Leave ego at the door, read and do your research, develop a thick skin, and acknowledging that others also have good ideas are key to a strong new Guam Legislature, according to some of the longest-serving senators.

Majority Leader Tom Ada, Minority Leader Jim Espaldon, Sen. Frank Aguon Jr., Sen. Tommy Morrison and Sen. Dennis Rodriguez Jr. have a combined 58 years of experience as lawmakers, and they all chose not to seek re-election.

"Park your ego outside of the session hall, stay flexible and remain cordial with each other so that we can work together as a team," Ada, D-Tamuning, said. "These are certainly points that I've tried to live by as far as I could, during my 18 years at the Legislature."

Espaldon, R-Tamuning, said a senator has to overcome a "steep learning curve quite quickly to be effective."

"And I think it would behoove the new senators to stay humble, to stay real, and to stay connected to the people. I know there are some senators who don't like to return phone calls just because sometimes they just don't want to be bothered and whatnot," Espaldon said. "I think that's the essence of politics on this island, that people like to be able to contact and speak with their senators, the people they voted for."

Aguon, D-Yona, said listening to the people's will and being a public watchdog goes a long way in keeping the government in check.

"None of us alone has all the answers but by working together and seeking advice from outside our inner circles, and most importantly, listening to the will of the people, the right answer that will keep our government good will always arise," said Aguon, who ran a write-in gubernatorial campaign that helped the overall write-in votes reach a historic high of 8,205 or 22.82 percent of the gubernatorial votes cast in 2018.

Morrison, R-Umatac, said lawmakers should focus on addressing specific initiatives and policies they advocated for during their campaign.

He said senators also should use their limited time in the legislature to research, present, and defend their proposals, and ensure timely implementation in coordination with the executive branch.

'Equally good ideas'

In his nearly two decades as a senator, Ada said one of the most valuable lessons he learned is "recognizing the fact that you're not the only one that has good ideas, that other people have equally good ideas."

There are many competing interests so one has got to be able to learn how to compromise so that those other competing interests are also protected, Ada said.

"Unfortunately, you are not gonna always get everything that you want but at least if you're able to cover the fundamental needs of your constituency, then at least they're that much better off today than they were before then," he said.

Having an open mind is also important, Espaldon said.

"They will be requested by various individuals and various parties to consider policy or legislation which will address a situation they're confronted with," he said. "And the decision that new senators need to make, if they do pass a policy to help this group of individuals, whether it really is in the best interests of the island as a whole over the long term, that's what the scope and perspective always got to be."

Senators should never take their votes on legislation for granted, Morrison said.

"Unfortunately, support for a particular issue can easily change depending on political pressure. With this observation, I believe history will judge me on how consistent my decisions have been especially when the popular and politically convenient alternative was readily available," said Morrison, who helped establish the Office of Technology, to strengthen information technology infrastructure.

'Work to make an impact'

Rodriguez, D-Dededo, said incoming senators must work "to make an impact" and not get caught up in wanting to make an impression on constituents.

"Impressions will be temporary, but impact will last a lifetime," he said. "Your happiness should come from truly helping our people and working to make our island a better place for everyone, for Todu Guam."

Rodriguez, who finished last in the four-way Democratic gubernatorial primary race, said newcomers should "never give in to the artificial attractions of special interest and individuals who really don't have intent to better our island."

"Pray, keep your faith, and God at the center of all you do and decide upon, and you will continue to have that burning desire to serve our people, just like I continue to have today," he said.

Rodriguez said "no day is ever easy" but he said the work he's done in the past eight years "has been the most fulfilling."

Espaldon said it's important that senators develop thickness of skin.

"They always say there's a thickness of skin that you have to develop, and to not take anything too personally. Go home and breathe, not take it seriously by the time you get home," he said.

Read, hire good staff

For newcomers, it is critical that they hire staff members with experience in research, analysis, writing and legislative process and procedures, Espaldon said.

Reading reports and materials from various sources, he said, is important in making good policy decisions.

"I know in the past, I have had some colleagues who didn't read much and really the only arguments they would make on the floor would be based upon what they read in the newspaper when really, the substance of the issues are in the reports and they might be very voluminous but the substance of the issues are in those reports," he said.

It's also important that incoming senators, he said, understand the budget process because "the budget really is what dictates how the various agencies can work."

"If you try to put too much money into one agency because there's a real need, you might take away monies that are needed in other areas that you might not think is real important but yet serve a very important function to the clients of that agency," Espaldon said.

Laying the foundation

Aguon said it's been an honor and privilege to serve in the "people's house" for 18 years and be a "public watchdog" by rolling back salary increases for public officials, and uncovering and addressing issues involving the Chamorro Land Trust Commission, among other things.

He said all this helps lay the foundation for the new administration, "to bring some sense into government operations with the Government Reorganization Act."

After six years in the Legislature, Morrison said he's proud of his office's common sense policies, such as establishing dedicated funding source for village recreation facilities and youth sports program, that build stronger communities and help ensure young adults are off the streets and on the courts and playing fields instead.

These policies also help to keep families engaged in healthy activities which ultimately contribute to the broader battle against diabetes, obesity and heart disease, Morrison said.

What's next?

Only seven of the 15 members of the current Legislature sought and won re-election.

"I want to do something different, whatever that might be," said Ada, one of the senior advisers for Gov.-elect Lou Leon Guerrero and Lt. Gov.-elect Josh Tenorio. Ada also heads the gubernatorial transition team's subcommittee on infrastructure and transportation.

Espaldon, an attorney by profession, said he's not closing his doors to opportunities after the 34th Legislature comes to an end, including helping the new administration.

The incoming 35th Legislature — with eight newcomers and seven incumbents — is raising the bar for diversity, representing a wide range of ethnicities, trades and professions. It is also historic because 10 of its 15 members are women.

"When you're a senator, you're one amongst 15," re-elected Sen. Mary Torres, R-Santa Rita, said. "So if you can work to have all 15 senators buy into your bill, you will be successful. So work as a team, and there's no better advice than that."

Reporter Haidee Eugenio covers Guam's Catholic church issues, government, business and more. Follow her on Twitter @haidee_eugenio. Follow Pacific Daily News on Facebook/GuamPDN and Instagram @guampdn.

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