Cruz to DOE: Find Creative Ways to Operate Within Your Means
Cruz to DOE: Find Creative Ways to Operate Within Your Means
(Hagatna-April 15th 2012) “Austere times require austere measures” that is the message to Department of Education (DOE) Acting Superintendent Taling Taitano from Vice Speaker Benjamin J.F. Cruz in a letter sent Friday afternoon.
Cruz recently introduced Bill No. 430-31 at the request of the Department of Health and Human Services. The measure would allow the Government of Guam to join in mutual use contracts with other states and municipalities to procure goods in bulk, therefore making the goods required to run the government much less expensive.
Assistant Attorney General John Weisenberger in his testimony in support of Bill No. 430-31 wrote the following;
“Cooperative purchasing has become a powerful tool for state and local governments because it saves time, money and resources.”
In his letter to Taitano, Cruz urged the Acting Superintendent to look into ways Cooperative Purchasing could help save the DOE up to 30% on goods it needs to run the department. The DOE should also consider joining cooperative purchasing organizations such as US Communities to see how it could benefit from its services which are at low or no cost.
“As you can see from its high participation rate and significant savings to public entities across the nation, your department and the government as a whole could benefit tremendously by participating in a program such as this.” Said Cruz “I urge you to look into the feasibility of joining this or a similar alliance to create savings for the Department of Education which can be used however the department sees fit.”
##
A copy of the letter, a US Community fact sheet, and a copy of the Attorney General’s Testimony is attached. For more information please contact Carlos Pangelinan at 477-2520.
