Due to today’s cabinet meeting being devoted to discussion of the Drug Control Commission’s plans, the rmeeting touched briefly on other agenda topics.
Governor Lolo reported that he has received a call from the Assistant Secretary of the Interior, Insular Affairs Douglas Domenech who was sworn in on Wednesday and has taken up his position at DOI.
Lolo said the territory has congratulated Mr. Domenech and wished him well in his post.
On finances, the governor said that the financial team is working on closing ASG’s books for this fiscal year.
He said six
months ago, the projected deficit for Fiscal Year 2017 was originally thought to be $8 mullion, but it’s now expected to come down considerably. A clearer picture would be available come October.
Lolo told the meeting that the reduction is due to the combined effort of directors.
The governor said that all expenditures which were submitted after the deadline set for all encumbrances, have been returned to the respected departments. He said it’s important that the government balance its books.
Governor Lolo cautioned that 2018 will be a difficult year.
The cannery is to close down for 5-7 weeks and the government is trying to obtain assistance for affected workers but as of now no assistance has been found.
