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Good evening, and welcome to TV's live coverage of Governor Abbott and Junior's seventh state of the territory address.

I'm Marcelina Ventura Douglas, radio news reporter for the news feed on FM 93.1.

We're coming to you live from our synchro studio.

Whether you're watching online or at dot org, following along on Facebook or YouTube.

Thank you for joining us.

Within the hour, Governor Bryan will deliver his address to the 36th legislature of the Virgin Islands from the early Ottley Legislative Hall on Saint Thomas.

He's expected to share an update on the state of the territory, including key issues like the economy and tourism, inflationary pressures, ongoing energy challenges and the status of recovery and infrastructure projects.

Stay with us after this speech for reactions from members of the 36th legislature.

And we'd like to hear from you, our viewing audience.

Joining me in the studio tonight is a powerful panel ready to provide context and insight ahead of the governor's remarks.

We'll see.

Richards is a former senator from the Saint Croix District who served five terms in the legislature and as Senate president.

Donna Gregory is another former Senate president and three term senator from the Saint Thomas Saint John district.

And Jenny Consignment is the editor of the Virgin Islands Consortium, a leading news outlet covering politics, business and community issues in the territory.

And Hugo Hodge junior is an entrepreneur and former CEO of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority.

He is also the governor's representative on the panel.

Welcome, everyone.

It's great to have you here tonight.

And just to let you know, I will be addressing you informally throughout the evening so that we can keep things a little bit more relaxed and conversational.

Okay.

So I want to talk about, you know, what you would like to hear during tonight's state of the territory address, Alex, for you to briefly tell me what your top issue is and what you're hoping the governor will address.

So, Donna, please tell me, what is your what's what are you hoping to hear this evening?

Well, my top issue is, the status of the well over $20 billion in federal funds that the territory has received for disaster recovery.

So I'm hoping to hear where things are and where we're going.

Okay, Jessica, what are you hoping to hear this evening?

Well, more economic data.

I really think that Virgin Islanders need a clear eyed assessment of the state of the territory's finances, economy and how, you know, revenue and expenditures are being balanced.

And any structural issues that may occur that may be occurring.

Okay, Hugo, what are you hoping to hear from the governor this evening?

I'm interested in infrastructure, in particular what we're doing with the school construction where we are in that process.

But infrastructure is key for me tonight.

Okay.

And you say, what are you hoping to hear?

Well, it appears that we in the majority, at least three of the panelists are concerned about the infrastructure.

And I'll take it a little further down the road in regards to health care, education, our schools, our roads, I think is important since we have these moneys that have been, allotted, approve or disbursed to the government of the Virgin Islands.

What is the real status of spending the money and getting the projects done?

And speaking of infrastructure.

Sewage spilling into the streets is one of the issues that I reported on frequently this past year on the News feed, as overflow has happened across the territory.

In the last state of the territory address, the governor spoke about an upgrade that was meant to help address the problem in downtown, Christian said on Saint Croix.

Let's take a look at what he said and what's happened since then.

Christian said has undergone extensive modernization of its underground utilities in the last few years.

Most recently, the Waste Management Authority completed a considerable upgrade of its wastewater system that upgrades solve many issues we have experienced over the years, with clogged sewer lines and overflowing manholes, running sewer into the streets.

Whenever there's heavy rain, we will have flooding in that general area.

Gene cross Street, general odor that is really unacceptable to eat in, for sure.

But even walking by and is just kind of, unpleasant, at no point in time is the streets running with sewage anyways.

Best interests.

So they've failed us in a very dramatic way.

This is active sewer water.

If you look down closely, you can actually see toilet paper in here coming up out of the water and going straight down into Christian Stead Harbor.

So we have numerous times requested somebody to do something about it.

But it seems to me that no one is really paying attention.

Now, Hugo, I want to say to you, the governor apparently spoke maybe a bit prematurely last year when he spoke about the problem to fix downtown, Christian said, you know, as you just saw, we also saw sewage spills that continued across the territory.

We see a Windward passage on Saint Thomas and Cruise Bay on Saint John as well, too.

Is the Brian Roach administration doing enough to tackle this crisis?

And do you think he's going to address it this evening in his address?

But I imagine it will be addressed in the address tonight.

How you determine enough is West Quay.

It's never going to be enough if there's sewage still in the streets or still being present.

But we have a we have an infrastructure issue, particularly with the things we don't see, those things that are underground that may be designed for 30 years life expectancy, that have been in ground for 80 and 90 years.

It's just a, a daunting task that has to be addressed.

But there's no easy solution to it.

Now, delegate Plaskett recently announced more than $2 billion in federal grants to restore wastewater facilities on Saint Thomas and Saint John.

And of course, this is not an overnight solution.

In the meantime, Donna, what do you think need the governor and waste management needs to focus on in order to address this?

To your point, it's definitely not an easy solution.

And, it requires funding and, waste management in particular, continues to be challenged with resources and funding.

I really believe that we have to get to a point in the Virgin Islands where we begin to really look at how do we engage our citizenry to begin to cover some of these expenses, because we cannot continue on the path that we are on, with the expectation that government will be able to fund these, type of challenges that we have.

Absolutely.

And, you know, speaking on the path that we're on, we'll see.

The waste management has also struggled with trash collection on Saint Croix.

Now, it's been without permanent leadership for five months now, has this experiment of making waste management a semi-autonomous agency.

You know, has it ultimately failed.

And, you know, do you think it's time for the governor to consider putting it back under the Department of Public Works?

But I was unfortunate enough to be in the legislature when they created the Waste Management Authority.

And I was one that, did not vote to support it.

I think that the requirement that was, spoken of know we got some done.

This, statement is that it needed to be properly structured where we could actually finance the services that, government does need to provide to our citizenry.

I would, say to myself that it requires a reevaluation of why we had initially created a waste management authority, and to make a determination of how best to move forward and ensure that the necessary services, being rendered and now let's turn to the Paul Joseph Stadium, a long delayed construction project that pre-dates Governor Brian's administration.

In his initial state of the territory address in 2019, the governor promised to get the project moving and finish during his tenure.

On Sunday, Saint Croix Senator Franklin Johnson expressed deep disappointment over the lack of progress, noting a standstill at the work site during one of his weekly accountability visits.

Despite years of anticipation, the project remains unfinished and the governor didn't mention it at all in last year's state of the territory address.

Here's a look back on what the governor has said about the stadium over the years.

In the last transition, the construction of the Poly Joseph was delayed along with several other projects.

This cannot and will not continue.

Without question.

Our administration remains remain committed to the renovation of the Paul E Joseph Stadium in Frederick Stead.

And we anticipate that it that the long awaited completion will happen within the next 12 months.

We continue our efforts to reconstruct Poly Joseph Stadium, the Poly Joseph Stadium in Frederick State.

Is also nearing completion as the dirt and debris are cleared from the front of this monolith, we can finally see the promise of a Poly Joseph stadium we have been here hearing about for 12 years.

All the money is there.

We're just waiting for the contractor to get their stuff together and complete the work.

And that's been the hole up there.

Not on our part.

There's, in all transparency, there is, delayed costs.

Delayed, contract costs that they're assessing on us for about $2 million.

So we try to figure out the easiest and best way to finish this project.

We just want to get it done.

Now, Jenica in November, during the government House, during a government House press briefing, the governor blamed the administration for delays that led to $2 million in contract penalties for the Poly Joseph Stadium project.

But halfway through his second term, do you think that Governor Brian still has the right to blame a previous administration, or should he just take responsibility and just own it?

You know, I think that I don't know how long the honeymoon period can last for new administrations, but I think that it's definitely over by now.

We've had yes, there there are penalties on yes.

The Map administration did suspend the project.

However, we have now had several years where the project is back on track.

We've had a new appropriation last year, I think it was about 5.1 million, and it was looking at the latest deadline was the end of 2024.

So we're now into a new year, January 2025.

We seem to have, a project management issue where things cannot come to completion.

And let's not take this in isolation.

What about the Clinton Phipps racetrack that has taken many years?

The racetrack on Saint Croix Row, Randall Dock James is still unfinished.

There are so many projects that just drag on.

And what I think that the citizenry is not getting is a proper understanding and assessment of exactly what is going on.

We're hiring contractor delays.

We're hiring, you know, you know, slow progress.

Why why is the progress so slow?

And why do projects drag on for so many years?

Do you think cruise fans have lost faith in the Paul Joseph Stadium project, and do you think it's ultimately still worth the investment?

Let me let me begin from the the latter part of your question.

It is worth the investment because it is a community oriented, facility.

For me it's much more troubling.

As a matter of fact, the the first, appropriation by the legislature was introduced by me during the, the young administration.

This goes back to 2017, 2018.

We're not renovating.

We are constructing a new facility over a long period of time with these changes.

I do not agree with the subject matter that the administration is being blamed for the lane.

When the administration left, they had a soiree with the community, they had updates, and then when the new administration came into Bryan Road, they decided not to follow that outline plan.

And then they were changes to the plan.

Therefore, changes to the cost of the project I am with, is Simon's, position.

There's no real oversight over the contractor that has this job for more than a decade and can understand, at least in my mind, why we can be able to complete a project after ten years.

And still, during that ten year period, additional cost is being brought in by the government.

Then I you played a part in this and as far as appropriations go, as well, given the history of delays, is it realistic for this project to be completed under the Brian Roach administration?

For to ultimately become a part of the governor's legacy?

Well, I am one that think that is important to think positive and, based on the fact that the government of the Virgin Islands and through the legislature, we've invested well, about $32 million.

And, at this point, I really believe that the administration really needs to look at the project management of this particular project, look at the work that the contractor is willing to make some tough decisions.

I believe it's time to make tough decisions as relates to this particular project.

We cannot continue to have the conversation about the contract to have the lease.

We have these challenges.

Look at the project, look at the contract, look at the project management, make a tough decision and move on.

Absent of that, I don't see it happening.

Before we continue here, I do want to get your input on this while you of stadium Project.

Well, the project definitely is long overdue.

I don't agree with the concept or the mindset that our projects seem to be having an issue.

I disagree with the Clinton Phipps track because that is ahead of schedule by about eight months, significantly ahead of schedule and and is nearing completion.

Of course, down the track on Saint Croix is a whole different scenario that I believe is being addressed shortly, but I wouldn't say it as an overall issue of of projects, but there's definitely one with Farley Joseph.

Now, let's shift now to a strong commitment the governor made in his 2022 state of the territory address, reaffirmed in 2023, but notably skipped in 2024 after the promise apparently fell through.

Let's take a look.

We are committing to paying down at least 15%, or $26 million, at least in retroactive wages in this current fiscal year.

I am going further than that because I don't want you to believe it's an election ploy.

I am also proposing that we commit to plan, that we plan to pay the remaining balance of what is owed at annual installments of at least $25 million every single year, until the full obligation is repaid.

The government's current obligation for repayment of those retroactive wages, which go back 40 years, is still 135 million now.

I made a promise last year that this administration will pay at least 25 million every year, and we have budgeted another 25 million for this year to be paid out before October 1st, of the $25 million that was appropriated for retroactive payments in fiscal year 20 2023, per act 87.70.

OMB processed the release for the full $25 million.

However, only $2.5 million has been paid to date.

Now down, you know, I'm going to go to you.

Chair of the finance Committee.

The fiscal year 2025 budget included nothing for the governor's $25 million a year commitment for retroactive payments, and only a fraction of what was promised was paid in fiscal year 2023 and 2024.

As we've as was noted, should the governor use this speech tonight to address a new realistic plan to gain back the public trust as it pertains to the retroactive payments?

Absolutely.

We did make that commitment we passed in the, FY 2023 budget, the, $25 million, with a commitment from the executive branch that we will we utilize that they will utilize the Arpa funding to backfill any challenges that we have had with the budget.

That obviously did not occur as we move to 2024.

We saw the same thing.

And of course, we could not, budget likewise in 2025.

So I'm looking forward to hearing what the governor has to say as it relates to how he's going to pay the metro.

But what I will add to this is it's critically important that the capital projects and the disaster related projects, in fact, in a territory get online, those are the projects that will allow for us to see grocery, see taxes and to see, income taxes.

And hence the reason, well, we'll be able to pay, the, the read through.

So, you know, it's, it's a push and pull on this.

We have to get, disaster related projects online in order to see the funding to cover these expenses that we're talking about.

Now.

We'll see.

The legislature appropriated funds for the governor's $25 million a year commitment to the retro payments, but the money was spent elsewhere.

As former OMB director Jennifer O'Neill noted.

What tools do you think the legislature has to ensure these funds are used and distributed, as promised?

Well, I was at a loss by the statements of the former OMB, director that says that the money was, in fact, excuse me, released.

And when you release funding, the impression has left that OMB has a lot of the funding to the Department of Finance and Finance will then begin to make the disbursements.

And so it is, troubling for me as a former legislature, and if I was in this current body to really get a handle and how the authority, as described by law in the executive and, and legislative branches is, is being executed because in this particular instance, I see this as, a violation of the law that has been, put together.

And the act was in fact, mentioned by the legislature.

The governor signed that law, into, into effect and then violated a dismissed a law when they released the supposedly $25 million.

And this is a long standing, issue.

I was fortunate when this, first retroactive, wages were being paid.

This goes back, the the first set of money was taken for an insurance guarantee fund and a piece of legislation, introduced by Senator Dole, and we joined him on our colleagues to start paying back this wretched.

So we're talking about, just not money owed to unionize employees.

And yesterday, monies owed to unionized employee from.

Yes.

The years.

And this is, I've been out of legislature more than a decade.

And so this is a longstanding problem that needs to be addressed.

And we do know that the governor, the state of the territory, has begun.

We will the coverage of it begins.

We will go to the state of the territory when the governor does enter the chambers.

But before that, Jenica as you reported in the Virgin Islands Consortium, retirees protested on October 1st after learning that no funds were allocated for those retro payments in fiscal year 2025 budget.

What steps do you think the governor needs to outline essentially tonight to restore retirees trust?

You know, regarding these retroactive wage payments?

As you know, you see, has stated they've been waiting from yesterday year for.

Well, I think that, restoring trust cannot happen based on rhetoric alone.

We have heard promises and they have not been fulfilled.

So whatever the governor says tonight has to be backed up by action.

The money needs to start going out to the people that are waiting to receive their funds.

And that's just it.

Now let's shift now to public safety.

A pressing concern for many residents after the territory recorded 44 homicides last year, the governor is expected to address crime in tonight's speech, and last year he credited crime cameras and other technology with helping to solve cases and announced plans to expand those efforts.

Here's what the governor said in his last state of the territory address, followed by how things have unfolded since then.

The use of technology and camera system has played an integral role in over 30 cases in the Virgin Islands, leading to arrest and closing vehicle accident investigations.

Contracts are in place to add additional cameras to our schools.

Are roadways our recreational parks to protect our people?

We have been having excellent results in terms of our crime.

Today is June 17th.

We have two homicides in Saint Croix.

The police commissioner credits a lot of the arrests that we have been made and the progress we've been making in crime, to monitor those.

And that company, when you're dealing with the person who is in charge of the security of the territory, and they're telling you this is a reason why we have been able to make arrests, find people, and to stop crime, you have to go with what works.

Long as there was a procurement process that was followed and that the contract is in place, fairly and squarely, I don't think we have any grounds to stop the contract.

The government cancel a contract with someone who, openly admitted and has pled guilty to defrauding the government of the Virgin Islands.

I would I think that it would have been, imprudent for the government of the virgin ice to continue to proceed doing business with, that entity prior to that, the governor had no knowledge of what what that investigation entailed or what that person had done.

All right, now, Donna, as we know, you know, three of the former members of the governor's cabinet, former Virgin Islands Police Commissioner Ray Martinez, former OMB director Jennifer O'Neill, former sports Parks and Recreation Commissioner Calvert White have now since been indicted on fraud investigation related to David Whittaker's company.

Former VPD contractor money.

Those revolving involving, you know, the fraud and bribery charges as well two and monitors those responsible for those that crime camera program with these indictments in the spotlight, how should the governor address it tonight in the state of the territory address?

Well, the camera system is important to the territory.

It's important to us solving crimes.

So I really think that, the Department of, of the police Department should begin the process of putting that out to bid so we can continue our work here in the territory.

I suspect that that matter to us before, the territory with, these, white collar crimes is something that's going to go on for a long time.

I don't know that we have the opportunity or the luxury to sit and wait until those issues are resolved.

We need to move on with the work that's important to the people.

And solving crime is one of a very, very important matter here in the US Virgin Islands.

Now, this question came up recently on comes with the territory.

And I would like to get the panel's opinion tonight as well.

Hugo, I'm going to start with you.

Should we establish a Government Accountability Office, you know, to address some of these issues, or would it be more effective, in your opinion, to strengthen the Inspector General's office to ensure that audits ultimately lead to meaningful change?

I don't know that strengthening of the audits is the way forward.

I think that, well, first of all, I, I welcome the due process us to take place, with these individuals and see how it shakes out when it's all said and done.

But I think we have to to take a step back and, and look at what is taking place in the territory.

We, we like to look at events and, and cast, an opinion about what's transpiring and make it about a group of people.

But I think it's a, it's, it's our problem with, with with humans in general.

Many times we have issues that that human beings get caught up with, and we put it on whatever group they're associated with at that time, as if that's where it stems from.

But I think we have to dig deep and put some policies in place.

Ethics in place, maybe, some mandatory training in that regards.

Just things that, that, that strengthen what is to transpire what how we are our fiduciary responsibility of public funds is is taken, as we move forward.

But it's is the highest responsibility given to someone, which is the to be the steward of public funds.

And it should be taken, as serious as anything else we see.

I want to get your input on this.

Do you think that, you know, we need to strengthen the inspector general's office?

Or do you think that there should be some sort of an accountability office?

Let me start with the latter part.

In regards to, accountability, I think, too often we forget that the, three branches of government and the legislative branch in particular, is on the fact that the overseer of the execution of not only funding of laws and of services to the people of the Virgin Islands.

I think that there has been a very limited, enforcement of that, called the authority vested in members of the legislature in overseeing the activities of the executive branch of government.

I understand the inspector General's office is, something that happens after the fact, after money have been spent, after programs have been implemented and in whatever form or fashion, and so that the ongoing oversight responsibility should be fully executed by members of the legislative branch of government.

I'm not in support of them creating, another entity, an agency referred to as an office of of accountability, when the entity that would create that by law has not been accountable for the responsibilities and duties to the people of the Virgin Islands, Jamaica.

We've heard from the fellow panelists, I want to get your input on this as well.

Well, you know, I always thinking that I should, you know, defer to the former legislators on the panel.

But I, I think that I agree with Lucy in that the legislature, in my opinion, has been a little bit laid back about some of the funny things, let's say, that that are going on, for example, the taking of the of the 25 million for the retroactive pay, that was appropriated for that purpose and spent on a different purpose.

For example, we had the line of credit that was executed by, the, the or money that was, that was, that was shifted around before the legislature had actually gone ahead and appropriated funds.

I think that these are major violations of, the, the responsibilities and major oversteps of the authority of the executive.

However, what we got from the legislature was, you know, some stern language.

And then nothing.

So what if you have that vacuum, and you don't have any enforcement, then the executive branch believes that they can do that.

And they did.

So, like Lucy said, maybe the legislature needs to examine, you know, their options when it comes to that.

And I do agree with him that creating another office, you know, another layer of bureaucracy, ground, polarizing responsibilities into a new office may not necessarily be what the territory needs.

Strengthening the IG's office.

I do not know whether that is something that the IG's office needs.

Do they need more staff?

Do they need more funding?

All of these things need to be, considered.

But I do think that the legislature can, you know, be a little more forceful in their oversight, responsibilities.

So, Donna, I want to ask you, just recently leaving the legislature, being former chair of the finance committee as well, too, do you think there should be steps, what steps need to be taking to kind of improve oversight, you know, on these government contracts?

Well, the legislature, enacted legislation and it's now law where there's a transparency website.

And I believe all of us will agree that we cannot legislate morality.

Right.

So it's also the responsibility of the individuals working in their respective departments and agencies.

When they see something, they should say something.

Most times individuals know what's going on, but they are free to see.

As far as the oversight responsibility is concerned when it comes to the legislature, I really believe that it's important that we really take a deep look at the office of the Inspector General and really provide the necessary funding for the positions, the challenges that we've had over the years as we funded those positions.

But the challenge is to really get the positions filled.

One of the challenges that we have here in the territory, of course, is getting individuals to fill these jobs with the capacity to do the work.

So we have to make a meaningful effort not only on the the legislative side, but we have to begin to grow, and invest in our young people to take some of these jobs so we could get this type of work done.

So there's a lot to contemplate around how do we address oversight?

I know that we've started the work, but we have to really explore more as to how we can really which bottom line is we cannot by and legislate morality, and we have to make people understand.

I think also what's critical is, as the governor does, his or her work, I think with the cabinet members, you need to continue to remind them what you stand for as the governor of the Virgin Islands and what you're not going to accept and continue to monitor.

I believe that when individuals are being monitored, then they, you know, they take a step back.

And I'm a firm believer that what gets monitored gets done.

Now, you see, one of the things that you mentioned that you want to hear this evening is on the health and hospitals.

You want to hear what's going on with health care.

Speak to me a bit more on what's the shift you would like to hear the governor address.

Well, you know, for focusing, particularly in the, in the District of Saint Croix.

And I know there's some progress being made in the district of Saint Thomas.

Saint John with the Kim center.

You also have the, center over on Saint John that also needs to be addressed.

But I think the community is somewhat, discouraged by the existing progress of what's happened over the long F Louis Hospital.

We know we are currently, awaiting a renewed, construction of a of a headquarters in regards to the services under the umbrella of the Department of Health, we've, opened up a modular unit over at one Effluvium hospital grounds that was supposedly to begin construction of the new hospital.

Demolition and construction.

All that has not come into play.

And I think the individual is, somewhat questioning the longevity of the temporary facility referred to as a modular.

And I think that is very, very important because the the health of the people of the Virgin Islands, the people in Saint Croix, by definition, is a complete state of physical, mental and social well-being.

And if we don't have the appropriate facilities to maintain a healthy community, then all of the other problems will fall and fall in line behind of that.

Don, I want to ask.

I know you're shaking your head.

Let me.

Do you have some input on what Lucy just stated?

No, I absolutely agree with him.

I believe that, we have to make our hospitals a priority.

And, you know, all of our projects need to be a priority, but we have to look at really, our hospitals and our schools and make it make them a priority.

I believe, in particular, the situation that has occurred at what Louis has been going on since I've.

I've been a senator.

It took forever for the modulars to be built.

That created a lot of there was a lot of energy around that.

And now we are at the stage of the hospital not being demolished and being able to move on.

We have to set our priorities.

Again, I said it earlier, what gets monitored gets done.

And if we're not setting our priorities, our community needs to not only talk about things, but we need to begin to get to the action level.

And that that that's the piece where there's this feeling where, you know, community or the citizenry likes to complain, but they don't go out and try to make a difference.

And I believe what's important is we have to do we have to rise up at this point and really show that we are interested in what's happening, and we want to see it happen and most definitely figure out what's really happening with these contractors in, that's responsible for these hospitals or the funding, what actually is happening.

So I'm hoping that we will hear that tonight from the governor.

What is the true challenge around particularly while we hospital moving forward?

You know, one of the things that you mentioned you want to hear about, we were speaking a lot about infrastructure recovery.

You spoke about education.

Speak to me a bit more on what you're hoping to hear, because I know in the Saint Thomas, Saint John district, when we're we're looking at the Charlotte O'Malley High School as well, too.

We had those challenges where we had mold in some of those modular classrooms that some of the students have been in.

So we're seeing some of those issues on challenges that pertains to the infrastructure that schools the students are currently in.

What are you hoping to hear a little bit more on some more information?

I think that what we have is a information vacuum, that's taking place.

There's a lot of work that's taking place.

I'm doing work related.

So I know a lot of work that's being being done, executed that does not get into the public.

And if it's not getting to the public and they don't know about it, doesn't exist.

So I think we have to get more information to the public.

We have to have avenues of of getting.

And granted, I've been in a seat where you get to work and you're so focused on what you're doing, you don't take time to talk about what you're doing.

But we have to.

It is our obligation to tell the public what's taking place.

So I'm looking forward to in, address getting some of that information to the public, because there's a lot of thought that there's nothing going on with the schools where I know that there's a lot going on.

So hopefully we can get that information.

But you I want to go back to your time as a former CEO of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority.

Now, we still have some energy challenges here in the territory.

But if you could give a grade as to what you're seeing happening with Wapa now, from then, what grade would you give it?

Well, now I'm impressed with what's taking place right now.

I think the new director has started to move some other projects forward.

We're seeing things come online.

We just saw the first solar farm come online on on Saint Croix at 16 Megawatt Farm.

The 20 megawatt farm is in there to be online as well.

We're seeing a significant amount of movement right now.

And I imagine that will start.

So right now, lower grade.

Ohi I think in the past, it wouldn't get as high, but I probably the toughest grader on what.

But anyway.

Right.

But, there are some, some work that needs to take place and there's, projects that have to come to fruition.

But we talk about shortfalls.

And when we talk about funds not being used, what is allocated for.

But we also spent $100 million in subsidizing what part the major, the the rates didn't go up and that money then come from.

And then that's and by, by osmosis, you know, it came from other obligated funds elsewhere to not let the rates for the utility go up.

So there's there's a little tug of war for funds.

And we have to really acknowledge what it was used for.

And don't forget that that was $100 million of subsidized funds with nothing tied to with no prepayment for bills, no future bills included, just straight subsidy to make sure the rates didn't go up to the ratepayer.

Jenica you know, you mentioned what you all like to hear from the governor this evening.

What are the topics that you hoping that he'll drill down a bit more on?

I think that definitely, the energy crisis and Wapa in general is something that's really important, for the territory especially.

And I also think that I'm hoping that the governor will speak about the labor shortage, which it looks likely to become, more, acute with, the president's, policies.

So I know that, I think I think that it was the 2024 state of the territory.

It may have been the 2023 state of the territory where the governor, you know, spoke about the need for people to come in and work.

And now that we have, this situation right now with the federal, stance on that, how is the territory going to have the workers that it needs to do the recovery projects that Donna was speaking about to get the infrastructure, you know, built and to get those closer seat taxes on the revenue going.

So it's it's a real chicken and egg situation.

And I'm really interested in hearing how the governor addresses that.

You know, we talking about immigration.

You know, we're seeing what's happening across the country.

We'll see I want to get your input on that specifically, specifically on, you know, the operations on Angelica's point as well, too, as far as the labor force as it you know, we do see predominantly I know we know immigration is immigrants are more than just laborers.

You know, they are human beings as well, too.

But, you know, they do make up a large part of our workforce.

Let's speak to me a bit more about, you know, well, I would like to start from the initial point.

I don't I need to, mention which is the the absence of a real, skilled labor force within the territory to not as we have, for lack of a better term, being going backward and regressing in our development of our youths, whether through the educational system, the rural, the vocational education used to play within both districts, the role that the training center that is now owned by the government, the that whole venture has right off the highway there from Home Depot and and so that it is a factual statement that it there's no way in a defined amount of time that we can get all these projects done without having imported labor.

And, that is, is frightening given the current position of the president of the United States.

Donald Trump, in regards to his crackdown on individuals from various backgrounds, various countries, various environment, is that, how can we as a territory now be able to secure and it is needed.

I, I smiled enough to myself and I think, dynamite might also get this giggle out to when the agency that is responsible for all the five of, FEMA.

Excuse me, FEMA funding had created, a master contractor to manage all or a large number of the contracts that we have to spend, the funds.

How does that effectively get the job done without this master contractor also having to bring in a mass level of employees and workforce to achieve this goal.

Then let me get your input on this.

You know, what we're looking at right now and that labor force that was just going to be needed here in the territory I have to agree with.

We'll see.

It's called a super PMO.

That's what it's called.

I, I, I, I'm still trying to understand how the super PMO will be effective.

Because of that very issue.

You know, we we've talked about the visa program, and, that program has not come to fruition for us here in the Virgin Islands.

And I really thought that I think that is a missed opportunity for us in the territory.

I believe that because we knew of our challenges in the Virgin Islands with our workforce, we we really needed to push on that, on that level, on a national level, to ensure that we were able to get that visa program moving so we could get the workforce here.

So that is going to be that is our Achilles heel as it relates to us moving our, projects along.

So there must be a plan.

So I'm hoping to hear from the governor this evening as well.

What is that plan?

How do we make this happen?

Because it sounds a brief, slow, rather to say that, you know, we have billions of dollars in federal funds for disaster recovery.

But the question is, how are we going to excite while the the crowd is on their feet and the governor is beginning his entrance into the chambers of the IRB at the Legislative Hall, we're going to go to that United States Virgin Islands.

Abbott Brian Junior.

I'm on the for the.

All right.

Okay.

And we see the governor coming in, and he is doing his greetings to all of the members of the 36th legislature.

He is being accompanied by Senator Kenneth Gittens as well.

Donna, give me your input on what happens during this moment.

No.

Oh, well, the the governor greets all of the senators and, the senators give him their blessings, and then he starts the show.

The show starts.

And that's what we're looking forward to seeing this evening.

What's typically the mood like?

You know, you've done this a number of times.

What the mood in the chambers is good, vibes is good is usually good vibes.

But I will tell you this, as I said, as a senator, you see me agree with me.

I try my best not to have any emotions over what the governor is saying.

I really take my time to look at and hear exactly what he's saying, and so I don't.

I'm one that I didn't didn't do the applause and all that stuff unless he made specific reference to myself, if you will.

And we see a lot of the commissioners and the governor's, cabinet there.

But notably missing is licensing and consumer affairs Commissioner Natalie Hodge.

She is tonight's designated survivor in legislative chambers.

Governor Brian, we welcome you to present the state of our territory.

Thank you.

Senate President Milton Potter, before we start, I just want to take one moment to acknowledge the great architect of the universe and my creator for the many blessings of Virgin Islands, has had over the years.

Some people think that blessings are always in a form of avoiding trouble.

But in the Virgin Islands, we know that our blessing is also to be equipped with the resources, the persistence, and the faith in God to see us through.

Father Anthony Abraham, Lieutenant Governor Trigg, NZ Roach, Esquire, Senate President Milton E Potter, and members of the 36th legislature, Chief Justice Reece as Hodge and the justices of the Virgin Islands Supreme Court Presiding Judge Deborah Watlington, and the judges of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett, Chief Judge Robert Malloy, and judges of the District Court of the Virgin Islands.

Members of my cabinet and other agency heads.

Members of my staff.

State chair of the Democratic Party Carolyn Burke, other invited guests, and my fellow Virgin Islanders.

Good night.

Tonight, with the election season behind us, I want to express my profound gratitude to every voter who participated in our democratic process.

Your voice is the heartbeat of our democracy, and your engagement speaks to an enduring commitment to shaping the future of these islands.

To Senate President Milton Potter, congratulations on your peers vote of confidence to lead this distinguished body to every member of the 36th legislature.

Congratulations on earning the trust of the people.

The next two years will pass swiftly, but they hold the potential for transformative progress if we act boldly and work collaboratively.

In noteworthy acknowledgment goes to our first time elected Democratic Senators Clifford Joseph, Lorenzo Frederick and Avery Lewis.

Your reflections reflect the people's trust in your leadership and dedication to public service.

May you approach this calling with passion, purpose, and his steadfast commitment to those you serve.

I would I would also like to recognize Senator Novelli Francis Jr, whose leadership as president of the 35th legislature was a testament to the power of unity and collaboration.

Senator Francis, you reminded us that progress comes not from focusing on divisions, but from aligning our efforts toward the common good.

Thank you sir.

To this new legislature, I urge you to follow that example.

Lead with integrity.

Collaborate with purpose, and champion the causes that uplift our people.

See, leadership is not merely about opposing.

It is about delivering results that transform lives.

Where this body and our administration, when this body and our administration succeed, the Virgin Islands succeed.

And when we fail, our people pay the price.

Let us commit tonight to winning for them.

I also extend my congratulations to President Trump and the newly elected leaders across our great nation.

I trust that we can move forward not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans and Virgin Islanders together united in our effort.

We can chart a course defined by opportunity, progress, and a shared purpose for our future.

As we look to that future, we must also honor the legacies of those who have shaped our past.

We celebrate the life and contributions of former Senator Milton Buffett, a dedicated public servant and a friend.

We also remember Brigadier General Leo Gerard Galley Beer, a pioneer of the Virgin Islands National Guard, whose leadership and patriotism were unmatched.

See, this past year was a bit of an anomaly as Mother Nature rained on us and prevented us from celebrating Veterans Day.

So tonight I would like to honor the Honorable Vern, a Hodge, retired first lieutenant from the United States Army, from Saint Thomas Wilfred Charles to a senior retired sergeant first class from the United States Army from Saint Croix, and Henry Augustus Powell, retired Supply Logistics Division chief from the United States Navy from Saint John.

Mr.

Powell and his lovely wife Carol are here with us tonight as my special guests.

We must recognize the patriotism and sacrifice of our service members, those who extended their commitment to the broad ideals of freedom and security.

The men and women of the National Guard exemplify what it means to serve with courage and selflessness.

As a volunteer to support the nation's military forces.

They stand is a testament to the proud, resilient, and deeply patriotic spirit of the Virgin Islands.

Additionally, I commend the 35th legislature for passing two landmark laws honoring the sacrifices of our first responders.

Act 8941 renames the Tango Company Fire Station in that state for two an hour to honor the extraordinary service and enduring legacy of my good friend, the late Darrel Mosley George, former director of the Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Services.

His life work reminds us the profound impact that leadership and devotion can have on the community.

At the 8939 memorializes the ultimate sacrifice of our law enforcement officers who gave their lives in the line of duty.

This act is more than a tribute.

It is a powerful call to honor and support those who risked everything to keep us safe.

As we reflect on our shared journey, we are reminded that leadership is not just about navigating the present, but also about laying the foundation for a better future.

These moments of acknowledgment, elections, elections won, lives honored, and sacrifices remembered are not merely ceremonial.

They are milestones that anchor us to the values that we hold dear and the vision that propels this forward.

These are indeed exciting and demanding times, and I often find myself returning to the foundation we built together seven years ago.

It was a platform grounded in a simple yet profound mission to provide the best quality of life we can for the residents and guests of these Virgin Islands.

On its surface, this goal may appear straightforward, but it is layered with the complexities and challenges inherent in governance in the community as vibrant and diverse as ours.

The simple truth is that we have made progress tremendous strides in the face of new and daunting challenges.

But despite these hurdles, we have managed to address the pressing issues that the people demanded we confront.

At the time, we were grappling with the aftermath of two Cat five, two Cat five hurricanes record high unemployment faced a public pension system failing a deteriorating infrastructure and staggering unpaid obligations to vendors and our people.

From the start, our priorities were clear stabilize the government's finances, fulfill its overdue commitments, and begin the ongoing work of restoring trust.

Trust among our people, our federal partners and our investors.

Our second priority was to leverage that trust to attract federal and private investment dollars.

And our third priority was to reinvest all of that.

All of that funds all of those funds in our people.

It's a simple formula for success.

But the journey, the journey has been anything but simple.

Along the way, we faced unprecedented obstacles the global pandemic, rising inflation, climate change and supply chains disruptions all tested our resolve at every turn.

Yet through it all, we together have remained steadfast in our commitment to you.

Has the road been easy?

No.

Have our plans always unfolded as intended?

Absolutely not.

Yet.

Time and again we have come together, found solutions and forged the path forward, guided by our shared vision for a stronger, more equitable virgin Islands.

I always say you have to serve the wave that comes, not the one you want.

Today we stand at a pivotal juncture, not merely enduring adversity, but rising above it.

This moment is defined by progress, hard fought and hard won, progress that reflects our collective resolve to tackle the toughest issues and create meaningful change.

We stabilize the government.

Virgin Islands failing pension system paid hundreds of millions in overdue obligations and address the millions of the rest of the Virgin Islands water, Water and Power Authority, demonstrating our commitment to fiscal responsibility and restoring trust in the government.

These achievements, they're more than just milestones.

They are proof of what is possible when we approach adversity with determination, focus and an unrelenting belief in the potential of the people of this Virgin Islands.

But let us be clear progress is neither swift nor without its trials.

It tests our patience, it challenges our resolve, and it often demands that we leave behind the familiar to embrace the promise of something greater.

Change, by its very nature, brings discomfort.

It asks us to adapt, to grow and reach beyond what we thought possible.

Through this progress, however, we have seen that as one challenge is resolved, another emerges to take its place.

The robust economy we see today, bolstered by recovery funds, pandemic related social subsidies, and an unprecedented, unprecedented waves of development project, has introduced new pressures the inflation in rent, housing and food.

The cost is undeniable not just here in the Virgin Islands, but across the nation.

These pressures are real and they demand thoughtful, forward looking solutions are for our work is far from complete.

But tonight, let us reflect on how far we have come, the challenges we face, and the progress we have made are a testament to the strength of our people, the power of collaboration, and the transformative impact of leadership committed to action.

Together, we are building a Virgin Islands that not only meets the needs of today, but continues to strengthen the foundation for a brighter and more prosperous tomorrow.

The.

Tonight I stand before you with pride and resolve to declare that the state of our territory is progressing.

Progressing in the throes of great change.

While many of the fruits are still on the horizon, this transformation and our progress is undeniable and its impact is being felt by all.

And just as in your family and my family, we must adapt to the arrival of all this change reshaping priorities, adjusting finances, and embracing new responsibilities.

Our government and territorial are undergoing their own profound evolution.

Our journey forward rests on three unshakable pillars our people, our economy, and the infrastructure that sustains them.

These pillars represent the heart of our progress and the foundation of our future.

Tonight, I will guide you along this path, celebrating the strides we have made, confronting the challenges we face, and illuminating the opportunities that lie before us as we reflect on our progress.

One area stands out as a shining example of growth and opportunity.

Our economy, driven by the strength of our tourism industry, is on fire.

In fiscal year 2024, we welcome a 2.6 million visitors, a remarkable 10% increase from the previous year, setting records in December that that are historic in terms of arrivals in one month.

This achievement is no accident.

It is a result of deliberate efforts to improve our infrastructure, foster partnerships and elevate the Virgin Islands as a premier destination.

We have not only recovered from the previous challenges, but have surpassed pre-pandemic visitor levels by 22% and increased arrivals by an astounding 44% compared to 2019.

The economic impact of this growth is extraordinary.

The shared economy contributed 369 million traditional accommodations, added another 462 million, and cruise tourism generated $258,000,073 million more than last year, with an average visitor spend of $166 per day.

We are the second highest in the Caribbean.

The Virgin Islands has cemented this place as a top tier destination.

Tourism in the Virgin Islands is about the stories we create, the memories we etch into the hearts of visitors, and the immense pride we feel and shake it.

Sharing the rich culture and breathtaking beauty of our home with the world.

These accolades bolster our reputation and reaffirm that we are as Virgin Islands already know, our islands are treasures that continue to captivate and inspire our residents and our visitors.

But we are not content to stand on our laurels.

Last summer, we hosted our inaugural Tourism Summit.

This event provided a platform to examine our strengths, identify areas for growth and chart a path forward that embraces innovation and emerging trends.

Trends since then, flattery being imitation, being the best form of flattery.

Our neighbors in the British Virgin Islands have introduced their own tourism summit, inspired by the impact of this leadership.

This reflects on the Virgin Islands as a beacon of progress and inspiration in the region.

Our partnership with Royal Caribbean Caribbean is reshaping the future of cruise tourism in our territory.

A few years ago, Saint Croix welcome fewer than 60,000 cruise passengers annually, underscoring the untapped potential of the beautiful island.

Today's projections for fiscal 2025 show an astonishing increase to 275,000 passengers, demonstrating a power of strategic vision.

And decisive action to ensure continued momentum, we are making transformative investments in our infrastructure.

The first phase of the Daily Gregory Transportation Center opened in April 2024, and the second phase, which will open and will open in 2025.

Sky city VII airports Eye £0.03 Partnership company is now preparing for the renovations at Cirelli King on Saint Thomas on the Henry Rowson on Saint Croix.

These projects feature expanded terminals, advanced baggage systems and jet bridges, enhancing the travel experience for visitors and residents alike.

Our seaports are also seeing major upgrades upgrades, dredging in Charlotte Malia will accommodate the larger cruise ships in the industry's future that is already out to bid, and it will be done.

This year.

On Saint Croix, the Annie Abramson Marine facility and Tender dock improvements are expanding our visitor experience.

These investments ensure our ports remain gateways to growth and opportunity.

We are vitalize revitalizing our downtowns, making them more vibrant and welcoming for residents and visitors.

The Veterans Drive Improvement Project and Downtown Revitalization Grants will bring new life to our towns.

Partnerships with organizations like the Historic Area Revitalization Project, Go Harp are transforming and re giving new birth to International Park Plaza and Royal Mile, the turning them into hubs for businesses, culture and leisure, creating spaces that reflect the beauty and potential of our downtown spaces.

At the same time, investments are enhancing our tourism offering.

The reopening of the Frenchman's Reef and the Boathouse Resort has reestablished our territory as a destination for conferences, and we see many this year.

This was made possible through an $84 million bond offering by the PFA.

To finance this improvement, the soon to open Hampton Inn at West Indian Company Limited will add 120 much needed hotel rooms.

The first new hotel construction in the territory in 45 years.

The eco resort at botany Bay in Saint Thomas, is set to open later this year.

Promises to elevate our hospitality sector even further.

These developments result from astute policies like the Hotel Development Act, which laid this groundwork for success.

But these initiatives are more than about just boosting tourism.

They are about creating jobs and building vibrant communities and ensuring that economy works for everyone.

The Virgin Islands is thriving not just as a destination, but as a place of opportunity and promise.

While our record breaking tourism numbers showcase incredible achievements, our progress runs much deeper than visitor arrivals.

Today, the Virgin Islands is setting a new benchmark for success, particularly in Our Lady Bear market.

Unemployment has reached historic lows, remaining below 4% for unprecedented 14 consecutive months and dropping to a record breaking 2.9%, the lowest in the history of the Virgin Islands.

This is not just an achievement for this administration.

It's a testament to the power of bold, sound economic policies and what can be accomplished when we form strategic partnerships with the private sector.

Yet we recognize that progress brings its challenges.

Our job postings continue to outpace the applicants, highlighting the critical need to align opportunity with workforce and preparation.

Workforce development has been and will continue to be one of the administration's core priorities, because we know that empowering Virgin Islanders to build a brighter future starts with education, training and skill building.

In September 2025, we will open the Virgin Islands Technical College, a game changer.

This new institution is designed to fill the gap in high demand fields and address the workforce shortages in construction and project management, and provide residents with access to higher paying careers.

This academy will give our high school students the opportunity to graduate, to graduate with a two year college degree and other certification while they are in high school.

At the same time.

At the same time, we remain we remain deeply committed to the University of the Virgin Islands with our free tuition program that is already provided 4.7 million in scholarships to over 2000 students.

This initiative, thanks to this legislature, is now extended to part time students as well and is breaking down financial barriers and unlocking opportunities for all.

These investments in education will reshape lives and create generational change by eliminating the weight of student debt, breaking cycles of financial instability, and building a community where prosperity is now within the reach of every Virgin Islander.

This is the heart of our workforce development strategy.

Its strategy focused on transforming individual lives and strengthening the economic fabric of our territory.

Strategy a strategy focused on managing today's economy while also planting the seeds for tomorrow.

Speaking of seeds, as we continue to improve the lives of our hard working families across the territory, I am proud to share that progress is being made in implementing the Virgin Islands Cannabis Use Act.

In 2024, the Cannabis Advisory Board approved rules and regulations to guide the Cannabis industry, and we now have a staffed office with the enforcement unit set to be active next month, February.

This dedicated team and the board are working tirelessly to ensure the cannabis market is both safe and thriving.

Earlier this year, we took significant steps towards reparative justice for individuals convicted of simple possession of marijuana.

In September, the Governor's Order Expungement Task Force, in partnership with the Department of Justice, submitted the first round of expungement applications, and we've already seen some.

Granted, if you believe you qualify for expungement of your criminal record due to marijuana, we encourage you to submit your petition to the Superior Court.

Additionally, we have made it easier for medical practitioners, patients, and Sacramento users to register online with the Office of Cannabis Regulation.

As a result, residents who use cannabis for medical purposes are now legally registered and growing their own cannabis at home for their use.

This quarter, we will open applications for cannabis cultivation licenses, followed by business licenses for dispensaries, manufacturers and other sectors within this growing industry will follow suit.

We are building a regulated market that ensures it's safe and accessible cannabis industry.

But as we celebrate the flourishing vitality of tourism and its economy and the not invaluable support from federally funded projects, we must also recognize the urgent need to diversify our economic landscape.

That is why I was pleased to work with Senator Novo Francis Junior on the South Shore Trade Zone legislation.

In a groundbreaking initiative, the EDA commissioned the comprehensive Shipyard Feasibility Study, aimed at seizing a substantial share of the Caribbean's boating repair industry.

Establishing a local shipyard will empower the US Virgin Islands to compete effectively in a market that has long been dominated by the British Virgin Islands and by Puerto Rico.

This will open the doors for new growth and innovation.

The latest step in our plan for the South Shore trade zone was to ensure that the tenants were not affected by the challenges to reliable power.

Although the trade zone legislation allows tenants to produce and sell power within the zone, allowing the water and power authority to compete unregulated within the zone would jump start power production, it would guarantee US competitive electric electrical rates for commercial, and it would lower the collective energy price for all because Wapa has more clients.

All right, ministration is deeply committed to laying the groundwork for a transformative era in energy production.

We have forged strong alliances with the owners of Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation, federal agencies and key stakeholders, all with a shared vision of evolving this vital facility into something far more than just a refinery.

My support is not just for the safe restart of the refinery, but for it to become a model for global energy, embracing advanced technologies, environmental stewardship and cutting edge practices that will redefine how energies operate in the 21st century.

The projected impact of Fort Hamilton is extraordinary.

Once operational, the facility will potentially generate over $400 million annually, with 45 million direct to this government.

Equally important, it will create 400 well-paying jobs, further boosting the economy of Saint Croix and supporting countless families and local businesses.

Alongside other projects and development in the trade zone, this project will anchor the Virgin Islands as a hub for innovation, prosperity and opportunity.

As governor, I have never shied away from confronting the challenges that have plagued our community for decades.

As I said earlier, time and again, just as we take strides forward on one pressing issue, another emerges to test our resolve down Wapa of Waste Management.

Today, we face a crisis with the Waste Management Authority that demands both urgency and unity.

Our communities grappling with aging and failing wastewater infrastructure, and mounting literally mounting issues of solid garbage waste.

I acknowledge and commend the Waste Management Management Authority for the progress they had made in securing coastal zone permits and approvals, as they plan convenient centers for Cotton Valley, Concordia, Mont Bijou and Saint Croix and Red Oak, summit Bay and Bourne Field in Saint Thomas.

But we must do more.

The waste management has been successful in securing $3 billion dollars from FEMA, which will replace the entire sewer system in the Virgin Islands, along with address our issues at the dump, along with the federal funding that we have now for immediate wastewater pump station replacements.

We have a path forward.

Nevertheless, the lead time for one of these pumps stretches from 12 weeks to six months.

So we have to do something about the deterioration of the storm water that is draining into our sewage system and breaking down our equipment time and time again.

It has wreaked havoc in our community, resulting in an untenable situation.

The sewer water in our towns and street is a stark reminder of what is at stake.

This is not just an infrastructure problem, but a public health, environmental and economic crisis.

The good news is, is that the funding is exists, and while the lead time on the parts are long, we are going to get it fixed.

Adding to this little crisis, latest crisis is a fundamental and systemic issue.

Waste management has never been adequately funded nor empowered to charge the fees necessary to sustain its operations.

Consider this private haulers charge commercial and private entities for their services.

Yet we expect the Waste Management Authority to maintain operations, pay its vendors and serve the community without the same ability.

How can we reasonably expect them to succeed without the necessary resources we owe it to our people to act decisively and with courage.

The time as the rhetoric has passed, we must now deliver solutions.

Trash must be collected, wastewater must flow safely, and vendors must be paid.

So, senators, let us work together with the public Services Commission to bring a permanent resolution to this issue.

This steady growth we are experiencing is supported by construction in government, residential and the private sector.

The infrastructure forms the foundation upon which we are building the future of the Virgin Islands.

When I administration took office, we inherited a failing infrastructure.

The passage of time, coupled with the impact of 30 years of natural disaster, has led to significant deterioration.

The devastation of our homes, businesses and public infrastructure.

Our recreational spaces is causing displacement of a population, the closure of businesses and interruptions of our government functions and most importantly, increased anxiety among our residents.

And while federal funding has provided some relief, the simultaneous failure of systems across all three islands creates ongoing emergencies.

This past year has been both exciting and productive, but trust me, the inconveniences we are experiencing are also proof of our progress.

So when you see our orange cones block roads and barricade barricades, it's a sign that improvements are under way.

We are focused on building a prosperous, sustainable future for the Virgin Islands, not merely restoring the past.

This unprecedented progress, though difficult, is essential for a stronger, more resilient Virgin Islands.

These are the throes of change and improvement.

When our administration took office in 2019, the territory anticipated receiving $8 billion.

You all remember that in the campaign, $8 billion.

During last year's address, we announced that we were expecting more than $15 billion.

We are proud.

We are proud to share that we have once again surpassed the mark.

I want to say this slowly.

All Federal Emergency Management Administration public assistance projects have been obligated.

Or and as of January 2025, $22.5 billion have been pledged to restore our Virgin Islands.

Our efforts to maintain the recovery gained a much appreciated boost last year.

I think this was one of the most tremendous thing to happen last year, the Biden-Harris administration, after they said it couldn't be done, granted a reduction in the local match from 10% to as low as 2% for our projects.

So our projects.

Projects that will rebuild schools and hospital and facilities.

Without this vehicle, our recovery would not be possible.

It would require the territory to find 2 billion in cash to spend the 20 million available in FEMA funds.

Ladies and gentlemen, this was no easy feat and it was made possible by our team and our administration, our lobbyists in Washington, a team in D.C.

urging two U.S.

presidents and seven at several cabinet members for relief.

Last year, I announced that the Office of Disaster Recovery is focused on initiating the larger, more complex projects under the rebuild USVI initiative.

Never before has there been a time in our territories history where we have to manage multiple projects of this magnitude.

There's no playbook.

We had to meet the unique challenge and expand our capacity.

Tonight, we can announce that we kept our promise to establish the Super Project Management Office to streamline the execution of projects, we released four bundles of solicitation for projects worth 4 billion.

I successfully secured obligations for our fixed cost projects by the September 30th, 2024 deadline.

We already got before this started.

We already had a billion in projects on the go, but now the super PMO is executing contract for the first bundle of Saint Thomas school facilities, which include Ivan M Boesky Elementary, Emmanuel Benjamin Oliver Elementary, Ivana Adora King High School, Janie Tuitt Elementary School, Lockard Elementary School, and Saint Thomas Administrative Center.

Evaluation for the Saint John Bundle, which is comprised of the first ever public pre-K through 12 school on the island, the Maurice F DeCastro clinic, as well as the Myra Keating Smith Community Health Center, is underway.

This is in addition to the ongoing design build contracts already in place for Charlotte and Molly.

High School author Richard and Bertha C Bus Shelter elementary schools.

By the end of 2025, this administration will have over ten schools under construction contracts.

For.

These.

These state of the art facilities will not only enhance academic environments, but will serve as a symbol of our commitment to the future.

Arthur Richards our first new school construction is over 50% complete.

We expect students to be in class August of 2026.

The bundle for Horizontal projects, which encompasses all the power lines, water lines and wastewater and grounding system, along with a road repair and damage improvements for the north side of Saint Croix is in the evaluation stage.

Health care projects on Saint Croix are moving forward.

The demolition of Charles Horton Memorial Complex has been completed, and the new Donna m Christian Christiansen Department of Health building in Richmond is scheduled to begin construction this year.

The Governor, Juan F Louis Hospital, is scheduled for demolition by the end of 2025, and Roy Lester Snider is out to bid this first quarter of 2025.

We have made remarkable progress, remarkable progress, and we made it also in modernizing our roadways and addressing challenges that have persisted for years.

Segments of Queen Mary Highway and North Side Road have been newly paved.

Work continues on a segment of Melvin Evans Highway between good open Williams Delight, where long awaited streetlights are finally being installed, improving safety and reliability for our drivers.

The Clifton Hill Connector project is nearing completion and will be ready by summer 2025.

To the residents of Hanna's Rest, your roads will be repaired once we finish the WaPo water lines and I project that we're working there in question, said town.

Nearly every major road has been paved, making it easier for residents and businesses to connect and thrive.

Looking ahead, we have issued finally issued a notice to proceed reconstructing the Ethel McIntosh Memorial Drive, Mahogany Road.

You guys could stop emailing me now.

Next month, we will break ground on this long overdue project alongside rehabilitation project for Stran King and Queen streets in Frederick, said in Saint Thomas Saint John the this.

The significant road improvements have brought relief and renewed convenience to many communities.

Key routes, such as those in botany Bay estate for tuna and Capri to Point, and the First Avenue drainage project, designed to alleviate flooding and protect homes and businesses, is progressing smoothly and set to be completed this year.

This project is running so smoothly you don't even hear any complaints in the paper.

We're now paving portions.

If you didn't came in here tonight, a veterans drive and rehabilitating the entire Fort Christian parking lot to include water and electrical infrastructure in time for carnival activities at Saint John.

Work continues on Central Line Fish Fry and the Johnny Horn Trail, which we have in the design phase, and bridges.

And I didn't even mention you said port and the West Airport Road bridge projects have been critical in Saint Croix as we address aging infrastructure that has gone decades without significant attention.

I am proud to report that the Altona Lagoon and Queen Mary Highway bridges on Saint Croix, now complete and open to the public.

The bridge at East Airport Road will open within the next 30 days, and construction on Midland at Midland Road and bridge repairs to road 6669 near the Rudy Shoulder.

Brant Agricultural Grounds in Saint Croix are well under way, with both being expected to be completed before June.

In November 2024, the 35th legislature approved a 156 million Gavi bond issuance proposed by this administration, a record we went from from thought to approval in less than 60 days.

I want to extend my sincere gratitude to the members of the 35th who supported this visionary initiative, which represents a generational investment in our transportation infrastructure.

This bond issuance will allow for $48 million investment to fund the completion of phase two of the Veterans Drive Project, 28 million dedicated to repaving major roadways in Saint Croix, including the Lavalle Road, I Hear You Down in the Valley, and 20 million for the design and fabrication and delivery of the long awaited The Saint Croix Saint Thomas Passenger Vehicle Ferry.

These projects.

These projects will create jobs.

This is an addition to the 22 million.

A billion I just talked about.

These are the projects.

These projects will create jobs, stimulate economic growth and strengthen connections across our districts.

But I transportation's improvements also extend to our blue economy, further enhancing connectivity and access.

The spirit of 1733, a new 300 passenger ferry is another one will soon connect Saint John and Saint Thomas, designed to meet the unique condition of our waters, the vessel is in its final stages of fabrication.

It was named based on input from our community.

The spirit of 733 is a welcome addition to our transportation system.

We had so many boats come this year we can't even keep up with the boat christenings.

We added another two patrol boats for DPI and and two more for the Virgin Islands Police Department and one fireboat for the one boat for the fire service, bolstering our marine enforcement's, efforts.

But our commitment to our community extends further as cemetery improvements are also underway.

Thanks to Lieutenant Governor's roach persistence, construction of a new wall.

The lieutenant governor mean he was going to get this done.

A new wall around Western Cemetery number three on Saint Thomas has begun.

Additionally, new columbarium and mausoleums at Eastern Cemetery provide much needed capacity and ensure dignity for our people in Saint Croix.

We have finally added a new veterans section in the Kings Hill Cemetery.

We have completed building the mausoleums and crypts for our veterans.

These efforts reflect that every resident's our belief that every resident's deserves respect in life as well as in death, underscoring our dedication to serving the needs of this community.

Finally, progress continues with our street addressing initiative.

It is now complete on Saint John.

An illuminated highway.

Signs are being stalled territory wide, enhancing safety and accessibility for residents and visitors alike.

But even those these are positive developments and really impressive numbers.

The people of the U.S.

Virgin Islands continue to face considerable challenges.

Like the rest of the nation's Virgin Islands, households have really felt the burden of unprecedented inflation.

I often listen to the news and listen to main line Americans complain about the prices of food and just laugh to my myself.

They have no idea what the people of the Virgin Islands go through.

We have seen inflation of up to 14% in a single year, and although it seems to be leveling off a little bit, it doesn't seem to be going down.

We remain hopeful that our national leaders can assist in lowering our collective cost of living.

But as an administration, we have faced this problem head on and continue to seek ways to ease the burden on households.

Most notable is our effort to keep the energy bills from increasing.

We have faced criticism and public browbeating on this issue.

We have spent over $100 million in federal and local funds to assure that we keep local power, reads the same.

The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority has been a point of frustration for as long as anyone can remember.

On April 22nd, 2024, I declared a state of energy emergency.

This declaration was not made lightly.

As governor, I knew I had to act swiftly to mitigate the potential of a staggering rate increase by the Water and Power Authority, should it become insolvent and have to go to our receiver.

Since the declaration, we have remained current and our central government obligations, as well as paying the debts owed to APA by both hospitals and the Waste Management Authority.

This past year, we successfully negotiated, negotiated and close the deal on the two propane facilities, eliminating a $140 million debt and adding a $180 million asset to the authority's balance sheet.

This.

This move ensured that we could continue using propane cheaper and cleaner than diesel oil.

I want to thank the team at the PFA, a Washington Council and team Squire, Patton, Boggs, Winston and Strong HUD, the Housing Finance Authority disaster Recovery and Vita for un invaluable contributions.

It was a five year work in progress.

A major step forward was the introduction of new leadership at Wapa.

Many doubted my decision to offer my chief of staff as a to lead the authority.

As often with the critics, they tend to view every hire through a political lens rather than a professional one.

This was not a job he initially thought it was an opportunity.

I strongly urge him to take at the expense of my administration.

I knew his expertise and leadership would benefit for its employees and the people of the Virgin Islands.

Earlier this month, we celebrated the long awaited unveiling of the wide solar generators for Saint Thomas and Saint John.

The project added 36MW of power to the grid, along with nine megawatts of battery power.

After an almost 15 year effort, we now have smaller, more efficient generators running online at the Randolph Holly Power plant.

In it has been a long and challenging and a graying road, but we are finally turning the car now and transforming Wapa into a renewable company.

This past December, we cut the ribbon on 16MW of pure solar power and battery backup in Saint Croix.

This solar power is already in use, powering homes and businesses as we speak.

I know it doc, but the battery demand.

In addition, we will be cut.

We will be cutting the ribbon in May for another 20MW in Huggins, Burke Frederick said bringing the total solar power generation in Saint Croix to 41MW, matching the daily peak usage required on the island.

They said it couldn't be done, but together we made it happen.

If that wasn't impressive enough, Wapa is purchasing this power between 8 and $0.11 per kilowatt hour compared to $0.21 the cost to generate with fossil fuels.

We're not going to talk about lowering the carbon footprint because that's huge as well.

We want to thank Cristian Lorenzo, who is in here tonight, and VA electrician for not only billing these solar fields, they not only build them, but then they turn them over to a nonprofit organization run by Virgin Islanders for a perfect, perfect, perfect.

Perpetuity.

Christian.

Got it right.

Got it right.

I also want to thank, the Public Service Commission, the PSC, my senior staff and our team at Wapa for making this all possible.

So while the prices of milk, chicken, red eggs, gas, interest rates have risen, your whopper rates have remained the same.

In fact, the cost per kilowatt hour is lower now than when we took office six years ago.

The investments we are making and the hard work we're doing are paying off.

But just as I have ensured no price increase under my administration, we will not rest until we can pass these accomplishments accomplishments in the form of reduced rates to the consumer.

That's the point.

Keep it and keep it cheap.

But we can't rush it.

Wapa still has to resolve the financial hole it dug for itself over the many decades.

Our neighbors right here in Puerto Rico, they welcome 2025 in darkness.

Wake up.

No power.

So we have to remain vigilant, in our goal to fix Wapa together to prevent the authority from relapsing into its previous state of disarray.

I see a future where Wapa is interconnected with the refinery with some power generation on the south shore of Saint Croix, and thanks to the recent FEMA obligation of 661 million for the replacement of the power plant in Saint Croix and an additional 206 for new efficient generation in Saint Thomas.

I am committed to improving the grid infrastructure to the point where it is on and cheap.

Our efforts.

Our efforts not only address current challenges, but also pave the way for affordable and renewable energy.

And while we seek to put Wapa on financial footing, our real goal is to create energy independence for as many households as we can.

Last year, we closed on the first 1% solar loans being administered by the Economic Development Authority and the Virgin Islands Energy Office.

These loan allow residents to install solar systems and finance them through their Wapa bill.

We have also made sizable investments in transforming the government fleet from fuel driven automobiles to hybrid and electric vehicles.

In order to make EV purchases more attractive.

We have also installed eight free charging stations, with 26 more scheduled by the summer of 2025.

Likewise, homeowners are now taking advantage of low cost energy loans to install batteries and solar systems to their homes.

I would like to remind people, as they're struggling, that there's still rent and mortgage assistance available through the Covid relief, but through the efforts of this administration, we have secured $150 million in grants that will be used to subsidize batteries for your home, solar systems for your businesses, erecting power charging stations for cars and replacing them all faulty appliances that I promise up.

Our government is leading the charge in this energy revolution.

We strive to create efficiency at every turn, every turn.

And while many complain about the cost of government, we have fewer employees now than we had 20 years ago.

With ten times the work.

Salaries and friends are the greatest increase in the budget.

Let me say it again salaries and fringe are the greatest increases in the budget, which have risen over 25% since we took office.

Not only this, and again, not only have we increased salaries, but we have actually paid them.

It's that novel.

We have honored every single contract that I have signed over the last six years, complete with retroactive pay if applicable, which includes the ones I inherited when I first took office.

Today, the starting salary for a teacher is over $50,000, and the average salary.

And the average salary for teachers is $61,000.

In the Virgin Islands, our nurses in our hospital are starting at $70,000.

We have absorbed the rising cost of health insurance over the last five years.

Rather than pass it on to the employees, this will be the first fiscal year since being elected that increased insurance costs will actually be shared.

However, the government has assumed the greatest part of that burden as well.

We continue to keep pace and pay out overdue tax refunds, and we are catching up.

In the last four months alone, we've paid $42 million in returns to filers bringing refunds paid to individuals who have filed up to April 25th, 2023.

Since taking our office.

Since taking office, our administration has paid over 396 million in income tax refunds.

This February, for the first time, Virgin Islanders will be able to file their income tax returns online.

Another major accomplishment.

For us, giving people back their money timely is a priority.

We have paid back the 8%, raise salaries, absorbed health care costs, paid 42 million in retro and committed 3 billion in public funds to ensuring the solvency of the Government Employees Retirement System.

We have sacrifice and paid over $40 million annually in general fund contributions to ensure that our retired retirees continue to collect a system.

Remember a system that would have been completely out of cash today.

We must recognize that this 3 billion and all this money that we pledged that money would have paved roads and repaired schools and fixed waste management issues, and provided more funds to deal with our health care system, we diverted the money to ensure that our seniors and our retirees and our future retirees would keep getting their checks monthly.

But people, please remember, 70% of our taxpayers don't work for the government and don't get the benefit of that $3 billion initially.

So yes, yes, I understand the Retropie is owed and I know it is needed and we want to pay it.

This is a 40 year old debt that we still owe over $120 million on, but we have to spread the wealth of wrong and ensure that all our residents benefit from our tax rule, not just government employees.

And yes, I'll take the back the blame.

I made the promise that we would pay at least 25 million a year in retro.

But between keeping the lights on and tackling inflation, we simply cannot afford to pay it using the general fund.

But senators, we can pay it from the proceeds from the lawsuits.

We settled.

Instead of building yet another gymnasium in our state, Nazareth, right next to the gymnasium in Ivana, director in high school, we could take that 20 million.

A pair of retirees today.

That is not the obligation.

That's 20 million in cash in the bank right now.

As I've said many times before, we have $22 billion of projects.

We don't need any more projects.

Let us use this money to address our inflation woes and our obligation to our retirees, and forgo this gymnasium.

It is not out, but it is a step in the right direction.

Let's show the people of the Virgin Islands that we can work together on this.

Send me the bill and I will pay the retro immediately.

As we focus on addressing immediate needs like inflation and supporting our retirees, we must also consider how we can further help our communities.

One here that requires our attention is ensuring families have access to nutrition and food they need.

People are struggling to put food on a table every day, and we are doing everything we can to address this by increasing food pantries and providing assistance whenever possible.

I would like to remind you of all the assistance we're given.

We continue to pour money into our community.

To support.

To further support our local families, the Virgin Islands Department of Human Services, they chose to raise the income limit for Snap with food stamps, as we call it.

So it went from 130% of the poverty limit to 175% of the poverty limit.

This increase.

This increase allowed more families to receive benefits, expanding access to those who need it most.

We went from receiving $85 million a year in food stamp in Covid to 55 million.

That's the impact on families that we are feeling now.

Parallel to what's parallel to what Human Services is doing with Snap, the efforts that licensing and consumer also share the share.

In this effort, the department is sharing the data to empower consumers to make the best choices.

The market basket and the fuel surveys are essential tools for price transparency and consumer protection.

Most of these survey tracked the cost of essential goods in the territory, empowering our residents to find the best deals and forcing forcing these suppliers to compete for customers with the best price.

Not the close of this fiscal year 2024, Human Services distributed more than $21 million in childcare stabilization grants and 7 million in quality improvement mini grants.

The stabilization grants provided crucial financial support to childcare providers, helping them cover operational costs like wages, utilities, rent and insurance, and the many grants allow provider providers to fund standby generator purchases and give professional development opportunities with health and safety enhancements and playground equipment.

Supporting these childcare providers is a vital investment because we are subsidizing their operations to lower their costs, allowing them to pass those savings on to families.

By investing in childcare industry, we are helping families thrive and easing financial pressure on households.

Last year we begun construction on six headstart facilities.

The crews Bay headstart is completed.

And by September 2025, all the remaining centers will be ready to welcome our kids into the territory.

I would also like to congratulate Lutheran Social Services for opening up their state of the art early headstart facility in the state, Concordia East.

The Department of Human Services is not only addressing poverty through Snap benefits and investment in child care and Headstart, but also by revitalizing its buildings and is improving its programs.

We are set to invest 200 million in long term care centers for Saint Croix and Saint Thomas.

That's the replacement of Herbert Grigg and Lucinda mill and, Queen Louise, 126 million.

126 million to restore a new Hansen.

And we've already put in about 2.5 and upgrading the Saint John Multi-Purpose center.

We're continuing to fight inflation, especially in the housing market, where it's becoming harder, hard just to find insurance, much less bio bill of house.

We've allocated $25 million in grants through the VA slice program and increase the grant cap for the envisioned program to $400,000 per home.

I'm happy to report that both programs are making progress in helping Virgin Islanders secure home.

From the inception of slice, 39 applicants have been approved, totaling $3.4 million in financing.

This past year.

The program issued 16 grants totaling over 1.4 million to 16 homeowners.

These are not loans.

These are grants.

The first time homebuyers as high as $90,000.

This is unmatched in the country.

There's no program that is similar to this and this.

This helps Virgin Islanders to buy, build, renovate homes.

Unlike many of the federal programs, it allows them to purchase, construct, and you can also have a rental unit in the home, creating a source of income for residents.

The Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority has worked tirelessly to help the residents achieve the dream of homeownership.

The program continues to be an excellent tool for first time home ownership in the Virgin Islands.

The envision program, the much disputed and feared envisioned program to rebuild severely damaged, storm damaged homes, has finally got legs thanks to Oda.

Last year we told you we were transferring you from Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority into the Office of Disaster Recovery and it has paid dividends.

The Envision Tomorrow teams is currently tracking 100 homes in the construction phase.

And we expect another 150 this year.

It's almost a 400% increase in activity since we transferred the programs.

Homeowners in the rental rehabilitation program will also see progress this year, as Oda anticipates getting the first batch of those homes into construction by August.

That's a program where we give you, up to 50 to $100,000 per apartment unit to create affordable housing.

Tonight, I want to recognize Miss Vernal Stevens, Miss Adelaide, Andrew and Miss Francis as three homeowners who exercise tremendous patience, and we have been able to assist them to get you back to your home.

Miss Stevens, I miss Andrew.

I have with us tonight.

Thank you.

Thank you for your patience.

It's not easy when water running in your house, every time it rains.

In another effort to bolster homeowner said the owner owned a lot.

Build a Home program is in full swing alongside Banco Popular and Rural Development.

This opportunity provides $250,000 in grant funding to allow first time home on us to build a dream.

Homes on the line.

You may be asking what the differences?

It's the income limits.

One is a federal program with income limits.

A one doesn't have.

Income limits are strict.

Perhaps the most significant development in homeownership in the last 20 years was accomplished last quarter in the Saint Thomas Saint John district.

We know home ownership is the biggest hurdle for all people, especially in Saint John.

Forget about it.

But my administration, along with the Jackson Development Company and the Housing Finance Authority, is providing homeownership opportunities to 315 families.

This consists of conversion of previous rental housing units from rental home to ownership residence for the for those residents in Bellevue Village.

Calabash boom on loving land.

I want to congratulate you on your first step to homeownership.

And for those for those who choose not to purchase or unable to buy the unit, the option to remain a renter will be there at the same rent in 2024.

We also completed the renovation at the Walter I Am Heights community, consisting of 248 units across 21 buildings with a senior center.

A great achievement if you see this place.

It is.

It is like something out of a movie.

Beautiful.

It's a great achievement, but there's so much more work to do.

Our downtown areas were once social and economic hubs teeming with families and commercial activity.

It is frustrating to drive past collapsing buildings, collapsing buildings like the Apothecary Hall and the building across from where the Durand Tower used to be.

Our people need housing.

Revitalizing our downtowns presents an opportunity to create new and additional housing while restoring the blight, and created an economic activity to these areas.

The Abandoned and Derelict Building Act we submitted to the last year is a first step to returning your downtowns to their former glory.

I know they're difficult decisions, but senators, we have to move on our downtowns before they crumble completely into dust as we move forward.

We are not only building rebuilding our infrastructure, but also preserving our natural heritage, which directly impacts the well-being of our people.

After 54 years.

Fifth, I want you to note how long has taken us to get stuff accomplished in the Virgin Islands and we getting them done in this administration.

After 54 years and several worthwhile attempts, we have achieved the historic milestone of adopting the territory's first comprehensive land and water use plan.

With the signing of 89 of the.

In addition, our people have been working.

In addition, we got a $69 million our grant, which will expand the territorial park system that we established a couple of years ago, adding over 2700 acres, including Maroon Ridge Estate, perseverance, and most amount equal to protect our green spaces in perpetuity.

You got it right that time.

This expansion will offer residents greater access to natural spaces, promoting recreation, mental well-being, and environmental stewardship.

Similarly, the Department of Agriculture, through a forestry grant, is moving forward with the purchase of 91 acres on Inner broski over and in Saint Thomas.

Once complete, that will also be added to the park system by the end of this year, administration would have performed the largest acquisition of land and property for the people of the Virgin Islands in history.

We had to leave things out of here.

We also bought the Asian island block, but you can't see everything in a report right?

But while buildings and living spaces are important, perhaps our most formidable threat to the overall health of our community.

On a panel last year, we highlighted the chronic illnesses that plague us and our, our our, our resistance to taking the medication and the exercise we need to keep living.

We are fully committed to fostering a healthy living because as we know, the somebody is the best.

It's the best investment will inspire our people to get back outside and embrace a more active and vibrant way of life.

The Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation is working diligently to complete recovery repairs Tory territory white on Saint Thomas, where renovations have been completed at Mo.

Griffith, Alvin Mike being Joseph I-beam and Kerwin Torrance Terrace ballparks.

These parks now feature LED lighting, batting cages, bleachers, scoreboards and perimeter fencing in partnership with sale and serve the Ezra Frederick Ballpark and free to enjoy.

You know, the one that looks like a real bother.

And they say it will be transformed into a multi-use recreational facilities.

Activities will include playground and a new skate park.

We broke down this month by.

This past year, we celebrated the reopening of two significant recreational facilities on Saint John with the Orville Brown basketball court and a cruise bay.

Tennis court.

They stand as physical symbols of our progress.

Meanwhile, in Saint Croix, games are now being held at the Rudy Krieger Complex and DC kind of gates.

A Little League park which has rebuilt dugouts and lighting, and the construction that the rental Jackson Park in Win will be completed by March of this year, bringing baseball and softball back to the west side of Saint Croix this past year.

This past year, we celebrated the reopening of newly reconstructed pavilions at Kramer Park Beach.

These new pavilions with grills and fencing, walkways and picnic tables will be utilized for years to come for class reunion, battle of the agencies and weekend outings.

These pavilions symbolize more than just shelter.

They represent a commitment to building back better and providing an enhancement beach and experience for residents.

The Vincent Mason pool renovation project in Frederick said, remains on track, to be completed by the beginning of summer, just in time for swimming lessons.

While we continue to feel exasperated, exasperated in a word with the current contractor, we can finally see the end of the tunnel is hazy for the Poly Joseph Stadium project.

I mean, making sure our community has facilities to be active and play with their children and live their best healthy lives is a priority for us.

We have, plans to install 16 new park playgrounds across the territory, ensuring safe and engaging play areas for our children.

We also making upgrades to a media commons or the much worn park fencing and all the mulch in there and lighting improvements.

All of these things we're doing to make sure that our kids and our families have inexpensive and safe places to play.

When I said last year we would have carnival races again at Clinton 85th racetrack, many doubted.

I knew in my heart what it meant for our community to have the resumption of horse racing.

Indeed, the community was overwhelmed with excitement and it came out in record numbers to support our jockeys and horse enthusiasts with the commitment of dedication of Southland Gaming and Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation.

The Thunder of Hoofbeats have been heard in four race cards in six months.

It should be evident.

By this time, it should be evident to everyone.

We've done everything we can do.

That vehicle does not have the wherewithal nor the resources to rebuild the track.

Today, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Vigo for the breach of a contract.

We have the resources.

We already have 12 million on our own, and we the government, can rebuild around old James truck and restore horse racing to simply.

The Department of Health continues to tackle health disparities by expanding access to care.

Another remarkable thing that happened last year through the Department of Defense Innovative Readiness Training Program.

We welcome over 300 military medical professionals to the Virgin Islands, our largest health event in the history.

The USVI Wellness Fair, went on for seven days.

They delivered 2.25 million in free medical service, no charge to our residents, impacting over 2100 individuals across three islands.

The health fair is scheduled to return this summer to provide expanded, no cost services for our residents, including dental care, optometry, medical screenings, pediatric visits, physicals and vaccinations.

Residents will again have access to routine physical and emergency exams, teeth cleanings, fillings and extractions, as well as assessments for blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose and mental wellness.

We have also completed the USVI Cancer Plan, the first comprehensive guide to address our territory's cancer burden.

This plan also aims to reduce incidences of mortality rates and alleviate the economic burden of care, bolstering our commitment to combat cancer.

Charlotte Kimmelman, Cancer Institute remains on schedule for a November 2025 completion date.

In the meantime, we have granted over $300,000 in assistance to nonprofits that helps families travel abroad for care so that they could travel, the cost of travel, experience, expenses and housing.

We look forward to resuming the much needed oncology services for the people of the Virgin Islands and patients from our neighboring islands.

In October 2024, Snyder Regional Medical Center celebrated a significant milestone with the grand opening of its newly expanded hemodialysis unit.

The hemodialysis unit is the only facility in the region with a four star rating, reflecting its exceptional care through the support of a $2 million grant from my administration.

They are assist patients in this.

This Saint Croix District can now receive service at the Virgin Islands Health Care Foundation Renal Center, its location in Sunny Isles.

The CMS certified 12 chair facility has a capability of serving up to 78 patients weekly.

The opening of the nationally affiliated Dialysis Center will increase accessibility and fill this significant gap in health care.

We are making progress with improving the state of health care in our territory.

JFL North is now online, but there were apparent gaps in the form and function of this interim facility.

We have to purchase another five acres that had and lease warehouse space and parking lot.

We also recall the vital services that were affected during the hurricanes.

After the hurricanes causing our dialysis patients to be relocated to the mainland.

Subsequently, patients were receiving care in trailers this summer.

Jeff Fellow transitioned into its dialysis unit to a brick and mortar facility.

But let's face it, the challenges of providing health care existed before the storms, and it will continue after until we address the issue of the tremendous uncompensated care burden in our territory.

The solution will require legislation and collaboration between our two branches of government and our health care institutions to create some kind of inclusive, mandatory health insurance for everybody.

With workers and employees contributing, it has to be done.

We simply can't afford to give everybody care for free.

We've made tremendous progress in increasing our Medicaid cap.

Working with the delegate, we've got it now that we only pay 17% of the match, but it's not enough.

We are meeting the challenges facing our territory, heading on head on, starting with the well-being of our children.

We are committed to strengthening our child protections programs to safeguard and strengthen the most vulnerable among us.

The growing social and emotional struggles faced by school age children demand our attention.

At the same time, we must stand firm against those who threaten the safety and the innocence of our youth.

There is no place for such individual or those who condone them in our community.

We will continue to protect our children and ensure that our homes and our schools have the support they need.

This last decade has brought tumultuous change for all of us, especially in the lives of our young Virgin Islanders.

Yet in the face of this reality, they continue to adapt, persevere and rise above the challenges before them.

Our students are not just overcoming, they are excelling.

The Department of Education is championing student success with targeted initiative approaches that celebrate our unique identity and equip our youth for global competitiveness.

Virgin Islands students are now learning from a groundbreaking, vice centric civics textbook, fostering a deep understanding of national and local governments.

Programs like the film and Writing academies empower our students to tell their stories of uncertainty and triumph.

While the planned addition of the new steam centers in both districts introduce cutting edge technology such as 3D printers opening doors to careers in science and technology, engineering and arts, the excellence of our school has not gone unnoticed.

U.S.

Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona Hill, the 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools as raising the bar for our students.

Last year, three of our schools were recognized as beacons of innovation and achievement.

I want to congratulate our very own Ricardo Richards Elementary School as being recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School.

For our students, academic performance underscores this progress.

Since 2021, we have seen significant improvements in the annual assessments for science, reading and math, key pillars of lifelong success in science.

Our students moved from 45% to 64%.

This is a 40% increase in student performance that at or near grade level, these gains are mirrored by results on a Smarter Balanced assessment, with an increase of 49% in English Language arts and math proficiency, demonstrating the transformative impact of a focused and passionate Department of Education.

But this progress, this progress would not be possible without the extraordinary dedication of our teachers.

Those who inspire, ignite curiosity and change lives every day.

Educators like Mrs.

Erik Davis, Saint Croix District Teacher of the year, and Mr.

Cornell Hanley, Saint Thomas Saint John Teacher of the year embody this commitment.

Their their passion is matched by Andre Douglass.

I've actually been to his classroom of Yvonne and Dora Hayden High School, who efforts to make get this mathematics palatable, enjoyable and memorable.

It earned him the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Andre Douglass, ladies and gentlemen.

Changed progress and transformation a spark by learning and ignited by teaching.

These sparks become a flame of innovation and inspiration when fueled by environments that nurture growth.

Through the Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance, which was launched this past summer, we are working to ensure every child has a safe, functional space to learn and grow from replacing air conditioned units and addressing roof repairs, drainage and sewage issues.

We are transforming our schools into places where students and educators can thrive.

Education is the foundation of progress, but our people so.

But for our people to thrive, they must grow up in communities where safety is not a hope but a guarantee.

While we celebrate the achievement of our students, we cannot ignore the growing threat of crime and fear that undermine their potential and disrupt all of our futures.

That's why we invest in and community programs, and investing and expanding support for youth and creating pathways for healing.

We are taking bold and decisive steps toward a safer and more just version.

Dallas The Virgin Islands Police Department is transforming with critical upgrades and infrastructure and cutting edge, cutting edge technology like traffic light enforcement systems and the East Citation Project.

That's right people, your tickets coming in the mail better stop running them red lights and email these innovations fair with 180 new surveillance camera.

We watching you.

This strengthens our community trust and enhancing our ability to protect and serve.

And as we work tirelessly to make our communities safer, we continue to strengthen our law enforcement efforts.

Recently, we welcome 32 Virgin Islands Police Academy graduates.

Each of these individuals undergone extensive training and is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our citizens.

We will continue to leverage both advanced technology and human intelligence to combat crime and protect our communities.

The work we are doing today will lay the foundation for a safer tomorrow.

But despite our best efforts, 44 homicides occurred in 2024.

We had seven homicides from January to June and 37 from July to December.

Breaking this cycle requires more than just lie enforcement.

It demands urgent, decisive action and prevention, intervention and healing.

But on the prosecution fund, the Department of Justice has taken a firm stance against violent and white collar crime, reflecting our determination to address this serious issue head on.

In 2024, 33 homicide cases were prosecuted.

Although the prosecution of homicides often lags due to the complexity of investigation and trials, the AG remains committed to bringing justice to the victims and their families.

In addition to homicides, we are prioritizing domestic violence and mental health related offenses, offenses, and the illegal possession of firearms.

Our Department of Justice is also spearheading efforts to work with the judicial judiciary for the backlog, improve collaboration with the VIP, the U.S.

Attorney's Office and Superior Court judges, and moving cases along the.

The Virgin Islands Territory Management Emergency Management Agency earned an Emergency Management Accreditation Program certification in October.

If anybody you know about emergency management is US right?

This milestone comes on the heels of another challenging year marked by tropical storm or ness.

Though the boats on the waterfront still reminding us of past.

We are deeply grateful to former President Biden for granting our request for a presidential major disaster declaration.

We greatly aided our efforts in responding to the storm's damages.

These achievements reflect our ongoing commitment to strengthening emergency response capabilities in the face of increasing challenge and climate change.

This milestone is particularly particularly significant because it makes it first makes us the first territory to get this a certification.

So to support our emergency efforts, along with this certification, we also secured another $161 million from the Bureau of Information Technology to make sure that our communication infrastructure is good, further enhancing our preparedness for future emergency.

But all this support and all the things that I mentioned can only be paid for and sustained based on the fiscal health of the territory and the government finances.

Tonight, I wish to express my gratitude again for the establishment of a $50 million line of credit to help manage the government's finances.

This line of credit is a financial tool that any Billion-Dollar government should have its disposal.

Given the cyclical nature of revenue collection, this line has already proven invaluable in assisting with vendor obligations.

I'm proud to report tonight that we have utilized $25 million out of the line to pay outstanding obligations.

I want to be clear, though.

We have the resources to pay our bills, manage our costs, and maintain a balanced budget, but is but is in all management and budget operation.

We must make prudent choices.

Legislature I get it as politicians, we know that our people appreciate buildings for a lot longer than they appreciate Retropie 8% paybacks and salary increases.

These structures stand as long lasting reminders of our individual contribution to our communities.

But senators, let us use these proceeds from recently settled losses, battering cash to settle the old debts rather than create new debts.

We already have over 20 billion in construction.

Let us use this money to put our finances in order.

There's trouble brewing.

The rum cover over is crucial to sustaining the vibrancy of this Virgin Islands economy, and the payment of our matching fund bonds are ongoing.

Funding uncertainty threatens the solvency of our pension system in 2024.

In conjunction with the delegate, we work hard advocating aggressively lobbying Congress to permanently set the cover of rate at 1325, but to no avail.

This remains a top priority for this administration and this new Congress.

Hopefully, the gridlock eases and we can have positive action to restore the rum cover over to the rate.

This is why our official visits to Washington, DC are so important.

Many issues remain on our federal radar to address our need for additional workers.

Changes to the tax code, our treatment by the US National Park Service, immigration and border security as well as a safe restart to the refinery in Saint Croix.

But all our progress, all our hard fought victories can be undone by the actions or inaction of just a few.

This year, our community has been confronted with painful truth.

This accusations of corruption have shaken both the private and the public sectors within and beyond our government.

As your governor, the reality has weighed very heavily on me.

I have pored over policies, scrutinized procedures, reviewed codes of conduct, and examined indictments, searching for the fault lines that allow these things to happen.

Now, some may seize this moment to paint the entire Brian Roach administration with the brush of corruption.

But let me be clear.

My concern is not for our reputation alone.

My fear is that these accusations will cast a shadow over the character of all Virgin Islanders, whether they serve in public office or across business institutions and daily life.

I firmly reject this narrative.

We are people of integrity, resilience and faith, hard working individuals committed to creating better lives for our families and communities.

What defines us should never be limited to the actions of any one group.

In my life.

We.

In my reflections on this, I've come to a sobering reality no policy, no procedure, no code of conduct can entirely guard against human weakness.

Trust is the foundation of government and when not trusted, violated.

It puts a toxic seed of doubt.

As your governor, along my alongside my administration, I am steadfast in my commitment to uproot this mistrust and restore faith in our institutions.

Let me say unequivocally, we will have zero tolerance for corruption in any form in this administration.

Today, I have signed into existence a new comprehensive code of ethics corruption.

Whether it manifests itself as theft, fraud or the misappropriation of funds, is a cancer that threatens the very lifeblood of our community.

Our charges to protect government resources, to fortify our defenses, we have built a framework for transparency and accountability that is stronger than ever before.

We have implemented clear and competitive bidding processes.

We modernize procurement legislation.

We require transparency from the government of the Virgin Islands.

For all our projects, we have enforced strict binding requirements and upheld standards for environmental.

Our archeological and historic preservation, ensuring every project is not only legally compliant but aligned with our environmental and sustainability.

Sustainability goals.

These measures are not just symbolic, they reflect our unwavering commitment to integrity and ethical leadership for the division of Personnel has now implemented mandatory training for government employees, including members of my cabinet, on the principles of ethical governance.

This effort is updated.

This effort is bolstered by the updated Code of Conduct replacing an executive order dating back to 1961, 64 years ago.

Our administration is determined to emerge from this chapter stronger, more transparent and more resilient.

Together, we are building a legacy of trust and accountability that will define the Virgin Islands for generations to come.

Let this moment be.

Let this moment be a turning point, not just for our government, but for the collective conscience of our community.

Our journey has never been about building monuments.

It has always been about changing the mindset, lives and futures of all Virgin Islanders, as well as shaping the course of these islands.

The key theme of my administration has been persistence.

Staying the course.

No matter the challenges.

In less than 25 years, we will celebrate 200 years of emancipation.

In just eight years, we will mark 300 years since the Saint John Revolt of 1733.

And in three years, we will honor the 150th anniversary of the fire burn.

In 1917, when America was on the rise, our fate seemed uncertain.

Yet within ten years of that transfer, we had gained American citizen citizenship, and in less than 50 years, we achieved self-governance.

Despite how far we have come, we still have much to do.

In just a few months, we will gather for our sixth Constitutional Convention.

Let this be the final time we go through this process.

We must create a new, inclusive constitution that reflects who we are as a multi-ethnic, multiracial and multi denominational people living proudly under the Stars and Stripes.

I remain concerned about how we continue to delay our full potential and prosperity.

We have worked hard to build opportunities to break free from poverty and improve.

Our lives are here, yet too many of us seem either unprepared, unwilling or just afraid to take action.

Figures like David Hamilton, Jackson Irby, oddly, and many other great virgin Islanders overcame is significant challenges to advance these islands we call home today.

We cannot let their sacrifices go to waste through fear or apathy.

It is up to us, not just a legislature, the people in this building, Virgin Islanders.

It is up to us to honor their legacy and fulfill our potential.

So although we are progressing through the throes of change, greater good requires action.

And sometimes that action is unpopular.

Our legacy and our fortunes are one in the same, and if not curated well, we will have the risk of falling once again into disrepair.

Senators, let us not exit these halls and pick up the battering ram of our political offices for the sake of acrimony and personal ambition, let us work together to pass legislation that inspires wealth acquisition and encourages greater home ownership and business development for our people.

Virgin Islanders leadership is a lonely season.

Your senators, the Lieutenant governor and I can attest to such.

The priorities before us may at times compete and conflict, but together we are about these Virgin Islands and its residents and our overall well-being.

Rest assured, your government is working for you, and if this government is to endure, your full participation is required.

You must take advantage of the opportunities.

Work with us to build community, shined a light on wrongdoing and wrongdoers, embrace a healthy lifestyle and commit to preserving our natural environment and our territorial treasures.

Let us strengthen our resolve to collectively clear away the rubble that has mired us in a mindset of disaster and crisis.

Our vision for our community is a common one.

Let us not waver when it comes to promoting responsible citizenship.

We shall remain unrelenting, unflinching on.

Of course, to progress.

The road ahead may not always be easy, but together we will overcome any challenge that stands in our way, including the throes of progress.

As James Weldon so eloquently eloquently stated, sing a song full of faith that the dark past has taught us.

Sing a song full of hope, that the present has brought us.

Facing the rising sun of our new day begun.

Let us march on till victory is won.

God bless you.

God bless the Virgin Islands.

Love you.

On it.

All right.

And that was the governor giving his seven state of the territory address.

If you are still with us, the governor is about to depart the halls of the early legislative chambers shortly, and we're going to sit here and we're going to recap and we're going to hear some reactions from lawmakers and also from you later on in the show.

But right now, Hugo, I want to go to you.

Tell me, what was your reaction on the governor's, address this evening?

I think he covered a lot of the topics that people wanted to hear about.

I appreciate that he went into some discussion on the the elephant in the room, which is the, the, the I call it a scandal or the accusations or the indictments of of some of his cabinet members.

I think it's always a tricky to get into those subject matter when it's an ongoing criminal case, particularly when you're not trying to taint the jury pool.

You're, you're trying to offer people due process as, as everyone is entitled to in this country or is until proven guilty or supposed to be at least.

So I appreciate the effort in doing so and, and hope that, it'll reach those, in those positions and the rest of the committee, for that matter, to operate themselves in a certain manner.

I definitely, I think it's long overdue for the action being threatened for, for for AGL and the lawsuit that was filed.

It's been stagnant for for way too long, and and we deserve to have what's really reaching back on the island of Saint Croix.

I infrastructure was discussed, a lot of different ways.

Waste management was in discussion.

I think the Public Service Commission needs to be held to a more accountable level.

And then then they're being held to, they they're they're the ones that provide the rates for that agency to be solvent.

And their fiduciary responsibility is to for the for every agency to regulate.

It's one to the, the public best interest.

But to to keep the entity solvent because that in itself is in the best interest of the of the of the, of the public.

Right.

So I mean, diversification of the economy, the mention of, of all the energy projects.

I can do it.

I'll talk more energy.

The solar solar, I think the 16 and 20 megawatt farms would put Saint Croix at about 40,000,000W of solar.

When it's all said and done, a system that probably peaks at 45MW right now, that's quite significant.

You know, they have solar and battery of that magnitude and still have future replacement approval for I think it's, $400 million for, for for a new generation.

So, let me do more on that actually.

So I, I think it was well rounded.

Definitely.

The highlights of where we are tourism wise, the high rating.

How are you rankings.

Regionally as well as nationally, the top three destination, all those things.

We're welcome to hear or see.

What did you think of the governor said of the territory address?

Did it leave you wanting any more?

Well, I was initially saying we we spoke about this, off camera, but the understanding of basically what the state of the territory address it is.

What is the state of the territory?

The state of the Union.

It is a foreign in an opportunity in this instance, for for the governor to to speak of his accomplishments over the past year and hopefully do that, solely speak of his accomplishments over the past year.

But more importantly, the need to acknowledge some of the shortcomings the shortcomings will acknowledge, at least in my opinion.

In some instances, it in a very, low, low capacity.

I think the subject matter that I was concerned with at the beginning of this, discussion, we got some infrastructure, whether it was the schools, whether it was the hospitals, whether it was our rules, whether it was our wastewater or the management of our garbage truck.

So the territory is still a significant issue that needs to be addressed by the administration.

And the beginning of his remarks, where he identified and he mentioned, suffering from a two category five hurricanes, which we are familiar with, particularly since that's some, eight years ago, we're almost going into to a decade later and still suffering from the effects of the lack of the implementation of some of the infrastructure that needs to be addressed, where we've had, before us and within our coffers, a large sum of money amounting to more than billions of dollars.

And I think that, as a community and as our citizenry, we are not feeling comfortable listening and hearing that we are coming to you soon.

I know we had some mention of, contracts being issued for schools.

Which is a complete distinct difference when work beginning.

And so they plan to enter into contracts before the end of the year.

And in the, in some instance, for instance, that reaches elementary school.

You said that will be ready in August of 2026.

Yes.

We we still have in August of 2025.

So we have some serious concerns that I think that the community wants to see addressed at a more speedily manner.

Yeah.

Jenica tell me, what are your thoughts?

You know, this is a seven state of the territory address.

We're still we heard a lot from infrastructure.

What more did you want to hear?

So as I had said beforehand, I was really hoping to get, really good assessment of the state of the economy in a structural way.

So how are our revenues looking vis-a-vis the expenditures that we have to that we have to undertake?

And I and I think that it is, would be useful for the territory to separate out the influx of federal dollars, from the the revenue that the territory is able to generate for itself, for tax revenue and so on, because we all know that the recovery money, the recovery funds will come to an end at some point.

Are we getting the economy to a place where, when that money is no longer available, the engine of growth is still there?

I and I, I mean, I, you know, it's kind of hard for me as a journalist to react immediately to a speech that I've just heard, you know, that I like to go and, you know, my notes, do my research, pull up articles from five years ago, etc.

but I feel like we are still but I don't feel I need to just speak for myself.

I don't feel like I'm getting a really solid grasp of exactly where the territory is in terms of its, it's, you know, just revenue expenditure and, and leaving out that federal money which, which can, you know, influences it's a lot of money.

It's coming in all at once.

Obligations here, there and everywhere.

But structurally how is the territory doing.

And I don't feel like I got a good sense of that.

Me personally, very interesting lawsuit.

Against vehicle.

That was one of the stalled projects that we spoke about.

So it's interesting to see this action being taken.

I'm, you know, going to hop on to the court, you know, docket tomorrow and see what what I can find of that lawsuit.

Very interesting for me that he really, admitted that we simply cannot afford to pay the retroactive pay that was promised.

So, I see that he has put that back on to the legislature, and said, you know, hey, we're appropriate some funds, juggle some money around and see what you can do.

But, that I think is going to be, a major sticking point for the executive to find, you know, how how they're going to pay that, that money that was promised back.

So lots of interesting things to digest.

I think it was, the speech was in his usual, you know, optimistic and ebullient style.

But when you really start to parse and, and and look deeper, there are some there are some concerns that I don't necessarily believe were adequately addressed.

Okay.

We've we've had a lot of conversation off camera.

You were jotting your notes down, you know, tell me what was your your thoughts on the governor's address?

I have to agree with, jenica on, the what I heard this evening, I expected more, I expected more solid information.

I think we are at the place where, the people of the Virgin Islands want to hear timelines as it relates to, disaster recovery.

But I want to go back to what, former Senator Uzi Richard said as it relates to what is a state of the territory address mean and what you should get out of it.

And I do agree that, you know, we should have heard more about the accomplishments over the past year.

And it's very obvious that the accomplishments we are short on accomplishments.

And, we need to use this as a lesson to ensure that we are able, to push forward in the upcoming year.

So the governor talked about, the implementation of, cannabis.

And of course, that legislation was passed, in 2023.

Yes, some way about and the 2022, 2023.

So I'm looking forward to seeing that come on line.

That is a that was a is is supposed to be a major economic driver revenue producer.

It's projected to, produce some $50 million.

So it's my fervent hope that, as we do the work, as he does the work in his, in his administration, that next, next time we will hear that we are seeing the fruits of that labor.

Now, as it relates to and I want to go back a bit to the, disaster recovery projects.

I really believe that, you know, we've heard from this administration over and over that we're going to see, schools demolished, and we haven't seen that we've seen we have just one school that's currently being rebuilt.

We did a lot of work in the legislature around, the rebuilding of the land swap and, the urgency for the land swap.

And we haven't heard this evening about the rebuilding or the building, the building of the special school in Saint John, the new school in Saint John, in a meaningful way, was very, you know, glossed over, as it relates to the retro, I think it's important that I touch the retro as I served as the chair of the, finance committee at the time when, the commitment was made that the government of the Virgin Islands, the chief executive and the office of OMB made a commitment and wrote it.

It was in writing I requested it in writing that, the send down to the legislature how they would pay Peter Richer and they committed that they would utilize $30 million or $25 million from the Arpa funds, and those funds were drawn down for that specific purpose.

I think it is, it's it's it's just not in our best interest to to put that back on the legislature.

I think that the let the and it was said earlier, you know, the legislative branch did its work, the legislative branch did its job.

And I believe that for the governor to come down into the the chambers of the legislature and demand that the legislators utilize other funding or other resources for this purpose.

When we took our time, when legislators took their time to, pass legislation to identify or took the time to identify the funding, I believe that the executive branch needs to go back to the drawing board and make their own necessary cuts to address the challenges that we that they have with, paying out the retro, and, one of the things that was that, you know, jumped out at me was the fact that the, the governor is suggesting in his, his state of the territory this evening that we should, you know, move away from the Asbury Park for our children.

We talked about children and the importance of, you know, promoting and supporting our children in the Virgin Islands.

But in fact, we want to do have a one and done conversation about paying out the retro out of these funds and moving away from, having the opportunity for our children to have the soccer fields and the baseball fields and the tennis fields and, the cricket opportunities.

So, that definitely that's something that is of concern to me.

I do I will say, though, that, from the economic development perspective, there is good work occurring in the first, last Port Authority.

So you see where the Port Authority is, you know, moving forward with their projects.

I didn't hear this evening, though, about the dredging project projects, the the dredging of both projects, but particularly the dredging in Charlotte O'Malley.

Those funds were set aside.

It was talked about in the last state of the territory.

The funds are set aside.

Mid-last year.

And that project, we didn't hear whether or not that project is, about to take off.

And, the homeownership opportunities, as as I was sharing with the panel earlier, my concern is I'm all for homeownership.

But I believe that, you know, we should have identified, properties land in, both districts and utilized that $74 million to support, new homes in the territory because we have not, we have a housing stock challenge in the territory.

So overall, I, I believe that the state of the territory, there was a lot of, you know, glossing over of things that are important that we really need to, drill down more to get more information so the people that feel comfortable.

What's happening in the Virgin Islands?

Yes.

Okay.

We have Clifford Joseph on line one.

Hi.

Good evening.

Senator Joseph, this is US career right now.

Going to put it on right now.

Okay.

One thing.

Okay?

Okay.

Hello.

Hi.

Good evening, Senator Joseph.

Good evening.

How are you doing?

I'm good.

How are you?

I am good, all right.

Now, Senator Joseph, give us your reactions to the governor's state of the territory address.

You are a freshman senator coming in.

Tell me, you know, what were your thoughts on the governor's address overall?

I mean, the the portion with the the money for the territory, with song is good, but I mean, I think we need a clear cut, innovative government.

I mean, where the government really has and doesn't have.

Because when, when you keep saying what's there and then everybody going to be it and then we don't, we see projects completed.

It's then you.

Then at some point we come back, I hear match.

And so a lot of it was somewhere the or we spoke about what would be quality time or doing different that they could have control the problem if they have certain rate tuned.

And currently, I say from June to December, that's that's alarming.

Yeah, that's really alarming.

I mean, I'm, I look at other more because I, over Homeland security.

So it was a question I get asked myself as well.

But, you know, the numbers are alarming.

Okay.

Well, thank you so much, Hugo.

You have any questions for the senator?

No.

I guess, Senator, congratulations on your your election.

Thank you.

As far as as what you just mentioned with the with, the Homeland Security being on your jurisdiction as well as, the numbers you heard.

What would you propose?

What do you have in mind to propose?

To combat crime?

Okay.

The combating is one thing, but it's something other being clear for making sure justice.

What they have up to the police, Mr.

Harris, because there's a breakdown in between there.

And I think, once we start to prosecute individuals in a faster manner, I think the behavior won't change because I feel like just like anything else, if people see you doing doing it, that both of them, they continue to control it.

And like I say, we have every done in the draft, they fix and say now with some issues that we have, so that for sure, if we have justice, need to make sure prosecutions take place shot.

Yeah, they're there because when do these people remember for like a time up to ten times they get funded.

Judge some technicality.

This is a three month.

No, no.

By the way, if you lose a loved one, I see somebody walking down the street that we think.

What?

That cuz so that they don't be prosecuted.

But women to set free Billy Bush for justice and the police ring and created rescinded.

She dropped it.

Okay.

All right.

Well, thank you so much, Senator Joseph, for calling in.

We do have Senator Biden on line two.

Good evening, Senator Biden.

Good.

Hi.

Hi.

Good evening.

Good evening.

Jenica.

Do you have any questions for Senator Biden?

Sense of light on.

How are you doing this evening?

I'm trying to get all I'm good.

What I wanted to know is, what was the one thing that you liked about the speech and one thing that you would have like to hear more of?

Can you repeat?

Repeat?

Did you cut off points?

Sorry.

I wanted to find out.

What was the one thing that you heard that you liked the most about the governor's speech, and also the one thing that you were not a fan of?

Of both.

But you know, the one thing I was glad to hear, of course, was the home ownership opportunities for folks in Loveland.

Their view on cutbacks.

Well, because, you know, they I've been waiting for some time and I've been a big part of that from the beginning in terms of assurance, however.

So I was very happy to hear that.

So happy to hear the vision for the public and making moving forward.

I'm very, very glad for that.

The one thing I would not, happy about in terms of the $22 trillion that's been awarded to the Virgin Islands, I believe many of the are constituents, the business owners, the workers are not seeing a check of 96 of those dollars.

So I look forward to seeing how we can show that the money gets to the little man on the street.

And a lot of people have a hole because they need to be the winner and a big winner of all of these money that they did for our economy because of people are not feeling it.

That's what I'm hearing from them.

And that's why I'm not a champion.

Actually, they have for legislation to deal with the minimum wage and other opportunities for local small businesses to assure that they get a fair share of all these billions of dollars flowing through our economy to include the marine industry.

So about all in all, I'm pretty optimistic about a future.

I look forward to working with our administration and my colleague and assuring that we accomplish all of the things that were stated in.

Yeah.

All right.

Well, thank you so much for calling in.

We do want to keep a call going.

On line three, we have Carla Joseph.

Good evening, Senator Joseph, for the evening.

How are you?

I'm good.

How are you?

These are awesome.

Thank you so much, president.

All right, Senator Joseph, please turn on your TV.

So, what you have in the background, please, could you say hello?

Good evening.

Hi.

Good evening, good evening.

And and, Joseph, we are just hearing a little feedback in your background.

This, also trying to get in, area that we are going to receive any feedback.

No problem.

I see which is a we're interested to hear from you.

So you use that you're not a first time center.

You've been in the legislature for a couple of terms.

What is your comparison from what was shared in the last territorial, address in comparison to this year's territorial address, as far as accomplishments and things that are getting done through the administration?

Well, what I could say is, I'm very pleased, coming from my background in federal grant management, that the governor has obligated all of the federal funds, but that is, sounding out sounding, accomplishment.

And so I'm very happy to hear that, I didn't hear anything about collections.

And I'm very concerned about this one in, one out with the loss of money, from the Jeffrey Epstein, lawsuit.

That's kind of a bit concerning to pay off of that.

These moneys can and should be used so that we could have a level, reoccurring source of funds.

And everyone knows that port, tourism is a big is $1 billion industry a concern about that?

And also, I really liked, what he talked about about, you know, building trust.

But we all know as leaders, trust has to begin at the top.

We have this, he termed this the toxic seed of doubt in our minds.

How did that happen?

That didn't just come up because of these cases, the legislature, the 31st legislature moved $25 million of our hard working, hard working in government employees.

And what what happened with that governor arbitrarily moved it and sent it home to work.

So when you talk about trust, it begins at the top.

All right.

Thank you so much, Senator Joseph.

I do appreciate you calling.

And we do want to keep the line moving.

Okay.

All right.

We have Senator Gibson's on line two.

Good evening, Senator Gibson's.

Hi, how are you?

Hi.

Good evening, Senator Gittins.

Hi.

Senator Gittins, this is, Donna Gregory.

How are you this evening?

Hey, listen, you're so great.

Very quickly, as the former chair of the Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety Committee of the legislature, what are your thoughts on what the governor shared with regards to his accomplishments in, 2024 and the way forward?

Okay.

First, I don't I think that the governor's state of the territory address was about, insightful and moving, and I appreciated the, timelines, that he's provided.

Thus far, as he rightfully stated, however, we have the resources to meet our obligations, but it must be done prudently.

And I agree with his approach.

And now it's time to demonstrate that some, some level of fiscal responsibility into action.

With regards to public safety, we do need to see more happening on the enforcement end.

And I was pleased to hear and, say that his administration would not tolerate any, public corruption, health.

Let me also applied the gain in tourism as well.

And the island of Saint Croix.

But we must take advantage of the opportunity for us to complete some of those projects.

For instance, the quality of the stadium and our terminals.

All right, well, I want to thank you so much, Senator Gittins, for calling in us for giving us your reactions to the governor's address this evening.

Thank you.

All right.

We have Senator Alma Francis Gallagher on the line.

Good evening, Senator Helga.

Hi.

Good evening.

How are you?

I'm good.

How are you doing?

Excellent, excellent.

Now, so the Francis Gallagher, do you think that the governor addressed, you know, some of the concerns of your constituents this evening?

It's not so much.

I think he addressed them.

I think he repeated what they were.

I mean, we know he has too much in the middle of the screen.

And your response in this territory was, okay, we're going to fix it.

What does that mean to me?

What does that mean to the rest of it?

I think where he kind of missed the ball is because of expounded on a few things, just to give people an idea, the direction that his administration is going in, in really trying to resolve some of these issues that are playing at a party.

He spoke about the Environment Tomorrow program and, you know, it's almost 700 homes in that program that are still trying to get a that you talked about a hundred already started, potentially 150 coming online this year.

That means another 450 people that have no idea what's going on.

I think if you're going to speak about the ills or the concerns of the people, even if you just gave them a little bit to say, hey, this is what we're going to be doing with the program, this is how we're going to progress.

You know, even if you guys get a contract, we're doing it for you.

And I think that's where the disconnect from a lot of the message is what he just said, okay, we have these issues and we're going to fix it.

That doesn't really mean much to people.

If you don't give them a pathway to what they think you're getting.

All right.

Well, thank you so much, Senator Alma Francis Heidegger, for calling in and giving us your reaction to the governor's address.

I really appreciate it.

All right.

Have a blessed day.

All righty.

Now we have Senator Kirk, VLA on the line.

Good evening, Senator violin.

Yes.

Good evening.

Good evening.

I believe Jessica has a question for you.

Sure.

Senator.

Hi.

I, I know that you're on, education this time around, but I'm going to ask you about finance.

I wanted to find out.

I wanted to find out your opinion of the.

You know, what the governor indicated about the rise in the tourism numbers.

Have you or do you believe that that this rise is, is also going to be reflected in the revenues that the territory is seeing?

And just your general opinion on the economic trajectory of the territory at the moment.

And that's an excellent question.

I will follow in the numbers for the government of the Virgin Islands.

Have been looking at, financial report, for this fiscal year, the month of October, November and December.

Despite the rise in the number of tourists visiting the island, we're actually a few million dollars less than was collected in fiscal year 24.

Other thing about that is the shift year 24 collected overall, some $70 million left in the year 23 for the collection of this year is a worst.

That is spent in probably the last four fiscal year.

So somehow the addition of tourists, isn't really correlated with a number that I'm seeing on the financial report.

You know, the money is collected from the income tax.

We are seeing a significant drop.

So I was quite surprised when I, when I heard the portion of the budget that we have money, we were able to have a balanced budget.

Money's not an issue when in fact we don't have so many phone calls, an outstanding vendor or by that government that we're back to last fiscal year.

So it's going to be very important for a later trip to have that fact finding hearing.

Where are we going to be able to dig a lot deeper into what is really going on financially with the government of Virgin Islands?

Okay.

It's not at it.

Not, you know, you can't have money and then you can't say it's not really horribly.

All right.

Well, thank you so much for calling in, Senator Velia.

We appreciate it.

All right.

Thanks a lot.

I'm ready to approach.

All right.

And we have Senator Johnson on the line.

Good evening, Senator Johnson.

Yes, I'm here.

All right.

Good evening.

I believe that Lucy has a question for you.

So very nice.

I have a good evening.

We work on Sunday, where I believe we are.

So, I heard General Jackson news on this subject matter of, sports.

Facility, specifically the Joseph Stadium.

Okay.

Can you share with us, what is your position in regards to, getting the project moving?

Do you believe the general engineering, contractor should be, treated in the same manner as the governor proposed to deal with?

His funding would be ideal, since they've been wrong and that for a period of time.

Think that then we're getting out because that's our money that we put into that.

We put some nearly $30 million a year for nothing.

But but even today I see some calls from some authority that have some issues with the company not being the contractors.

This is deeper.

And I think that what what government did with, lime trees, we have to go through all of it.

I think that that's what we need to do.

The that we're hearing rumors about and perhaps the rumors about you selling the company to, all of the time.

And if these things are going on in our project that we gave all of this money is not being completed, that we need to take a 75.

Right.

Well, thank you so much, Senator Johnson, for calling in.

We truly appreciate it.

All right.

Thank you.

All right.

We have Senator Marissa James on the line.

Hello.

Hi.

Good evening, Senator Murray, can I. Hi.

Can you hear me?

Senator James?

Hi.

Hi.

Good evening.

Yes, coach.

Good reason.

Yes.

Hi, Senator.

Morris.

James, how are you?

This is a this is Donna, friend Gregory.

How are you this evening?

Oh, okay.

Well, very.

How are you?

I'm biased.

My of course, my voice is.

I look for it because this is all very well.

I'm here very quickly.

As the former chair of education, I'm sure that you have other, impressions about the speech.

But as the former chair of education and workforce development, what are your thoughts around, the governor's, information that he share this evening with regards to the accomplishments in education around the test scores?

The.

Well, that was a surprise to me, quite frankly.

Because I had never received anything up until, the end that it's the 35th legislature.

So that is something.

Now, as a member of the, bill, the esteemed committee, other than that, the chair, I actually would like to delve in a little more, into, we are very friendly, for us, because that was a break.

I would say that that wasn't a pleasant surprise, though.

Think about it.

Because if we've seen an increase in our.

Or that what we want, that's definitely what we want to achieve.

But they've been able to do that over the past year.

I am very confident that we can even go further with our children with that.

All right.

Well, thank you so much, Senator James, for calling it.

We appreciate it.

Okay.

Thank you.

All right.

All right.

And I believe we have Senator Novo Francis on the line.

Good evening, Senator Francis.

Yes.

I'm here.

Hi.

Good evening.

Good evening.

All right.

I believe, Hugo, you have a question for Senator Francis?

Good evening, Senator.

Mr.

Howard, how are you doing?

Mostly sunny, mobile as well, with you there.

Good.

Thank you.

Can you please provide your reaction to the address?

Maybe what you found to be positive.

What?

Not so positive.

What did you take from the address tonight?

Well.

Affect me.

I believe that the the governor's speech continued to be insightful and upbeat.

You know, certainly this is the seventh, theater 30 territory address.

And I've had the opportunity to sit down in all seven of this, state of the territory address.

I think with me, this evening, I believe that he was not only willing to to discuss the, you know, the accomplishment and purpose of the administration, but also the challenges that confront us and our move into territory for which I have appreciation for him, you know, both balancing to this question of progress and accomplishment, as well as the challenges that confront us.

And it really speaks to us all sitting down at the elected leaders and being able to provide that roadmap by which we need to move to address some of those challenges that he expressed.

So I'm looking forward to us doing that.

All right.

Well, thank you so much, Senator Francis, for calling, and we appreciate it.

All right.

Welcome.

All right.

And on the line we have Hubert Frederick.

Good evening, Senator Frederick.

Good evening.

How are you doing this evening?

Pretty good.

Thanks for giving me an opportunity to speak to you guys.

All right.

Now, Senator Frederick, you are a freshman senator.

You know, you're coming into this.

Now, tell me, were there any key issues that the governor failed to address this evening that you were hoping to hear about?

I wish we talked a little bit more about the progress, I think, for in terms of simple things, some of the low hanging fruit issues, like road pothole repair that have been, one of the most common themes I heard when I was campaigning, you know, what are we going to do with these roads?

Because, you know, we talked about cost of living.

This is the cost of living that if you if you tear up your tires, mess up your front end, it's going to cost you and your family a lot of money.

And that's the basic setup of things.

I think people wanted to hear what could be done with these dangerous roads.

I mean that the grass is growing in road cars, about two lane road to be a single lane.

Look what's being done with simple things like that.

I know, his job is to tout the great job his administration is doing that.

I'm here to represent those people who don't see anything being done.

And so I'm wanting to see what is he doing to address just the simple things right now.

We'll get into the $22 billion in federal funding and all the other issues later on.

But let's address of sympathy.

All right.

Well, thank you so much, Senator Frederick, for calling in.

Appreciate it.

Thank you so much.

All right.

And I believe we have the Senate president, Milton Potter on the line.

Good evening, Senator Potter.

I did it all right.

Now, Senator Potter, Mr.

Richards, I mean, Lucy, do you have a question for the Senate President?

Well, I think it's important during this, his time as our presidency that he gives us a least his impression of what?

He got it from the governor's address.

How he understood the projection being made by the governor there.

He got sort of.

Excuse me.

The role of the legislature.

Well, all right, Senator Potter, are you still with us?

Yes, yes, yes.

Well, absolutely.

I think the governor made, as it good expected.

Governor.

He, pretty upbeat speech, you know, basically, he expected that to do well in this type of arena.

The governor has been doing this for the last seven years.

So I, you know, nothing that he said overly surprised me as far as the positivity displayed.

But the positive, upbeat nature, I think of the opportunity, certainly.

I think it was in contrast to the reality that the man and woman average was an island, on the street experiences.

I think just the whole idea of the literary press shows that it's really threatening to cripple, regularize your name on the cost of utilities or pop up food prices.

And it's been a story, sort of opposing these are really significant issues that the people of the budget Island are being threatened with.

And so I think that, by and large, governor's presentation was a bit.

But as I said, I don't think it was in sync with the realities that a man and woman on the street is experiencing.

All right.

Well, thank you so much, Senator President Potter, for calling in and giving us your reaction.

Definitely appreciate it.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right.

Now we have Senator Refund Saga on the line.

Good evening, Senator Fonseca.

Hey.

Good evening, Makita Roth, for how you doing?

This is my Celina Ventura Douglas.

But you're here with our panelists as well, too.

Okay.

I believe that former Senator Donna Gregory has a question for you.

Hi.

Good evening.

Senator Fonseca, and how are you this evening?

How are you doing today?

I'm well, thank you so very quickly.

This is your second state of the territory or your third, I believe.

State of the territory address?

Yes.

Your third state of the territory address since you've been serving as senator.

Tell me, what did you like about the, governor's state of the territory this evening?

And what are the things that you remain concerned about?

What do you know?

And thank you for that question.

You know, I listened attentively to all the statements made by a, you know, in the state of the territory.

You know, I am concerned I think the community has heard all this rhetoric before.

You know, one thing that John felt to me right away, he mentioned that this project, the important projects that we have planned for all that you, Dora, can have, lots can fill in that.

But that is definitely I know, you know, specifically with the health hospital and human service areas, you know, I remain very concerned because they wait in line.

That emergency room is still long.

There's still staffing shortages, equipment shortages, basic supplies.

And nobody can tell me when one in the hospital, Roy Snyder or American Clinic going to start or is going to finish.

So I'm urging the governor to declare a state of emergency to address these long emergency lines and to reduce the time.

Resident a week in to see a doctor, you know, and on and on and on.

You know, there's also the issues with the borders, the whole.

But create home for the elderly, the Queen, Louise home.

Nobody can tell me when these projects are going to start and they're going to finish.

So I'm I'm concerned about that too.

But I have to give him some credit.

He is doing a lot and he is making some progress in some important areas.

But as far as those hospitals and human services, we need to do more.

All right.

Well, thank you so much, Senator Fonseka, for calling in.

We appreciate it.

Thank you, thank you.

Blessings.

All right.

And I believe we have Senator Lewis on the line.

Good evening, Senator Lewis, and good evening.

And how are you doing to me?

I'm good.

Senator Lewis, I believe that.

Hugo, do you have a question for the senator?

Sure.

Good evening, Sandra Lewis.

30 minutes ahead.

And all you're doing today.

Excellent, excellent.

This is your first address as a senator.

Of course.

You have been in part of cabinet before, but as a senator, what's your impressions of the address?

And what's your take aways?

I think the, you know, the governor delivered his, speech.

He's no stranger to delivering this speech.

There's a lot of optimism in there.

I heard a lot of ribbon cutting and a lot of ground breaking.

I really didn't have much.

And they.

And I think that's one that we need to get start doing more of in this territory.

Did have a timeline, but again, everything could not be included in the speech.

So that's where my job Camino to bring the different agencies and Maria and all those other stakeholders into the legislature and the community of jurisdiction.

So we got the pertinent questions and all that to the fight, work along with them to make sure that we put them in something in a way, that legislative statement that could impact them from doing the job.

But, you know, I think it's it's a start.

I know a lot of, optimism of about 20 to $25 billion of projects going home, really excited to me to tackle a little more mental illness, which is a passion of mine.

But I did hear it.

I'm glad to hear that you talk a lot more affordable housing in this go wrong.

But there's a wealth of knowledge, wealth of information to take it to me.

And, you know, I think progress with nature said, I know you.

It's it's not right.

They know how difficult it is.

And the things that I know that actually they need to do to, to hold the feet to the fire and thing that we could do to improve in the territory.

All right.

Well, thank you so much, Lewis, for calling, and we appreciate it.

Okay.

Y'all have a wonderful evening and thank you for all you do for this community.

Thank you.

All right.

So we've heard from the lawmakers from the 36 members of the 36 legislature.

Give me some of your reactions on feedback on what you heard from the senators.

Okay.

I want to go to you first.

What what I think is, I use the first adjective of, interest in response from, from members of the body.

A good example of that.

I listen to, Senator Fonseka, who joined, I suspect, the, the first session of the 36th legislature was calling for a state of emergency in regards to health in the territory, the conditions of our hospitals and our own, health centers.

I think outside now of them giving their response to what the governor has said, that the legislatures and the members of the committees now have the expectation from us in the community to begin to to clamp down on the oversight responsibilities, like the first meeting of every committee, whatever the committee name should be, the the bringing in of these, departments and agencies, bringing them a copy of their annual budget, their staffing patterns, so that they could have a clearer understanding of basically the direction that the supposedly they should be headed to.

As far as agency heads, whether they call commissioners or the department heads, whatever it is.

And so that's my, my, my first take, take because the governor has his role to play.

Yes.

The ball is now in the court of the legislature.

So make sure that when the appropriate and put a budget out for the fiscal year, we know in our fiscal year 2025 whether or not the expectations are being met based on the the budget that has been passed, whether or not they fill in the staffing positions that have been, funded by the legislature.

So they have, they have their work cut out for them.

Yeah.

And, well, you, our viewers, you have a role to play as well too, because we'd like to hear from you.

And whether you're watching live on channel 12, streaming on Facebook or YouTube, give us a call at (340) 718-3339 to share your thoughts on governor O'Brien's seven state of the territory address.

Now, as we wait to hear from some of our viewers, we we heard a lot about, you know, disaster recovery.

We heard about education, we heard about a number of things.

And we also heard about the we heard some things about the bundling and rebuild USVI or whatnot.

Now, we spoke about this while we were on break as well too, and we spoke about this prior to as far as the super Ppmo, you know, you know, you had some thoughts on that.

I want to hear from you.

Yes.

I think it's one of the more misunderstood, items, but what is complex as well.

So the the reason for a super PMO is that the projects were not making enough progress in the smaller tranches.

So what the super PMO does is bundles in larger quantities, larger projects, bringing in multi faceted companies that can see these projects through and in several ways you can do it.

I'll give you an example.

If I'm going to build 30 facilities and they're all going to take AC units, there's absolutely no reason to carry 30 different parts and 30 different suppliers and whatnot.

We can do a bundle for that item.

We can select, let's say, one manufacturer.

We can contract for a different facilities using the same sort of a PMO.

We can have a set of supplies for maintenance for all of the entities, rather than a hodgepodge of lack of a better word of of of items to utilize.

As far as the $1 billion bundles, it can be done by region in the island, by like for the schools example, there's a bundle for the schools.

It does bring some synergies into what's being done.

You get one throughout the choke for the entire set of projects, and you get some more accountability in that manner.

It's not a management of, you know, personnel like that.

It's being coached to be in a sense, I want to continue the engagement.

But we do have a comment from Saint Croix on the line.

Good evening, caller.

Yeah, you're good evening.

So tell us, what were your thoughts on Governor Brian?

Seven state of the territory address as a resident from the island of Saint Croix.

Previously.

But I know I'm an educator, and I was a very much, was interested in on the state of education and health care, especially, one of the things we tend to forget from year to year in the state of the territory, what happened the previous year.

And, and, and people were skipping in previous years.

I listened to the progress, the governor talked about in education.

And as an educator, I perfected preventative test scores.

I, very surprised to hear that caucus score that so much better when we're not getting that report.

On the ground for very much for the for the one of the I'm one of the things I want to quickly comment on.

I know you're limited.

You talked about some of the projects that we've had that, that that the time lag time table is right on track.

But when you look at that, that may pool, for example, that, that, project has already expired in terms of officer B, but he said that was a track.

We're talking about $22 billion, but a good economy is not having the money, but making sure that you, make sure that projects are coming online and money circulation for better economy.

So I was not too impressed with your with those promises.

I really want to see a lot more work being done to make sure that the economy grow.

All right.

Well, thank you so much for calling.

And we really do appreciate it.

Thank you.

All right.

Okay.

Good evening.

Caller.

Good evening I do I don't know okay.

Well I think we lost scholar.

But in the meantime, Donna, you had a update about you.

You were ready to give you a rebuttal, a bit of a rebuttal.

Let me hear from you.

Well, you know, and it goes back to, Hugo and the super Pmml.

I think that what is of concern around this super pmml is it doesn't change the fact that we are challenged with the workforce.

So I definitely agree with you on the parts that you where you talked about, the opportunities to bundle the equipment, etc.

but how do we truly address the challenges that we have with the workforce capacity and the ability to attract folks here or even housed then here in the Virgin Islands, as we do this work?

You know, housing is a big issue.

Are you going to need man camps to be able to bring in the type of labor that needs to come in for this kind of, of, of projects?

And I think we're still confused publicly.

We just heard someone say that you bring them online to grow the economy.

You don't bring them online to grow the economy.

The rebuild grows.

The economy, the wages for doing work, the money spent in the community, the money spent on material, the money spent on manufactured goods.

That's what builds the economy.

Yes, yes, you want to bring them online, but their economy is growing during the entire process, you know.

Well, we do have a caller, from the Saint Thomas district.

Hi.

Good evening.

Caller.

Hello.

Caller okay.

Well, all right, well, we have another caller from the island of Saint Croix.

Good evening.

Caller.

Yeah.

Bless, bless.

Wow.

I am big time and big time.

We will see.

And then I swear to you.

Well, this is big, big time.

Yeah.

We are so proud to know that I could copy these beautiful people.

But, Senator Richard, quickly, before my talk about, the money that you want with no tax to pay aids, the senior.

Right.

But the the same money that was proposed to repair the horn for the senior citizen I on understand and then he he the I don't know, maybe I missed it.

Did he talk about the racist then, Senator, Gregory I don't know.

The Gregory David.

The reason that you were supporting, I don't know so quickly.

Just have to think, Senator Richardson and Senator Gregory, if you could just address that for me, please.

Guys, it's very important that we take care of our seniors, that he would have to pay the retirees.

Fine.

But, you know, what about the homes that we need for our seniors?

Thank you.

Thank you.

Yeah.

Well, let me let me just respond to that.

As far as the homes for the seniors, I don't know that the funding that he was, he was referring to was specifically tied to the sports complex in Nazareth, in Saint Thomas for the, young people.

So the funding for the seniors is still available.

The now, as as far as the, what was the other question?

The raises.

It raises, I think that the caller noted that I was in support of the reasons I what I will say is that the report that, was done by the, commission is flawed.

So I am definitely not in support of it.

As it is written, I believe wholeheartedly that we have to go back to the drawing board on that one.

So definitely not in support of it, because I don't believe that a good job was done in that report.

And just a quick clarity.

Marcelina, I think one of the things the the economy has grasped on to was the subject matter.

And that's why I had you talk to Donna, who was a member of the EDA, the 35th legislature, who had, I believe, in the lame duck session.

They had, passed a piece of legislation to set aside money for improving homes for senior citizens.

Citizens and and the governor, the governor had had vetoed that.

And then I suspect, if if, my recollection is correct, he did make some mention in the state of territory today, this evening that that moneys and moneys similar to the 140 facility that should be built by your daughter can should go in a different direction.

And so yes, I do because you have that experience.

I missed that part and you were involved in it.

So I don't just articulate well.

We don't give you opportunity to at least clarify that.

Absolutely.

We have another caller.

Good evening.

Caller.

Hi.

Good evening.

All right.

And you're calling from the Saint Thomas from Saint Thomas, correct.

Franklin Thomas district.

Okay, great.

Tell me, what was your reaction?

Give us your thoughts.

Or do you have a question on as far as the governor?

Seven state of the territory address?

Well, I see some of the governors are listening to them with the governor speech, and I realize how he couldn't continue to misrepresent the people.

Obviously, the people, number one, when he was ready for his second election, he had the people.

Well, so by having his supporters come out to tell them that their retirement has been fixed in my life.

That was quite a meeting.

I misrepresented them and misrepresented.

Indicators we said period of dollars that we have here.

Before I leave office for the rebuilding of the Harley Quinn damage, I know the people not getting the benefit from that money to rebuild the homes.

And the problem with the people who manage the affairs is the Annapolis office.

They had misrepresented people so badly with insurance companies coming in here, and they actually take advantage of.

The people who should have been getting insurance money, they know the people so badly.

And it was design, I believe, given the fact that when you have advertising that people will settle with insurance and then go to the contractor to get the whole fix that was misrepresented.

Well, caller, I do want to thank you for calling in.

We do have to keep the line moving.

And I'm unfortunately, you know, we've exhausted some of our time, but we had thank you for calling in and for sharing your thoughts and concerns.

Well, thank you, but I hope things get better.

And I don't see get better with this administration okay.

But thank you.

All right.

We have a caller from Saint Croix.

I'm on the line.

Good evening.

Caller.

Hi.

Yes.

Good evening.

I just want to say good night to your distinguished panelist.

The speech of the governor was nice and long.

One hour and 40 minutes.

I was not supposed to call it away.

And it was really about creating a secure future for the people of Leo.

Some key areas he attempts to stabilize the general lack of tourism.

And of course, there's some have.

But still, to get that 1525 input measure to keep things going, partnerships and investment, that seems to be the main passion of the governor, and that's good.

I would have liked to mention something about the wedding museum and repairs to that particular building, because that's there to promote the culture and history, and that's very important.

And finally, there's a ton of people who didn't pay their taxes for the last year.

And, you know, the government needs help.

So they have to always remember it's not just about the government leadership, but people in the community got to, you know, do their bit and they're all in this together.

So that's generally what I had to say.

And please continue with the discussion and we will go from there.

Thank you.

So much, Carl I appreciate it.

All right.

We have another caller from the Saint Croix District.

Could even call her.

Yes.

Good evening.

And, my thoughts are I thought the governor featured very upbeat and shared some information.

Something we heard before.

And something's new.

But as a resident on Saint Croix, I'm part of the generation.

Actually, the sandwich generation.

For a lot of us, we are struggling to deal with taking care of our parents, senior care, health care for seniors, I think is becoming a great, priority for many of us.

I'm just curious to hear I would like to hear more information around that, and I'm sure they're working on it, but I'm curious to hear from Senator Richard, who I know he used to be the chairman of the Health and Hospitals Committee.

What are his insights in terms of how the governor and the legislature can start prioritizing that?

Because it's becoming, I believe, a crisis for so many of us in the U.S.

Virgin Islands trying to make sure that we can take care of our seniors, have the support of our government so that they can experience the latter part of their life with some dignity.

All right.

Thank you so much, caller.

We'll see.

You gonna answer his question completely.

Perimeter work.

Yes they did.

I think they, And that's what I do.

And not in this panel earlier discussion, we was talking about the, the understanding about what health care, actually mean means we have, we have a crisis in the territory.

And that's one thing I could agree with.

The chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee, because when we look at the the level of primary care, I can speak in Saint Thomas and John district, but in Saint Croix, the level of primary care is, being well met by the French state health Center under the leadership of, Mrs.. Arthur is probably the first it has sent to have a, a facility in Frederick that don't have a facility in, Princess.

They have a facility, operating out of the Sunshine Mall.

And so that, primary health care is their secondary care, which is the inpatient facilities, which are people are really complaining about, being, provided by, we only have one hospital.

And so the opportunity for secondary health care is limited to the one F Louis hospital.

We do have a large number of, very limited be regulated, private practitioners because a lot of services are being provided in office.

And for those people that have sufficient insurance coverage, they have access to that.

But the majority and the masses, the people that don't have that type of insurance coverage that are limited as, so health insurance and Medicaid and Medicare, that's, that's, a crisis for them.

And then lastly, on on the topic that, he is speaking of, we have, the homes for the elderly, you, convalescent services for the lack of, a better term is something that, in most instances is, non-existent in the territory.

And I think, in the facilities that we have under the government, the government, like in Saint Thomas, the Queen Louise, a basically a custodial care services, not providing the the expansion of the of the elderly in regards to not only medical care but, human service, care, exercise, physical, mental and well-being.

So, we do have a long way to go in regards to the state of the health care.

I just think that the chairman of the community need to put his focus on how best do they work with the executive branch in getting us to that particular point?

All right.

We have another caller on the line from Saint Croix.

Good evening, caller.

Yeah.

Hi.

Good evening.

Caller.

Yeah.

Good evening.

I thought the governor said that the opening up a technical college by September.

I want to know if that fact and, better funded the next thing when the government run it.

And he said he picks the.

I had him because you put my baby at, t I kp they are still screaming and hollering and said it was up to me to beg the people and the Republican to do that, the funding.

25 so for somebody for that, for that, for me, I don't.

And I think that's basically what it did.

Yes.

She was I believe we have the graph on the line.

Good evening, Senator DeGraff.

Good evening.

How you doing please.

Thank you.

All right.

So the graph tell us, you know, what were your thoughts on the governor, governor Brian seven state of the territory address or anything?

The governor had great accomplishments that he mentioned for his administration.

President and I guess going forward to the future, so I don't have any issues in terms of what he put up.

I would have liked to have heard more information about the senior population and not just the senior who or maybe, you know, bedridden and did all of them or, you know, but the young, vibrant seniors who, you know, always put no specific services, infrastructure and events have been for them for like me.

So but, you know, I think after seven years as a governor, coming before the Senate to the people to give a state of the territory without and the wrong thing done with the Johnson walk around, what do we see garbage and see who lives?

We see overgrown brush.

The reality of things that we see every day.

I need to hear the tourism is doing well and everything like that.

But the reality is, what are we seeing?

And I mean, so that that the problem in part for me, they don't.

I hope everything goes in and out of one and one to make to it.

All right.

Well, thank you so much, Senator de Graaf, for calling in and giving us your insights.

Okay.

The hero maturity.

All right.

Now we're hearing from, you know, we just heard from Senator de Graaf, we are going to hear from a resident from the Saint Croix District.

Good evening.

Caller, and good evening, recipients.

Yes.

All right.

You what were your thoughts this evening on Governor Brian?

Seven state of the territory address?

Well, I believe that I'm listening to the governor.

He seemed to have, given me a very a general and good report of what has happened in the territory.

I'm happy to know that by the people would have been satisfied.

And my concern is that hopefully that these moneys would grow where people are located.

None of it would return to the federal government.

I was hoping that the who he was telling people about the prison because he said there is that, there seemed to be a level of crime and violence going on in Maryland.

And so I was hoping that something would be said about close enough for the criminal underworld that we have in other parts of the, the United States.

So that's one of the things I was looking at without saying anything about it.

All right.

Well, thank you so much for calling in.

We appreciate it.

You're welcome.

All righty.

All right.

So we're hearing from the residents.

I think a large theme that we're hearing is about the elderly care.

It is about health.

And, as well too.

And we heard about Greece.

We heard about retro payments as well to, you know, and I think notably, the governor did say that ultimately they're not going to be able to live up to that promise.

You know, Hugo, give me your thoughts on, on on that.

I find the whole conversation our ritual to be quite interesting.

It also reminds me of the conversation we have all the time about about tax payments and back, but back tax payments, we don't seem to get to the root cause of things.

So we we have retro because we passed on unfunded liability.

We we whether it was deserve it or not, reasons were given without funding to pay for those raises.

And then you have retro that comes as a result, people not filing taxes in a manner that gets them close to break even and leave some big sum to be returned.

Results in PiS do tax returns, and we don't educate our public and talk about how we actually deal with the root cause of things.

And I hope that we've ended the practice of unfunded liabilities and approving things to be paid without the funds to pay them, so that we don't have this liability later on.

We don't have to deal with retro payments for, for, for you or for employees or governmental workers.

And we, we, we pay because we can afford and we fund it and we pay them at the time of their service.

Jenica you know, we have we heard a lot from the callers on what they wanted to hear as well, too.

And notably, I think is something that you discussed as well too, when it comes to our health care and care for seniors.

Tell me, what are your thoughts on, you know, the the concerns that were voiced by residents calling in?

Well, I think that, and I want to specifically speak about the hospitals.

We have been having a serious issue with funding the hospitals.

They require, significant support from central government constantly and that, either, I think needs to be something that is accepted and budgeted for knowing that listen, we we're going to be subsidizing the hospitals or we need to to, to figure out a way of making them more self-sufficient.

So I think that the kind of, limbo or dance that's going on every so often, the, Schneider and one, we build up a lot of debts to vendors.

Then the, the central government steps in and helps them out, and then the debts start piling up again.

This needs to be addressed.

And it was something that, you know, Hugo was saying the root cause of the issue needs to really be investigated and, and, and sorted out.

And I think that a lot of these things that we're speaking about do we have we have we have a, we actually have a caller on the line.

Hi.

Good evening, caller.

I believe you're calling from the 11.

I'm saying calling.

Yes, I am.

Good evening.

Credit panels.

Good evening.

Good evening.

I just had a question for us.

We see within a week the climate in Washington has changed drastically.

So, President Trump, has dismantled the DEA program, which has assisted a lot on minorities and women get added up.

These needs.

Also, he's back in now as this man to mainstream.

And we're in the heart of Pink zone.

So crescent moon, we have a problem getting the at least 15, $15 billion spent.

So I, I wanted for I don't know if this question was asked because I had my phone on hold while I was waiting.

I kind of panels.

What are they?

Ties.

The effect that these different, Or what what, President Trump is doing presidency.

What is the effect you feel that is going to have on the fortune?

As with great, he wants to give the money to the state to handle Harry Kane.

Harry Kane release.

Yeah.

So do you believe we have that capacity to handle that large amount of money?

Do we see we're having a problem now?

Yes.

I hung up to pay to you.

Thank you so much, Donna.

You want to answer that question?

Sure.

So let's start with the the FEMA part of the discussion.

One of the things that we don't see in our community, we continue to talk about the slow pace of, projects.

But, many times we are not very transparent in why the piece is as slow as it is.

And I'll tell you that, the obligation process that the government has to go through to get the funding obligated through FEMA takes sometimes years.

So I don't know that the proposal to give the money to the state is such a bad idea.

I think that the state will be responsible and accountable for all of the dollars, and accountable for moving the projects faster.

If the money comes flows down to the state in a timely fashion, then the state could start the process of rebuilding of our schools.

It took forever to get those projects obligated, the rebuilding of our hospitals.

Same thing.

So now we have them obligated.

That was the next step.

If perhaps if the funds came directly to the state, we would have been further ahead.

So that's something that we need to contemplate.

And, you know, I don't know that is such a bad idea.

Okay.

Well, before we continue this discussion, we do have a caller from Saint Thomas on the line.

Good evening, caller person.

Hi.

Good evening.

Charles.

What are your thoughts on Governor Brian's State of the territory address?

Well, there are some things that I think were very concerning, that I would have liked to hear.

I think, Senator, first, Senator Gregory, could I hit on one of them with respect to the marijuana situation, you know, I personally worked on embryonic stages of trying to get that marijuana bill passed.

And it seems like, no, it is a sparse, there's no movement.

And I didn't hear the governor speak on that at all.

That was a bit concerning.

The the other thing that I was looking at is, I didn't hear a whole lot about the mental illness on the, on that on the island.

There's a lot of mental illness, and you don't have enough people, in, in a rural, ridership to take care of these people.

I'm not hearing anything in that, in that particular zone.

Another issue that has been looking at is policing.

I've been in areas where crime occurred, and the response time of the police is rather slow.

And the reason that it's slow, is that there's not enough police, if still not enough police, that is available to handle a lot of the crime that's happening on the island, from time to time.

So, these were some of the major crimes.

The other thing is, you know, you know, they talk about what happened and the improvements you know, they're making.

But when the power goes out, none of the the inhabitants of the island experiences any credit for these problems.

Which of the bill remains the same?

And I just would have liked to hear somebody because some of these things.

All right.

Well, thank you so much, Carla.

We appreciate it.

And before we continue the conversation, we do have another caller on the line.

Good evening, caller.

I believe you're calling from the island of Saint Rolling.

Yeah.

Hi.

Good evening.

Okay, so give us your thoughts on the state of the territory address this evening.

At the beginning, actually, talking about the senior services, you know, you didn't mention much about the seniors, and that's when make the war.

Well, we go wrong, and it was really impeccable.

And I'll take it from here.

Who can do a better job than him?

So he perhaps I have you.

Thank you.

My thank you, baby.

Okay, I didn't realize.

Oh, I'm sorry.

We didn't realize that.

Okay, you go study these kind of things.

You ain't doing this.

Did you guys get that?

Can I call you back?

If people are trying to say that campaign, we have another caller on the line.

Good evening, caller.

Hi.

Yes.

Good evening.

Yes.

You're calling from Saint Thomas, I believe.

Yeah.

Good evening.

And I say good evening to this distinguished panel.

And I have mixed reviews about, the governor's state of the Union, but I wanted to hear specifically on his comments about crime and the homicide rate in the territory.

And I didn't hear any appreciable, substantive response on what reaction or what actions we will take to reduce crime.

And I'm interested in the panel's response, particularly, Senator Gregory and ex-officio of the recent legislature, knowing that what we're seeing, the demographic that we're seeing, we have to intervene at the grade school, middle school, high school level.

If there's any ideas and how we can address that.

All right.

Thank you so much, caller.

Well, I think that we have to look at the challenges that we have with crime on two levels.

We have the I think you're specifically referring to what's happening with our youths.

I believe that, we have to address these challenges in our schools from our pre-kindergarten all the way to the 12th grade.

So addressing the issues there and the, the, the cognitive issues and the challenges that are our children are facing, and they have to be identified early.

And then, of course, you have the other challenge with those those young people or adults that have long graduated and the crime continues in the Virgin Islands.

I think, you know, we need to utilize our Department of Labor in a different way.

We talk about our workforce development, here in the territory.

But we need foot soldiers.

We need foot soldiers.

We need individuals going out on the street corners and having conversations with these young people about the opportunities that are here for them.

As relates to training and opportunities for jobs.

I don't think that enough is being done.

We talk about workforce development, but we sit in our offices and talk about it.

We need to get out and beat the streets so these young people, these individuals could understand that there are opportunities here in the Virgin Islands and the opportunities are here for them, but we have to go to them.

Yeah.

We have a caller on the line.

Good evening, caller.

Good evening.

Calling from the island of Saint Croix.

Okay.

Very briefly, Senator Richards.

I'd like to add some knowledge on the issue here.

Health care is not primary care.

Health care is actually our mobility versus our mortality rates.

Which no one is connected.

Our health care system is not prepared in those areas.

Primary care cannot be judged by you having a clinical visit every now and again to determine your health.

It means our resiliency in the health care field, particularly in honor Saint Croix, challenges are in our emergency room department.

Not only that is an area that we do not have the care that we need in the event of emergencies or surgeries, etc.

but I would say the speech should not shed light on what we're going through because people are having to be sent up island for basic care that should be able to be addressed in our hospital, not to mention the infrastructure of the hospital itself and what they're dealing with with the uncompensated care, not to mention the fact that they're in a facility that cannot accommodate the entire people that we need to serve.

It is a true picture, and it's scary for what we're dealing with on the inside of that building.

So you cannot say that because we have private health care, which is really clinical visit.

That's a thought they put at the health center that we are actually having the patient care about people, because I think, you know, as a statistician that mortality and morbidity determine what your health care system is like.

You know, our people are sicker.

Are we having determine how our people are dying and where they're being shipped off to and what's happening to them and how they getting the care that they need?

Yeah, we have to respond differently.

So I did not get that from the state of territory.

And I don't feel that our health care is resilient because of what I have experienced personally myself, with my family member having to be sent up, I think lifesaving measures okay, that could be done here.

Well, caller, I want to thank you so much.

We're going to be able to, we want to be able to get everyone in.

But we thank you so much for calling and giving your input and your thoughts right.

Oh, I can quickly respond.

And I'm very appreciative of the the caller that that clarity.

I think the sole point that that that I would make would be because what we were discussing was the, the health care system in the territory and the fact that health centers are community health care centers service.

And we have the Department of Health currently, I believe, particularly here in Saint Croix, somewhat fragmented by not having a stationary site that has a comprehensive approach to all of the different services.

And, and I think she touched on a point that, Simon was speaking to, which is what did that one of the thing that hospitals are suffering from is the level of uncompensated care, which cuts back on the on the revenues and the fees that they have to collect based on services rendered.

And, and we have a set ceiling by the federal government of how much money we receive back here for what is on Medicare and Medicaid services.

So, we need to make sure that we can tighten our belt in.

And I'm not going to dispute her position that the, a large number of, populace that travel off island to receive certain type of health care services, that's solely because we don't have a quality service here, but we have, limited health manpower and professionals providing the services.

And so we, we we want the services, like most things that we in a fast moving, society, we want them know all we want to get them as quickly as possible.

Yeah.

But we have another caller on the line from Saint Croix.

Good evening caller, good evening.

First I want to say, Martin, that you're doing an outstanding job with, this session.

And then the other thing I wanted to say was I listened to the entire, state of the territory address, and it feels like there's a disconnect between Governor Bryan and the kind of Governor Roach.

The reason why I said this is because there's the primary accomplishment.

We heard the governor praised the lieutenant governor's office for was pushing for building a cemetery wall.

So for me, it's like what the purpose is, Lieutenant governor, if we can't, you know, any quantifiable progress on banking improvement, lower insurance rates, Medicare and Medicaid and other economic impactful, items that are under his purview.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right.

We have one more caller on the line.

Good evening.

Caller.

Yeah.

Hi.

Good evening.

The panel will be doing a wonderful job tonight.

My quick statement.

Hurricanes in about seven, seven years ago, we got a lot of money coming to the territory.

Covid came, began a lot of money came to the territory.

As you event carry the government budget basically for about two years we had put all this $15 billion into areas.

That's not going to give any return.

When that money for work, we need to put money into areas that were, you know, I returned to take care of many of our problems.

And I'm just hearing that I'm hearing a lot of fluff in this speech for tonight.

You know, that's what the business school, this school is important.

But the schools continue to be cut into some of the problem.

15 billion, a lot of money.

And if we're not careful here, there are some of that money that we need to put the money where we're going to have a return.

After that money dries up, it will try to.

That's what I have to say.

All right.

Thank you so much.

All right.

Now, you know, we heard a lot from our residents.

Get I wanted to go to you first.

You were.

You were closing on a point.

I know we've continued and everything.

And, you know, we've heard from the residents, you know, talking about health care, talking about and and that really, I think has been the resounding, you know, theme that we've heard this evening from a lot of the callers is health care.

Speak to me.

You know, something that struck me was that a lot of the issues that have been discussed this evening all have a common denominator.

You see, you made mention of the lack of practitioners in our health care system to provide the services that make people go off island.

People going off island for health care means that the hospitals and health care providers do not get that revenue.

So it's it's a it's a it's a cyclical issue.

So the lack of manpower, we lost, the services of profit and those, practitioners have not been replaced largely.

So there's a huge deficit in terms of health care workers, construction infrastructure, another huge deficit of workers there to actually, you know, be doing several major projects at the same time.

There's just not the capacity to do that.

So I think that a lot of the, the, the, the frictions that we're, that we're seeing and, you know, a lot of the systems here in the VA, can be traced down to, you know, and it's a again, I said, I think I said it before a chicken and egg.

We don't have the money to pay for the hiring.

We have the lack of, of, of, of labor, which means that our money is not coming in as it should be now.

I mean, there are two former legislators on the panel, so maybe I should not be the one discussing that.

You know, complex issue.

But how does it begin to unravel, you know, where do we start pulling the threads to get that?

Not kind of, you know, sorted in a way that we can clearly see a pathway forward, it seems to me.

And again, I don't have administrative experience.

But this is a real serious issue.

Yeah.

Where do we start?

And I think that's the question, you know, where do we start?

Growing one right on the first floor, I guess, before my would God's person let me, I thought, I want one call out that, call it ask about credit when the power's out.

Right.

Power is of immediate service.

Right.

So when the power's out, the meter doesn't spin.

Not supposed.

So that's can be when it's out.

So there's no you can't get it critical.

You're not built for the time when it's out.

And I think I think I think we need to have more conversations with the public because when, when you listen to the public, they're, they're frustrated.

They're they're dealing with the pains of life, the pains of an aging population and, and the, the concerns about health care.

And they're not getting a chance to have, like, open conversation and dialog about what their concerns are and how they will be met.

So we need to have more dialog and more understanding of what the needs of the community are, and get them on.

And standing up for what's being done on their behalf to get them, what they desire and what they need for their families.

Okay.

Yeah.

Very quickly.

I really think, we have to assess our financial health, and that should have been definitely in our discussion in the in the state of the territory discussion this evening.

You know, the governor touted the fact that, you know, we were seeing a boost in our tourism industry.

However, we're not seeing it in our revenues.

We're not seeing it in our income taxes.

We're not seeing it in our gross receipts.

He shared that our, unemployment rates are down.

We're not seeing that in our income taxes.

So we need an an assessment of exactly what's happening that's happening in the territory in the in the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

What's what's really going on?

Are we looking at how these businesses are paying the taxes?

Is there legislation that was passed that's impacting, the ability to collect taxes?

The the gross receipts, taxes in a timely fashion?

And I'm, I'm aware of some legislation that, you know, that that we've passed that may have, may or may be impacting that.

So these things need to be revisited.

We have to look at the bread and butter issues that we have here in the territory.

In order for us to move forward and to address many of the challenges that we talked about this evening, many of the challenges that we heard this evening here go you look at kitchen, but we do have to I do have to to we're going to carry this.

And that's what I was trying for our sales tax.

So I know you see a subject matter has been discussed for more than 20 years.

I'm going to be quick, brief and to the point and, and just one of the issues raised by, a caller earlier that we didn't get a chance to, to address was the subject matter raised by the governor with this, Virgin Islands Technical College and before we went to listen to the state territory, it just we just we discussed amongst ourselves that we really have a workforce issue.

Yes.

And we have these lot of projects.

And, just to hear the governor mentioned, that intent, what strikes me most is that, how we've been able to keep up the role of the career and technical school at the complex they used to had, I don't remember.

Is that, the, the weekly scores call those by a weekly school center that's still operational by Charlie Murray High School.

I mean, what is the relationship of us tying these things together to meet the demand for certain skilled workers in the community so that we can have our young people guided and geared towards a profession with the skill that they could contribute to some of the things that we need done in our community.

And I think this is, a real concern for me.

No problem with the college, but how do you utilize the existing facility and resources?

So, if I could just add quality to that.

I, I wrote a report in August of last year when they announced the, coming online of this technical college.

And, this was during a meeting of the career and Technical Education Board.

We had, Doctor Monique Faulkner saying that the Raphael or Wheatley Skills Center would serve as the foundation for the college.

So, what?

And and this is now.

Okay, that was my reporting.

And now this is my analysis.

What I'm taking from that is that it's going to be an expansion somewhat of the offerings of Raphael Wheatley.

So there may not necessarily be two separate institutions, but there may just be, a bigger, entity that, that, that provides, that kind of education.

So, but I think that it is very important when you're making progress and development that you are streamlining and that you are coordinating with what is already in existence.

So that's just from the reporting that I did last, last August.

Okay.

You know, I'm being told that we do have a minutes for you to scratch that itch.

As far as the sale tax question that you proposed, I'm just saying we seem that we have a point of sale issue.

Right.

So if the gross receipts aren't being collected, which I think is one of the most horrendous things ever, the way it functions, it continues.

If I give you $100,000 and you pay gross receipts and you give an area of it, she pays it again, she gives me some, I pay it again.

It continues forever.

Whatever the point of sale, sales tax, where you start to get at the point of sale, sales tax collected, everyone pays even undocumented people pay sales tax because when they everybody just it's not there's no avoiding a sales tax as there is whatever the road system.

So maybe that's the answer to getting the taxes collected as it need to be done.

Well, I would love for us to follow up on this conversation because when I when I became senator first in 2019, I move legislation for a tax study commission.

And to date, the Tax Study Commission has not been implemented.

The the governor has not sent the one person to serve on the tax Study Commission.

So, our, tax structure in the Virgin Islands does need to be revisited.

Absolutely.

We'll see.

Input on your thoughts on that.

I'm being nice.

And I would like, like for a vote of the proponents.

So to remember, this is a discussion we've been having over the, the past 30 years, but I think, the, the former director of, IAB, Mr.

Willis has come before the legislature making this presentation about having, sales tax.

So it's a very interesting issue and something that I wouldn't want to opine without having sufficient time for us to weigh both sides of the coin.

All right.

Well, you know, it's been a pleasure sharing this evening with our panel here in the studio and with you, our viewers, the viewers at home and abroad, on behalf of all of us here at TJX, I'm Marcelina Ventura Douglas, have a good night.

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