St. Thomas—In anticipation of inclement weather, due to Potential Tropical Cyclone #6 (PTC6), the Legislature will be closing at 11:00 a.m. today, August 10, 2021, territory wide. The Legislature will announce reopening as more information becomes available regarding the passage of this storm. We ask all Virgin Islanders to make appropriate preparations, remain vigilant and closely monitor this system as it moves across the Territory.
EDUCATION LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS CURRICULM COURSES OF STUDY STALLED IN COMMITTEE
St. Croix–The Committee on Education and Workforce Development, chaired by Senator Genevieve R. Whitaker, met Wednesday in the Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room, on St. Croix.
The first item on the day’s agenda was Bill No. 34-0091, which is an Act seeking to amend the Virgin Islands Code relating to the courses of study in public schools and to address gaps in the education curriculum and workforce development and by adding home economics, equine studies, information technology and creating a reporting mechanism for the development and implementation of the curriculum. Senator Whitaker sponsored the measures
Carol Callwood, President, St. Thomas/St. John Federation of Teachers said the Bill is a good concept as they attempt to increase the courses offered to the students on their educational path.
She added that some of the recommended courses in the Bill are already offered. Presently, some legislative mandates for education have not been implemented due to a lack of resources.
On Bill No.34-0092, An Act seeking to amend the Virgin Islands Code relating to courses of study in public schools and to establish a marine and environmental education course. According to Callwood on both Bill No.340091 and 34-0092, “we must also understand that increasing curriculum offering requires increasing staffing for these classes.”
Jennifer Valiulis, Executive Director, St. Croix Environmental Association, said Bill No. 34-0092 provides environmental education to develop confidence for students to investigate and solve local problems. She added that the workforce development aspect of environmental education is a strong need for diversification of the economy for long-term stability.
Dr. Stephanie Berry, Executive Director VI Board of Education, said on behalf of Kyza Callwood, Chairman, VI Board of Education, the Board supports the idea of an opportunity for students in kindergarten through 12th grades. She added that this allows them to explore environmental issues within their communities, discuss possible ways to address them, and engage in appropriate activities for their grade level that supports improving challenges.
Pamela New, the Eco-School Coordinator, said that environmental education remains largely a patchwork of independently implemented programs and activities despite many positive efforts. She added that these efforts could not provide the territory-wide momentum and feasibility needed to promote sustained ocean education for all students.
Both Bill No.34-0091 and Bill No.34-0092 were voted by the Committee to be tabled.
Bill No.34-0050, which Senator Steven Payne, Sr, sponsors, seeks to amend the Virgin Islands Code by adding a section codifying the requirements for high school students to perform community service as a prerequisite for graduation and appealing Act N0.6233
The Bill was removed from the Agenda by the sponsor due to the Commissioner of Education stating that she could not attend the hearing.
Bill No.34-0094 An Act amending the Virgin Islands Code to establish and mandate stakeholder engagement and participation in the development of a report for the annual assessment and evaluation of all public-schools’ facilities and adding a subsection to require stakeholders to hold town hall meetings on St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John.
Bill No.34-0053 An Act amending the Virgin Code to establish the Emergency Medical Services Program and adding a section to install the Emergency Medical Services High School Program Fund and making a $160,000 appropriation from the Centennial Special Fund to the Department of Education to fund the Emergency Medical Services basic EMS education program.
Senator Kenneth Gittens sponsored the measure. The Bill was voted out of the Committee and sent to the Committee of Rules and Judiciary for further consideration.
Bill No.34-0093-An Act amending the Virgin Islands code relating to the courses of study in public schools to establish a Spanish language course. Senator Genevieve Whitaker sponsored the measure.
Committee members opted to table the Bill, pending further scrutiny.
Senators at Wednesday’s meeting were Chairwoman Genevieve R. Whitaker, Kurt A. Vialet, Carla J. Joseph, Kenneth L. Gittens, and Donna A. Frett-Gregory.
DOF AND CCC DEFEND BUDGET REQUESTS
St. Croix-The Committee on Finance, Chaired by Senator Kurt A. Vialet, received testimony on the FY 2022 Executive Budget from the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Casino Control Commission (CCC) in the Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room, St. Croix.
Bosede Bruce, Commissioner Nominee, Department of Finance, said the FY 2022 budget recommendation shows General Fund-$20,968,213; Government Insurance Fund-$1,054,896; and Indirect Cost Fund-$108,500. She added that Non-appropriated Funds include: Data processing-$80,793 with a Grand Total of $22,212,402.
According to Bruce, the Fiscal Year 2022 total budget is $3,669,286 to fund 42 positions on St. Thomas and 11 on St. Croix, and ten (10) vacancies. She added that Personnel and fringe costs are allocated against several funds:
(1) General Fund-$3,136,001 and Fringe-$1,496,982
(2) Government Insurance Fund-$483,330 and Fringe-$233,566
(3) Data Processing Revolving Fund-$49,955 and Fringe-$30,837
The supplies total $208,500 includes office, operating, and repair, and maintenance supplies.
Fund breakdown:
(1) General Fund-$191,500
(2) Government insurance funds $17,000
Other Services and Charges total $15,343,230-expenditures include Professional Services, security guard services, training initiatives, travel communication, repair, and maintenance services. Miscellaneous projects managed by the department for central services are included in the following amounts:
(1) General Fund-$530,500
(2) Miscellaneous Funds-$14,463,230
(3) Government Insurance Fund-$241,000
(4) Indirect Cost Fund-$108,500
According to the Commissioner, Utilities in prior years were lumped under the single payor fund. She added that the current budget philosophy is to spread the cost across agency budgets, and there is $380,000.
She pointed out that anticipated expenditures for Capital Outlays are $850,000. They continue their paperless services by upgrading their aging technological resources and building infrastructure in both districts. Their intention, she added, is to create Emergency Operation Centers in both locations, and they need matching funds for FEMA projects.
After several rounds of questions, pertaining to the overall finances, the committee then moved on with its day’s agenda and heard from the Casino Control Commission as they presented their FY 2022 proposed Budget.
Marvin Pickering, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Casino Control Commission (CCC), said the General Fund for the CCC Personnel is $833,700, representing 13 employees, including one (1) vacancy.
According to Pickering, CCC Revolving Fund is a particular checking account that serves as a depository of monies collected from all licenses, registrations, permits and other fees, fines, and penalties.
He added that from October 1, 2020, through May 31, 2021, the Commission collected $221,950, of which $177,560 was allocated to the Commission, and $44,390 was assigned to the Department of Justice, Division of Gaming Enforcement Operating Account for operating expenses.
Regarding the Casino Revenue Fund, in Fiscal Year 2020, the ten percent disbursed to the Commission from the Department of Finance was $156,376.92, compared to $195,908.51 for the Fiscal year 2019, a decrease of 20-percent. The first two quarters of FY 2021 yielded $109,641.18 compared to $101,469.26 for the same period of FY 2020, a slight increase of eight percent.
Pickering also noted that the Commission does not have a full complement of commissioners since former Commissioner Stacy Bourne resigned from the Commission.
At Thursday’s budget hearing were Senators: Chairman Kurt A. Vialet, Donna A. Frett-Gregory, Dwayne M. DeGraff, Marvin A. Blyden, Javan E. James, Carla J. Joseph, and Samuel Carrión.
Senate President Donna Frett-Gregory Thanks Colleagues for Successful Session
St. Thomas, USVI – Senate President Donna A. Frett-Gregory thanks her colleagues today for a successful
session and for their continued cooperation to ensuring the safety of members and staff of the institution.
Frett-Gregory explained that the start of session was delayed as the institution was awaiting COVID-19
test results from the V.I. Department of Health, which was not received when session was called to order.
The Legislature, however, had covid-19 rapid test kits, and members and staff were able to have the rapid
test administered to allow for entrance into the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Chambers.
During today’s session a number of legislations were considered and adopted. Of note, Bill No. 34-0004,
known as the fuel tax bill, which ensures that taxes due and owing to the Government of the Virgin Islands
are paid immediately upon entry was successfully adopted and will be forwarded to the Governor for
further consideration and action. “It is necessary that every single penny that belongs to the people of the
Virgin Islands is collected,” stated Frett-Gregory. “I would like to thank my colleagues for recognizing
the magnitude of this legislation and for their immediate support, and I anticipate seeing an increase in the
fuel tax collected annually.”
Frett-Gregory also thanked her colleagues for supporting Bill No. 34-0077 to repay the 8% salary
reduction that was taken from the employees of the Government of the Virgin Islands, while the nation
and the territory were in recession. “The courts have spoken on this matter; it is the right thing to do and
now is the right time” said Frett-Gregory. “Amendments were also offered to repay the employees of the
semi-autonomous agencies.”
Bill No. 34-0060, the First Time Homebuyers Program Act, is a measure that I also was active in the
drafting of, will allow middle income Virgin Islanders to be able to purchase a home in our territory. “We
have numerous programs for low-income families and veterans. However, programs for working men
and women to be able to purchase a home are not readily available,” said Frett-Gregory. “This measure
is timely as we continue to encourage professionals to return home.”
Senate President Donna Frett-Gregory also noted that two overrides were successfully passed during
today’s session. These overrides address long-standing issues with the Water and Power Authority and
will bring redress to the people of the territory. Bill No. 34-0021 includes the amendment offered by
Frett-Gregory that mandates the Water and Power Authority hire a turnaround management company.
Senators also adopted Bill No. 34-0058 which creates the Virgin Islands Catalyst Fund to provide loans
to eligible entities to promote economic resiliency, and to support the retention and creation of jobs.
Senator Frett-Gregory noted that this measure which promotes economic growth and stability, is aligned
with additional measures working their way through the committee process, notably Bill No. 34-0078,
which transfers the former Cancryn property to the Virgin Islands Port Authority to expand its
transshipment and maritime activities. “We need to continue to work collectively to promote economic
growth territorywide,” concluded Frett-Gregory.
Temporary Suspension of In-Person Testimony and Closure of St. Croix Building on August 2, 2021
St. Thomas, Virgin Islands – On July 21, 2021, the Virgin Islands Department of Health confirmed
the presence of the Delta variant in the territory and reported a 15% increase in positive cases.
Additionally, the Department of Health reported that hospitalizations due to COVID-19 is now at
the highest since the onset of the global pandemic.
Senate President Donna Frett-Gregory announced today that the Legislature has updated its
COVID-19 protocols. Effective Monday, August 2, 2021, all in-person testimony is suspended
until further notice. “Due to the serious health hazard and high transmissibility of Delta variant,
this suspension is warranted,” said Frett-Gregory. Additionally, visitors to all legislative buildings
and facilities must present their vaccination card or negative COVID test taken no more than 72-
hours in advance of their visit.
There have been several positive cases in the St. Croix Legislature Building, hence out of an
abundance of caution, the St. Croix Legislature Building will be closed on Monday, August 2,
2021, to permit for the testing of all employees and the sanitizing of the building. The St. Thomas
and St. John Legislative Buildings will be open as usual for business on Monday, August 2, 2021.
“To ensure the safety of Senators and staff, the Legislature is currently working on additional
protocols which are scheduled to be completed by week’s end,” stated Frett-Gregory. “I continue
to encourage all unvaccinated persons to consider getting vaccinated and to adhere to the safety
protocols issued by the Virgin Islands Department of Health.”