He is frustrated by what he described as a lack of decorum in the legislature over the last few years , and the effect of that discord on public participation in the legislative process .

“ We say that we ’ re the house of the people ,” he said . “ What many have expressed to me in the community is almost a fear of coming down and participating in the discussions and deliberations and bringing forth ideas because of the degradation and just being insulted when you come before the body . Respect is earned .”

The 37th Guam Legislature was marred by a collective discomfort over the infamous “ lewd gesture ” that compelled senators to censure Sen . William Parkinson . A resolution cited Parkinson ’ s “ disorderly , sexually explicit hand gesture ” directed at Sen . Joanne Brown , which “ caused significant inconvenience , annoyance and distress ” in the session hall .

“ I want to bring back a degree of respect and decorum and no fear of voicing your opinion . Bring back the confidence the people should have in this legislature . That ’ s the first thing ,” Blas said .

Blas is the first Republican speaker of the Guam Legislature since 2008 . Republicans have retaken control of the

Guam legislature after flipping seats in the Nov . 5 elections , which secured nine seats for the party against the Democrats ’ six .

In a break from recent practice , he will not serve as a member of any standing legislative committee , but rather will be a member with voting rights on all committees . He will then be able to direct discussions , he said .

He plans to support committees rather than control them . “ Their agenda is my agenda ,” Blas said . “ That will be my role .”

As the speaker , he hopes to “ usher along discussions that will help to rebuild our economy , fix our health care system , and take a look at our growing crime problem ,” he said . “ Hopefully , we can eliminate a lot of these problems before they get any worse than what they are right now .”

Blas acknowledged differences of opinion with the governor , particularly over spending federal funds . He cited American Rescue Plan Act funds which , the legislature has been told , are under the purview of the governor , he said .

He has told the administration many times his opinion on policy matters with little result , he said . “ She knows where I ’ m coming from . I don ’ t hide my intentions .”

He understands the governor ’ s role and authority and is willing to provide support and policy direction or changes in the law , he said . “ I ’ ll be there to help her to do that .” But he wants to get involved and to have his opinions taken

into account in the process .

With the change of administration in the federal government , Blas anticipates that it will be increasingly important for Guam to account for the proper use of federal funds , particularly the $ 400 million in federal grants the territory receives annually .

Donald Trump , who is returning to the White House , has said he is concerned about government efficiency and how the people ’ s money is being spent . Blas is concerned that Guam could lose federal funds .

“ If money is not being spent properly , or not being used at all , they ’ re going to come for it ,” he said . “ I just want us to make sure that the money we ’ re getting is being maximized ; that we ’ re using it the way it should be used .”

One example of the local government ’ s reliance on federal funds for essential government functions is the Guam Homeland Security and Office of Civil Defense . “ If the grants are gone , much-needed service is gone as well ,” he said . “ What are our contingencies for that ? We don ’ t have any contingencies .”

Blas said he plans to apply performance measures -which are currently lacking – to the planned scrutiny of government spending .

Such standards will help determine whether spending is at an appropriate level . “ Have we created more programs just to have the programs , or are there programs that we can consolidate or get rid of ?” he asked .

Previous policy was “ write out a

check and say ‘ go .’” Now , government money is to be spent “ on the purpose for which it is allocated .”

He emphasized the importance of frugality and being prepared for unexpected expenses . And he noted that one ongoing government expenditure is its lingering debt .

As a family business owner , Blas said he has an accurate sense of the state of the local economy , particularly its downturn over the last five years in the wake of the pandemic .

“ My business continues to suffer while the government continues to operate as if nothing happened ,” said Blas , who owns Frank Blas & Associates , an insurance brokerage .

Before the pandemic , people were able to obtain the insurance coverage they needed . Since then , a number of his customers have gone out of business , left island , or are struggling to pay premiums . “ Right now , revenue is being substituted by the military buildup . But when those businesses shut down , business is going to be rough .”

Blas is a former Guam Police Department officer and served as a member of the 29th , 30th , 31st , 33rd , 36th and 37th Guam Legislatures . He served as Guam Homeland Security adviser from 2002 to 2006 .

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