum sustained winds of 160 mph and forecast to strengthen further as it moves toward the Marianas, emergency officials are urging businesses and residents to treat this weekend as their critical window to prepare for potentially damaging winds.
Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands are now in Condition of Readiness 3 as Typhoon Bavi approaches, with both governors urging residents and businesses to use the remaining hours of fair weather to prepare.
Task Force Talon relinquished command to the 3rd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment (3-43 ADA), ushering in a new battalion to take over Guam’s air missile defense systems.
Emergency management agencies across the region are urging residents and businesses to execute disaster preparedness plans as Tropical Storm 09W is forecast to rapidly intensify and potentially strike Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands as a Category four super typhoon.
