Government House News

Finance Department Makes $8.1M Payment To WAPA Out of HOVENSA Settlement Funds
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — With the recent approval to appropriate $8.1 million to pay down the amount owed to the Virgin Islands Water & Power Authority (WAPA) by the Juan F. Luis Hospital and the Schneider Regional Medical Center, Commissioner of the Department of Finance, Valdamier Collens, said that the department

Gov. Mapp Says He Is Committed To Improving Educational Opportunities For St. Johnians
CRUZ BAY — Gov. Kenneth Mapp said Thursday that his Administration remains committed to establishing after school and other programs for St. John’s youth. The governor and staff toured the shuttered Guy Benjamin School in Coral Bay, where plans are now underway to develop it as a multi-purpose community

AG Walker In The Hot Seat Nationally For Subpoenas To 90 Companies Over Climate Change
CHRISTIANSTED — V.I. Attorney General Claude Walker is under fire in the national news from conservative groups who argue that he is “targeting” conservative and libertarian organizations for their political beliefs on climate change. Dozens of groups claim that Walker’s subpoena, first issued in March, unfairly seeks to penalize them

Gov. Mapp Says He Is Working To Improve Health Care Services For Local Vets
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Gov. Kenneth Mapp said that he is working together with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald to bring healthcare for local veterans to the territory’s two hospitals. The goal is to relocate our two vets clinics to Juan F. Luis Hospital and Roy L. Schneider

Cash-Poor V.I. Government ‘Elated’ To Be Handing Out Pay Increases For Its Employees
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Government employees can expect to see long-anticipated pay increases in this week’s payroll checks. Division of Personnel Director Milton Potter said on Tuesday that the first set of government employees would see the pay hikes soon. “I am elated to see these raises going into effect,” Director

Mapp: Take Money From Peter To Pay Paul On Outstanding WAPA Debt
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Gov. Kenneth Mapp has asked the 31st Legislature to approve paying down our hospitals’ debt to the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority with proceeds from a recent court settlement. Mapp wants $4 million increments to be paid towards the amounts owed by Juan F. Luis Hospital

Mapp Spams Congress On Puerto Rico Bankruptcy Crisis Issue
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Gov. Kenneth Mapp expressed strong concerns to congressional leaders about proposed changes in the language in the Puerto Rico debt restructuring bill released last week by the House Natural Resources Committee. The legislation, if enacted, is likely to adversely affect the ability of the Virgin Islands to access

V.I. Senators Override Mapp’s Veto To Allow Casino License For Caravelle Hotel
CHRISTIANSTED — VIGL Operations, LLC has been trying to obtain a Level 4 casino license for its Caravelle Hotel, which is to be opened in St Croix, US Virgin Islands. There are quite a few stipulations for obtaining a Level 4 casino license in the Christiansted and Frederiskted Enterprise Zones,

Jewell Commends Gov. Mapp For His Efforts To Combat Climate Change
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell recently met with the Steering Committee of the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) Climate Change Council to underscore the Obama Administration’s support to help communities prepare, plan and build capacity as they assess vulnerabilities and risks to climate change. During the meeting, Jewell also

Mapp’s Tranfer Day Message: V.I.’s Relationship With Feds Must ‘Evolve’ In The Next 100 Years
FREDERIKSTED — Virgin Islanders have much work to do as we begin our 99th year as a United States territory, Gov. Kenneth Mapp said Thursday. “Contemplating our history is important, however this must serve as a time to shape our future relationship with the Federal Government and to determine how