THE members of the 31st Guam Legislature have been offered a perfect opportunity to polish their somewhat tarnished image, and show the public that they really are concerned about the government of Guam’s deficit.

In a release Wednesday, the Governor’s Office notes it has been one year since Gov. Eddie Calvo, Lt. Gov. Ray Tenorio and their senior staff cut their pay by 10 percent. One year, during which the senators have done nothing to reduce their own pay. The obvious implication is that the legislative branch should take the hint, reducing their pay by at least the same amount.

Since almost all of the senators are up for re-election in about three month’s time, the Governor’s Office is handing the lawmakers a campaign opportunity on a silver platter. The only puzzle is why some members of the Legislature have not stepped up already to make this salary deduction across the board. The Fab Five should lead the way.

The administration pointed out that since the salaries of the governor and lieutenant governor – just as with the senators – are set by law, they did not have the authority to actually reduce their pay. The senators can change the law, but nobody else can. So Calvo and Tenorio instructed the Department of Administration to deduct the 10 percent from their paychecks and “direct the deduction to the tax refunds account.”

DOA makes the deduction just as with any other payroll deduction. The money goes to pay tax refunds, which, they say, “in essence reduces the accumulated deficit.” Ironically, since their pay is set by law and they determined they did not have the authority to actually cut their pay, Calvo and Tenorio pay taxes on the higher amount, then the cut is deducted.

The total amount of money involved for the elected officials isn’t large, but the symbolism is huge. A small cut in each senator’s pay would have the same impact, fixing in peoples’ minds that their elected leaders are concerned about the deficit and are willing to dip into their own pockets to try to help. That’s the sort of thing that can go a long way toward giving people a good feeling about their senators as they enter the voting booth on Nov. 6.

Senators should thank the front office for this belt-tightening initiative, and impose it on themselves as well. And do it quickly. The campaign is well underway, and the incumbents who hope to serve another term need to do something the voters will remember, something that will give folks a good feeling about their senators. Call Benita Manglona. She’ll help set up the accounts.