Tag: 33rd Legislature of the Virgin Islands

Governor Bryan Signs Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Bills Friday

CHRISTIANSTED — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. on Friday signed the bills comprising the Fiscal Year 2021 Executive Budget, which includes $632,390,556 for the General Fund.  In his transmittal letter to Senate President Novelle Francis Jr., Governor Bryan said he used his line-item veto to correct a duplication of the appropriation for WTJX. The governor also noted […]

Bill To Make Territorial Streets More Navigable Passes Out of Senate Transportation Committee

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — AARP in The Virgin Islands has led the efforts for the passage of Complete Streets Legislation. On Friday, October 2, 2020, during the 33rd Legislatures’ Committee on Housing Transportation, Infrastructure & Telecommunications Hearing, Bill No. 33-0041and Amendment 33-681, which establishes the “Complete Streets Policy” in the construction and repairs designs of roadways […]

Legislative Bill to Amend Commission on Aging Act Approved In Senate: AARP

CHRISTIANSTED — AARP in The Virgin Islands said it has been “advocating for revision and re-establishment of the Commission on Aging.” AARP in The Virgin Islands provided testimony in support of Bill No. 33-0367, an act amending the Virgin Islands Code to change the composition of the Commission on Aging, during a 33rd Legislature of the Virgin Islands committee on […]

Bill To Give WAPA An ‘Oversight Management Committee’ In Senate Today

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Bill No. 33-0346, written to establish an oversight management committee for the Water and Power Authority (WAPA), will be heard in the Committee on Rules and the Judiciary today. This legislation is the brainchild of Senators Sarauw, Frett-Gregory and Vialet who have been working on this legislation since September of 2019. Staggering […]

Let’s Talk Sports And COVID-19 Forum Considered A Success By Senator Sarauw

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — The Office of Senator Janelle Sarauw held a forum to bring awareness to the ongoing issues that are plaguing our student athletes due to the restrictions and limitations on resources as a direct result of the impact of COVID-19, the coronavirus pandemic, on the territory. The forum was “about giving our young […]

Securitization Bill Passes Muster In The Senate, But Bond Experts Warn It’s A Far Cry From Rescuing GERS

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — The Legislature of the Virgin Islands voted to approve the debt consolidation package of $1.1 billion in matching fund bonds over some objections from the Senate on Friday. On a vote of eight to five, the Senate voted to support the so-called “securitization” bill that Governor Albert Bryan, Jr. sent down to […]

Governor Bryan Lauds VIPD’s Anti-Crime Initiative For Taking 3 Guns Off The Street

CHRISTIANSTED — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. commended the Virgin Islands Police Department for removing three guns from the street on St. Croix during Phase 2 of the department’s Virgin Islands Crime Initiative, which Police Commissioner Trevor Velinor put into place during the last quarter of 2019. Last week, the VIPD made three separate arrests, including one […]

Senator’s Son Charged With Weapon, Drug Possession After Traffic Stop: VIPD

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — The son of a St. Thomas senator was arrested Friday after police said he was found in possession of an assault rifle and drugs. Kahlid Blyden, 26, of Caret Bay, was arrested at 8:06 p.m. Friday and charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of a controlled substance with intent […]

Governor Bryan Forced To Reschedule Special Session After Senator Tests Positive For COVID-19

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has rescheduled the Special Session he called for the Senate from Tuesday, August 18, to Tuesday, August 25, because of the current circumstances of COVID-19 affecting the Legislature. On Monday, St. Croix Senator Kenneth Gittens disclosed that he had tested positive for coronavirus and that the Legislature needed to investigate who […]

Bryan: Debt Consolidation Will Produce $255 Million Over Next 3 Years, Calls Legislature Into Special Session

CHRISTIANSTED — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. said today the territory can bank $255 million over the next three years if the government consolidates its debt right now. The governor has proposed legislation that will create a “significant” revenue stream for the U.S. Virgin Islands and reduce overall interest rates on the territory’s current debt. He is […]