32nd Legislature of the Virgin Islands

GUEST EDITORIAL BY GARY POKORNY: Has The UVI Free Tuition Act Been Properly Vetted?
Free tuition for Virgin Islands students, how can you argue against Act 8155? Dr. Hall seemed to outline a compelling case for providing free college tuition to any Virgin Islander who can maintain a 2.5 GPA. I say there are a number of questions that need to be answered before

Guest Editorial By UVI’s David Hall: A Compelling Case for Free Tuition
On January 4, 2019 Governor Kenneth E. Mapp signed into law Act 8155, entitled the Virgin Islands Higher Education Scholarship program. This bill was introduced by Senator Tregenza Roach, who now serves as Lieutenant Governor, and was unanimously supported by the 32nd Legislature. This Act is part of a national

Mapp Acts on Nineteen Measures … Governor Vetoes Telemedicine Bill, EDC Extension Bill
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Governor Kenneth Mapp has vetoed a bill that would allow tax breaks to be extended for ten additional years without the approval of the Economic Development Commission nor the chief executive. Bill No. 32-0175 purports to grant the commission more autonomy, but instead loosens the requirements for

Today Is The Last Day of The Atlantic Hurricane Season … It’s Finally Over And We Have Hopes Of Recovery Going Into 2018
CHRISTIANSTED — Today is the last day of the highly active, deadly and destructive 2017 Atlantic hurricane season, but Virgin Islanders will feel its impact for years. Politicians are still scrambling to determine how much of the next territorial budget will be dedicated to covering losses that may or may

Federal Court Judge Rules Against Kevin Rodriguez’s Bid To Regain Seat He Won In Legislature, But Was Disqualified From
MEMPHIS MAFIA: According to a bankruptcy case Kevin Rodriguez was involved in, he stated in court documents that he was a resident of Tennessee. According to the Revised Organic Act, candidates for the Legislature must live in the territory for three years prior to being elected. CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Kevin

BIR Director ‘Pleased’ To Announce ‘Sin Tax’ Penalizing Local Businesses
CHRISTIANSTED — The director of the Bureau of Internal Revenue said today that the “sin tax” will begin to take effect on May 1. Marvin Pickering said businesses will be forced to pay more because of Act No. 7987 dealing with imports and excise taxes in the territory: 1. Foreign

‘Ceremonial’ Gov. Mapp Gladhands 14 Members of the 32nd Legislature Installed In St. Thomas; Rodriguez Absent
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — ‘Ceremonial’ Gov. Kenneth Mapp and Lt. Gov. Osbert Potter were present at Emancipation Garden today for the swearing in of the 32nd Legislature of the Virgin Islands. A crowd gathered at the David Monsanto Bandstand for the morning ceremony which began just after 10 am with the