Tag: 33rd Legislature of the Virgin Islands

Bryan Calls Legislature Into Special Session On Debt Refinancing Plan For GERS

CHRISTIANSTED — Governor Albert Bryan on Monday said he is calling the 33rd Legislature back into Special Session on December 29 to re-address his proposal to refinance the government’s debt. Bryan’s plan is to get a better interest rate and generate funds from the savings that can be used to shore up the Government Employees’ Retirement System […]

Senators Nix Governor’s Securitization Bill; Bryan Says Puerto Rico Is Floating A Similar Bond Scheme

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Members of the 33rd Legislature convened in Special Session at the governor’s request on Tuesday and voted down Bill No. 33-0446- that would have created a “Matching Fund Securitization Corporation.”  “Once again, we are vetting the bill regarding the Matching Fund Securitization Corporation. There were three meetings previously held on August 25th, August […]

Governor Bryan Requests Extension Of The State of Emergency By Legislature

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Governor Albert Bryan has asked the 33rd Legislature to take up his request during their Special Session on Tuesday, December 8, to extend the State of Emergency until February 6, 2021.  The current State of Emergency expires on December 8.  “Given that the USVI is a major travel destination, it is not immune to […]

Governor Bryan Calls 33rd Legislature into Special Session To Act On 2nd Securitization Proposal

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Governor Albert Bryan, Jr. has called the 33rd Legislature into a Special Session to take action on his proposal to reauthorize the Matching Fund Securitization, as well as to address two other legislative matters.   Bryan set the date for the session as December 3.   The governor’s proposal seeks to increase […]

Bryan Meets with Senators, GERS Officials To Create Solutions To Unfunded Retirement System

CHRISTIANSTED — Governor Albert Bryan is trying to find ways to avoid a possible 42 percent cut to its government pensions effective January 1. In addition to refinancing its matching funds bonds, and taxing legalized marijuana, Bryan is now suggesting a sales tax on retail items imported to the territory. The Government Employees Retirement System […]

SENATOR DONNA FRETT-GREGORY OP-ED: On Establishing A School Authority In The USVI

It’s no secret that our public-school student test scores have shown little to no improvement over the past few years. To make matters worse, the children of the U.S. Virgin Islands have experienced additional academic setbacks after surviving both Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, and most recently, the current COVID-19 pandemic that has further […]

Senator James Sits Down With Police To Discuss Crime Prevention, PAL Headquarters In Whim

FREDERIKSTED — A newly re-elected St. Croix sophomore Senator sat down with the Virgin Islands Police Department to talk about ways to prevent crime and fundraising efforts for a police auxiliary group’s office. St. Croix Senator Javan E. James met Monday with Sergeant Samuel Gittens and Officer Roland Richardson “to discuss several crime prevention initiatives […]

No Need To Watch The Election Results On Tuesday Night, We’ve Got Your Election Winners Right Here

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — You don’t have to stay up all night waiting for the results of Tuesday’s elections. We’ve got them all for you right here, unofficially of course, according to a new University of the Virgin Islands poll. In the USVI senatorial elections, seven candidates will be elected in the St. Thomas/St. John District […]

Bryan Extends State of Emergency, Authorizes La Grange Land Purchase

CHRISTIANSTED — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has signed two pieces of legislation, one extending the current State of Emergency and the other authorizing the Government of the Virgin Islands (GVI) to purchase property on St. Croix.  The 33rd Legislature passed Bill No. 33-0424 on October 6 authorizing an extension until December 8 to the State of Emergency […]

Agriculture Department Says Farmers Could Qualify For COVID-19 Stimulus Check

FREDERIKSTED — As a result of the economic crisis associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture (VIDA) in conjunction with St. Croix Senator Allison DeGazon, has secured $100,000.00 to support local farmers. This economic impact payment is designed to support farmers as they continue to supply our local economy with fresh […]