>>> ON THIS EPISODE OF COMES WITH THE TERRITORY, CIVIL RIGHTS ADVOCATES ARE URGING THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO CONDEMN CASES.

WE´LL GO ONE-ON-ONE WITH LOCAL ATTORNEY, PAMELA CLONE, CHAIR OF THE FIRST ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE U.S. COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS FOR INSIGHTS ON THIS CRUCIAL MOVEMENT.

>> UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

>> THE VIRGIN ISLANDS CASINO CONTROL COMMISSION RECENTLY APPROVED AN INITIAL LICENSE FOR BIGL OPERATIONS.

A KEY COMPONENT IN REVIVING HORSE RACING ON THE BIG ISLAND.

WE´LL HAVE THE DETAILS.

>> BRINGS TO THIS ROLE A WELCOME EXPERIENCE.

>> EXPERIENCE VIRGIN ISLANDS DEFENSE ATTORNEY AND FORMER FEDERAL PROSECUTOR IS THE GOVERNOR´S PICK FOR NEXT ATTORNEY GENERAL.

WE´LL HAVE MORE, PLUS -- >> I AM DECLARING A LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY TO RESTORE ENERGY SECURITY IN THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> THE LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY TO AN EMERGENCY LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THE GOVERNMENT AND LAWMAKERS TOOK ACTION THIS WEEK TO ADDRESS THE FINANCIAL CRISIS FACING THAT CULMINATED RECENTLY IN ST. CROIX.

WE´LL HAVE THE DETAILS.

>>> AND LATER.

THIS WEEK´S PANEL JOINS THE CONVERSATION TO ANALYZE THESE ISSUES AND MORE.

COMES WITH THE TERRITORY STARTS NOW.

>>> WELCOME TO COMES WITH THE TERRITORY.

WE BEGIN WITH A DETAILED LOOK AT RECENT ADVOCACY EFFORTS TO OVERTURN THE INSULAR CASES.

DECISIONS THAT HAVE SHAPED THE RIGHTS OF MILLIONS LIVING IN U.S.

TERRITORIES INCLUDING THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, FOR OVER A CENTURY.

HERE´S MORE.

>> IN 2024, NO ONE SHOULD USE THE RACIST LANGUAGES FROM THE INSULAR CASES TO DENY CITIZENSHIP RIGHTS TO PEOPLE BORN IN U.S.

TERRITORIES.

>> VIRGIN ISLANDS DELEGATES AT CONGRESS STACY PLASKET JOINED ALLIES RECENTLY TO URGE THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO OFFICIALLY DENOUNCE THE INSULAR CASES.

THESE ARE A SERIES OF SUPREME COURT DECISIONS FROM THE EARLY 1900s THAT HAVE HISTORICALLY DESCRIBED RESIDENTS OF U.S.

TERRITORIES AS ALIEN RACES AND UNEQUAL TREATMENT.

SHE AND OTHER MEMBERS OF CONGRESS INCLUDING MORE THAN 40 HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS ISSUED A LETTER ON APRIL 15th TO ATTORNEY GENERAL MERRICK GARLAND CRITICIZING THE -- THEY ARGUED IT UNDERMINES THE DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES OF THE UNITED STATES BY DENYING TERRITORIAL RESIDENCE A VOICE IN THEIR GOVERNMENT.

>> WE ARE ALL CALLING ON THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TO BRIDGE THE CAGE ON INSULAR CASES.

TEAR DOWN THIS FOUNDATION.

>> PAMELA COLOGNE, CHAIR OF THE FIRST ADVISORY TO THE COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS, RECENTLY PRESENTED THE COMMITTEE´S INAUGURAL REPORT DETAILING CIVIL RIGHTS IMPLICATIONS OF THE LEGAL AND POLITICAL STATUS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> THE COMMITTEE FOUND THAT THIS SYSTEM IS IN ACTUALITY, THE SYSTEM OF APARTHEID.

THAT THE UNITED STATES HAS IMPOSED ON ITS TERRITORIES.

DESPITE US BEING THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE.

>> JOINING THE SHOW FROM OUR STUDIO IS PAMELA, WHO AS YOU JUST SAW, HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF ADVOCATING FOR CIVIL RIGHTS AND EQUALITY FOR RESIDENTS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

YOU SPOKE AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE OUTSIDE THE CAPITOL CALLING FOR THE DENOUNCEMENT OF INSULAR CASES.

WHY IS THIS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS?

>> I DID COME TO THE PRESS CONFERENCE.

I SPOKE AT THAT PRESS CONFERENCE AND I HAVE TO LET YOU KNOW I´M SPEAKING HERE TONIGHT IN MY INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY.

ALTHOUGH I AM THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE UNITED STATES ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

THE REASON THE INSULAR CASES ARE SO ANTAGONISTIC TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND ALL THE TERRITORIES IS BECAUSE THEY ARE RACE BASED AND THEY CREATED A LEGAL FICTION CALLED THE UNINCORPORATED TERRITORIES.

AND EVERYTHING THAT HAS OCCURRED BOTH POLITICAL AND LEGALLY IN ALL OF THE U.S.

TERRITORIES SINCE THOSE CASES CAME INTO EXISTENCE 120 YEARS AGO, HAS USED THAT AS A FOUNDATION TO WHY IT IS PERMISSIBLE TO TREAT US AS SECOND CLASS CITIZENS IN THE TERRITORY.

>>.

>> WE´RE GOING TO GET TO THAT CREATIVE FICTION BECAUSE THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST FASCINATING PARTS OF THE NINE CASES THAT TOOK PLACE AT OUR GROUP TOGETHER AS THE INSULAR CASES, BUT LET´S TALK OBJECTIVES OF THE LETTER TO GARLAND CRITICIZING THE DEFENSE OF THE INSULAR CASES.

WE KNOW IT´S NOT JUST BEEN UNDER THIS DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, BUT ALSO THE OBAMA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WHERE THEY HAVE ADAMANTLY DEFENDED THE RESULTS OF THE INSULAR CASES.

>> THAT´S VERY TRUE.

IT SEEMS TO BE A BIPARTISAN ISSUE THAT NO ONE WANTS TO DENOUNCE THE INSULAR CASES.

AND IT IS VITAL THAT OCCURS.

SO WE WERE EXTREMELY ENCOURAGED BY THE PARTICIPATION OF SO MANY SENATORS AND CONGRESSPERSONS IN SIGNING ON TO THIS LETTER, REQUESTING IT TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FINALLY DENOUNCE THESE CASES AS THE BASIS FOR THEIR ARGUMENTS WHEN THEY MAKE ARGUMENTS BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT IN SUPPORT OF ISSUES AFFECTING THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF PERSONS LIVING IN THE TERRITORY.

THESE CASES TO BE SURE, JUST BECAUSE THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE DENOUNCES THE CASES DOESN´T MEAN THERE WILL BE AN AUTOMATIC EFFECTIVE CHANGE IN EITHER THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND ITS TERRITORIES OR THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF THOSE LIVING IN THE TERRITORIES.

BUT IT IS A FIRST STEP AND IT´S AN IMPORTANT STEP BECAUSE WE CANNOT SEEM TO GET PAST EVERY ADMINISTRATION FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS AT LEAST, STILL RELYING ON THESE RACE-BASED CASES AND THEIR ARGUMENTS BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT AND THE VERY IMPORTANT CASES THAT AFFECT OUR RIGHTS HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> WELL, LET´S TALK ABOUT THE RACISM THAT IS INHERENT.

THE LANGUAGE THAT IS INHERENT IN SOME OF THE RULINGS.

CIVILIZED INDIVIDUALS, FROM SUPREME COURT JUSTICES, WHICH IS AMAZING TO BELIEVE, BUT WE KNOW WHAT THE HISTORY OF THIS COUNTRY IS.

YOU WOULD ALMOST THINK IN 2024, THERE WOULD BE SHAME BY OUR GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE TO PERPETUATE THE LAW THAT IS INVOLVED.

LIKE YOU JUST MENTIONED, THE FICTIONAL INCORPORATED VERSUS UNINCORPORATED TERRITORIAL STATUS IS THAT WE´RE CREATED AS A RESULT OF THESE RULES.

WHY DO YOU THINK THAT THE UNITED STATES CONTINUES TO PERPETUATE THIS LEGALIZED COLONIALISM?

>> THAT IS SUCH AN INTERESTING QUESTION AND I´VE GIVEN IT A LOT OF THOUGHT.

I BELIEVE THAT IT´S LIKELY THAT THEY, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WISHES TO CONTINUE CONTROL.

I CAN GIVE YOU EXAMPLES.

FOR INSTANCE, THE MILITARY INSTALLATIONS IN GUAM OR WHAT HAPPENED IN PUERTO RICO.

IF THE TERRITORIES HAD MORE SAY IN CONTROLLING THEIR OWN SOVEREIGN LAND AS THEY WOULD IF THEY WERE A STATE, FOR EXAMPLE, IT WOULD BE MUCH MORE DIFFICULT FOR THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO COME IN AND JUST IMPOSE THEIR WILL IN REGARDS TO THINGS LIKE MILITARY INSTALLATIONS.

WHICH ISN´T TO SAY THEY´RE NOT IMPORTANT PARTS OF THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES, BUT NONETHELESS, THE TERRITORIES REALLY HAVE NO SAY.

FOR INSTANCE, IN GUAM, I BELIEVE 40% OF GUAM IS NOW OCCUPIED BY U.S. MILITARY INSTALLATIONS.

YES, THEY CONSIDER THEMSELVES THE TIP OF THE SPHERE THERE, BUT EVEN HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS BACK IN WORLD WAR II, THERE WAS A SUBMARINE BASE IN ST. THOMAS AND IT WAS VITAL, BUT I BELIEVE THAT IN PART THAT´S WHY THE UNITED STATES WISHES TO CONTINUE TO CONTROL THESE TERRITORIES WITHOUT GIVING US A PRESSURE OF SELF-DETERMINATION.

>> WELL, IT´S INTERESTING THAT YOU SAY THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN OFFERED THE OPPORTUNITY TO SELF-DETERMINE WITH POLITICAL REFERENDUM AND WE HAVE THESE CHOICES THAT HAVE BEEN PUT BEFORE US, I THINK THE LAST WAS IN 1992 TO BE EXACT, AND WE DIDN´T HAVE HIGH PARTICIPATION.

PUERTO RICO HAS HAD SEVERAL OF THESE AND THEY HAVE NOT COME DOWN WITH A SOLID CHOICE AS A TERRITORY IN TERMS OF WHAT DIRECTION.

IT´S ALMOST SPLIT A THIRD, A THIRD AND A THIRD.

AND IN REALITY, THE INCORPORATED STATUS HAS ONLY BEEN GIVEN, UNINCORPORATED, EXCUSE ME, TO HAWAII AND ALASKA THAT HAVE BEEN ADMITTED TO THE UNITED STATES.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE FUTURE OF POLITICAL STATUS FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, DO WE REALLY HAVE THE ABILITY TO CHOOSE THE DIRECTION THAT WE WANT TO GO IN POLITICALLY AS A TERRITORY?

>> 1992 IS THE YEAR I MOVED TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THE VERY FIRST THING I DID WAS REGISTER TO VOTE AND I ACTUALLY PARTICIPATED IN THAT REFERENDUM.

I BELIEVE ONLY 29% OF THE REGISTERED VOTERS OR ELIGIBLE VOTERS VOTED IN THE REFERENDUM AND IT COULD NOT MOVE FORWARD BECAUSE 50% WAS REQUIRED.

IT WAS AT THAT SAME TIME THAT I LEARNED TO MY SHOCK AND AMAZEMENT THAT BY SIMPLY MOVING TO U.S.

SOIL, I HAD LOST MY RIGHT TO VOTE FOR PRESIDENT AND TO HAVE ANY SORT OF VOTING REPRESENTATION IN THE U.S. CONGRESS.

SO THAT´S A REALLY PIVOTAL POINT FOR ME.

I WILL TELL YOU THAT THE COMMITTEE HAS ADDRESSED THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, HAS ADDRESSED SOME OF THESE ISSUES IN OUR REPORT AND WE LOOK TO THE UNITED NATIONS CHARTER, WHICH REQUIRES THE UNITED STATES WHO LISTED THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS AS A NON GOVERNING ENTITY OR TERRITORY, THE CHARTER THE U.N.

REQUIRES THAT THE UNITED STATES BRING THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS TO FULL MEASUREMENT OF SELF-GOVERNMENT.

I DO AGREE YOU THAT´S A CHALLENGING THING TO DO.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS RECOMMENDED TO THE UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS IS THAT THERE BE A EFFORT TO EDUCATE THOSE WITHIN THE TERRITORY WHO WOULD BE ELIGIBLE TO MAKE A DECISION ON SUCH A REFERENDUM WITH REGARD TO WHAT OUR POLITICAL STATUS IS WITH THE UNITED STATES.

WHAT THE RELATIONSHIP IS AND WHAT THE POSSIBLE CHOICES OF STATUS COULD BE AND THE RAMIFICATIONS BOTH POLITICAL, SOCIAL, AND ECONOMIC OF EACH OF THOSE CHOICES.

THE COMMITTEE ITSELF DID NOT DELVE INTO WHAT WOULD BE THE BEST SELECTION BUT WHAT WE HAVE ASKED IS THAT WE BE PROVIDED WITH FROM THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT INSULAR AFFAIRS DIVISION, THE OPPORTUNITY TO EDUCATE THOSE HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SO THAT WE CAN MAKE A SELF-GOVERNANCE DETERMINATION THAT IS BASED ON KNOWLEDGE AND INFORMATION AND NOT SIMPLY BASED ON BELIEFS THAT HAVE NO BASIS IN FACT OR LAW.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THERE IS A BILL CURRENTLY BEING FORMATTED IN THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS LEGISLATURE FOR ANOTHER REFERENDUM IN 2027.

I WAS VERY HAPPY TO HEAR ABOUT THAT AND I WOULD LOVE FOR THE EDUCATIONAL COMPONENTS THE COMMITTEE REQUESTED FROM THE U.S. COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS TO COINCIDE WITH THAT REFERENDUM.

>> MOVING TO YOUR ROLE AS CHAIR OF THE FIRST VIRGIN ISLANDS ADVISORY COMMITTEE, LET´S TALK ABOUT THE AIMS OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

WHAT ARE THE PRIMARY GOALS THAT THE COMMITTEE IS TRYING TO ACHIEVE?

>> THE U.S. ADMINISTRATION ON CIVIL RIGHTS WAS CREATED IN 1957.

IT ISSUED ITS FIRST REPORT IN 1959.

AT THAT TIME, THERE WERE 51 WHAT THEY CALL STATES ADVISORY COMMITTEES TO THE COMMISSIONS THAT ACCOUNTED FOR ALL 50 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

IT WAS NOT UNTIL 2021 WHERE SENATOR HENRY FILED LEGISLATION, SHE WAS A COSPONSOR, THAT PERMITTED AND REQUIRED ACTUALLY, MORE THAN PERMITTED, BUT REQUIRED THAT THERE BE ADVISORY COMMITTEES TO THE COMMISSION FROM EACH OF THE TERRITORIES.

EACH OF THE FIVE TERRITORIES.

AT THAT TIME, THAT LEGISLATION WAS PASSED AND THERE WAS EXTRA FUNDING PERMITTED TO THE COMMISSION SO THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT AND FORM OF THE COMMITTEES COULD OCCUR.

SO THESE COMMITTEES ARE BRAND-NEW.

THE COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS WERE MADE IN JULY OF 2022 AND WE HAVE A FOUR-YEAR TERM.

SO WE ARE ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF INTO OUR FIRST TERM.

ALMOST TWO YEARS IN.

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THESE COMMITTEES IS REPORT BACK IN THE UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS ABOUT CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUES IN OUR PARTICULAR JURISDICTION.

OF COURSE HERE IN THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS AND IT IS OUR MISSION TO ADVISE THE COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUES THAT ARE IN THE TERRITORY SO THAT THE COMMISSION CAN FORWARD THEIR FINDINGS ON TO CONGRESS AND ACTIONS CAN BE TAKEN SO THESE ISSUES CAN BE ADDRESSED.

SO WE ARE TRULY AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

THAT´S WHAT WE DO.

THAT´S WHAT OUR ROLE IS.

WE ARE REQUESTED TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS AND WE CONTINUE TO DO SO IN OUR REPORT.

>> TELL US ABOUT RECOMMEND DAYS IN THE REPORT.

>> YOU KNOW, THE COMMITTEES ARE PERMITTED TO SELECT WHAT TOPIC THEY WISH TO DISCUSS AND OUR COMMITTEE HAD DECIDED THERE WERE MANY ISSUES THAT WE COULD HAVE BROUGHT FORWARD AS EVERYONE WHO THIS YEAR WAS BORN AND RAISED HERE IS AWARE OF.

THERE ARE VOTING RIGHTS ISSUES.

THERE ARE THE INSULAR CASES.

THERE ARE CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUES WITH REGARD TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS HERE IN THE TERRITORY.

CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUES WITH REGARD TO ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER.

OUR COMMITTEE DECIDED WE NEEDED TO TAKE A 30,000 FOOT OVERVIEW SO WE COULD PUT INTO CONTEXT WHAT THE ACTUAL STATUS OF CIVIL RIGHTS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS CURRENTLY AND THAT THAT COULD ONLY BE TRULY APPRECIATED IF YOU HAD HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW WE CAME TO WHERE WE ARE NOW.

WE DID ARRIVE AT A NUMBER OF FINDINGS.

A NUMBER OF KEY CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO LEARN FROM FOUR VERY, VERY QUALIFIED AND PERSON IN HIGH REGARD IN THEIR EXPERTISE WHO SPOKE TO US IN BRIEFINGS IN THEIR COMMITTEE AND THEY FOUND WHAT THEY RELAYED TO US AND HOW WE BECAME INFORMED THROUGH THEIR PRESENTATION.

WE DETERMINED THE FOLLOWING FINDINGS.

FIRST, THE LACK OF SELF-DETERMINATION OF AMERICAN CITIZENS LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS RAISES CONSTITUTIONAL, INTERNATIONAL, AND HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERNS.

SECOND, THE INTERNATIONAL LAW REQUIREMENTS AS MANDATED BY THE UNITED NATIONS TREATY REQUIRES THE UNITED STATES AS I SAID EARLIER, TO BRING THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS TO FULL MEASURE OF SELF-GOVERNMENT.

THIRD, THE THREE POLITICAL SOLUTIONS ARE A, INDEPENDENCE, B, INCORPORATION, AND C, FREE ASSOCIATION.

THE GENERAL POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES MAY LACK AWARENESS OF THE POLITICAL STATUS OF THE U.S. CITIZENS LIVING IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

SOMETIMES THEY DON´T EVEN REALIZE WE ARE U.S. CITIZENS.

>> YEAH.

>> AND FINALLY, THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR HAS AN OBLIGATION TO INFORM THE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE AND THE ROLE WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE UNITED STATES POLITICAL SYSTEM AND THAT´S WHAT I WAS REFERRING TO BEFORE.

WE SEEK TO ENHANCE, CREATE ENHANCE AN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SO THAT CITIZENS LIVING HERE, BORN HERE, RAISED HERE, HAVING GENERATIONS OF FAMILY HERE, UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT OUR RELATIONSHIP IS WITH THE UNITED STATES AND ALSO WHAT OUR POTENTIAL OPTIONS ARE.

WE ALSO BASED ON THOSE FINDINGS, CAME TO A NUMBER OF KEY CONCLUSIONS AND THESE WERE THE PRIMARY FOCUS OF THE REPORT.

FIRST, THE CITIZENS IN THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS LACK THE DETERMINATION AND QUALITY PROTECTIONS GUARANTEED BY THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION THAT OTHER CITIZENS ENJOY.

IN ESSENCE, WE´RE A SECOND CLASS CITIZEN.

>> YES.

>> WE ARE A SECOND TIER CITIZENSHIP.

>> YEP.

>> THE INTERNATIONAL LAW REQUIREMENTS AS I STATED EARLIER AS MANDATED BY THE UNITED NATIONS TREATY REQUIRES THAT THE UNITED STATES BRINGS TO FULL MEASURE OF SELF-GOVERNMENT THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS AND THREE, MORE BROADLY, THE MILLIONS.

THERE ARE 3.6 MILLION PEOPLE LIVING IN THE TERRITORIES COMBINED.

>> YES.

>> THE MILLIONS OF UNITED STATES CITIZENS LIVING IN THE TERRITORIES SHARE THE FOLLOWING.

NONE CAN VOTE FOR PRESIDENT.

NONE ARE REPRESENTED BY VOTING MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.

NONE CAN EFFECTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN SELF-DETERMINATION AT ANY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING LOCAL LEVEL, AND EACH HAS A LOWER STATUS OF CITIZENSHIP COMPARED TO THE CITIZENS LIVING IN THE STATES.

>> LET ME ASK YOU THIS.

WHAT IS NEXT FOR THE MAY MEETING OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, VERY BRIEFLY?

>> WE ARE SCHEDULING OUR NEXT MEETING HOPEFULLY THE WEEK OF MAY 20th.

THESE MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

THEY ARE POSTED ON THE FEDERAL REGISTER.

WE ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO COME AND LISTEN.

THERE ARE TIMES FOR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC AT THE END OF OUR BUSINESS MEETING AND THIS PARTICULAR MEETING, I WILL JUST BE COMING BACK TO REPORT ON THE RECEPTION I RECEIVED FROM THE COMMISSION, WHICH WAS VERY POSITIVE.

AND WE WILL BE DISCUSSING WHAT STEPS WE WILL TAKE NEXT AND WHAT TOPICS WE WILL PURSUE NEXT.

PERSONALLY, THIS IS JUST MY OPINION AS ONE INDIVIDUAL MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US WORK COLLECTIVELY WITH THE VIRGIN ISLANDS LEGISLATURE ON THE REFERENDUM SO THAT WE CAN GET PROGRAMS IN PLACE THAT WILL HELP EDUCATE EVERYBODY.

THAT MOVING FORWARD TO MAKE APPROPRIATE DECISIONS THAT ARE NOW IN PLACE ABOUT OUR STATUS AND CIVIL RIGHTS.

>> I APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU´RE DOING.

THIS WORK AND WORK ON POLITICAL STATUS, MY THESIS IN COLLEGE WAS ALL ABOUT POLITICAL STATUSES.

THIS IS WHEN I BECAME ENAMORED.

SO THANK YOU YOU AND THE COMMITTEE FOR ALL YOU´RE DOING.

>>> UP NEXT, WE´LL HEAR FROM THIS WEEK´S PANEL, BUT FIRST, LET´S LOOK AT THE TOPICS UP FOR DISCUSSION.

>> FORWARD TODAY -- AND THEY´RE OFF AND RUNNING.

>> THAT VISION IS ONE STEP CLOSER TO REALITY FOLLOWING THE CASINO CONTROL COMMISSION´S RECENT UNANIMOUS APPROVAL OF A ONE-YEAR INITIAL CASINO LICENSE FOR VITL OPERATIONS.

THE LICENSE ENABLES VIGL TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTING A NEW CASINO AT THE RANDALL DOCK RACETRACK, A KEY COMPONENT TO BRINGING HORSE RACING BACK TO THE BIG ISLAND.

>> THIS IS A VERY HAPPY DAY FOR ALL OF US SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> A LICENSE TO OPERATE A CASINO WAS THE LAST ITEM THEY NEEDED TO BEGIN BUILDING A 15,000 SQUARE FOOT CASINO WITH A BAR AND RESTAURANT, AS WELL AS OFF TRACK BETTING AT THE ST. CROIX HORSE TRACK.

SINCE IT WILL SERVE AS THE PRIMARY REVENUE SOURCE TO SUSTAIN RACING OPERATIONS, THE SUCCESS OF THE ENTIRE $20 MILLION RACETRACK PROJECT HINGED ON THE CASINO COMMISSION´S APPROVAL OF THE LICENSE.

APPROVAL CAME AFTER AN EXHAUSTIVE EIGHT-MONTH VETTING PROCESS BY THE CASINO VETTING COMMISSION AND ITS CONSULTANTS INCLUDING THOROUGH BACKGROUND CHECKS AND INTERVIEWS WITH VIGL ASSOCIATES ACCORDING TO THE COMMISSION CHAIRMAN, MARVIN PICKERING, WHO EMPHASIZED THE RIGOROUS NATURE OF THE INVESTIGATION.

>> THIS IS NO SMALL FEAT.

THIS IS NOT AKIN TO A CREDIT CARD APPLICATION WHERE THE APPLICATION IS SUBMITTED AND THE CHECK IS DONE AND VIOLA, A LICENSE IS ISSUED.

IT IS MUCH MORE INTENSE AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THIS TYPE OF INTENSE VETTING IS REQUIRED BY LAW.

>> WITH THE VETTING PROCESS BEHIND THEM AND THE INITIAL CASINO LICENSE SECURED, VIGL´S ANDREW DEBUK SAID HE IS PREPARED TO START CONSTRUCTION ONCE HE RECEIVES A RESOLUTION.

HE SAID HE EXPECTS THE FIRST HORSE RACES TO COINCIDE WITH THE CASINO´S COMPLETION, AIMING TO FINISH WITHIN A YEAR.

>> IT IS WITH GREAT PLEASURE AND CONFIDENCE THAT I NOMINATE ATTORNEY GORDON RAY TO SERVE AS THE NEXT ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> AT AN APRIL 22nd PRESS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCING HIS NOMINATION AT THE NEXT ATTORNEY GENERAL, GORDON REYES SAID HE IS MADE FOR THE JOB.

>> I´VE GOT QUITE A BACKGROUND IN PROSECUTION, IN CIVIL MATTERS, IN APPELLATE MATTERS.

AND SO I FEEL LIKE I WAS ALMOST MADE FOR THIS JOB.

AND I ALSO HAVE A DEEP LOVE FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

I WAS FIRST HERE IN 1968 ON ST. CROIX WITH THE U.S. PEACE CORP. >> HE STARTED HIS LEGAL CAREER DEFENDING COMPLEX CRIMINAL CASES IN LOS ANGELES THEN WORKED AS A SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE CHIEF COUNSEL OF THE CHIEF SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

HE LATER PROSECUTED HUNDREDS OF CRIMINAL CASES AS AN ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEY IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AND SUBSEQUENTLY TOOK ON THE ROLE OF ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEY IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WHERE HE PROSECUTED MAJOR FELONIES.

>> HE BRINGS TO THIS ROLE A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE.

AND A PROVEN RECORD OF SERVICE AND LEGAL ACUMEN THAT IS UNPARALLELED.

>> THE NOMINATION FOLLOWS THE RESIGNATION OF ARIEL SMITH AFTER EIGHT MONTHS IN THE ROLE.

SMITH WAS APPOINTED AFTER BRIAN TERMINATED ATTORNEY GENERAL GEORGE IN DECEMBER 2022.

SHORTLY AFTER THE DOJ SUED JPMORGAN CHASE AMID ALLEGATIONS RELATED TO JEFFREY EPSTEIN.

ALTHOUGH THE TWO ATTORNEY GENERALS LEFT UNDER BRIAN, HE TOLD WTJX HE HAS NOT DISCUSSED THEIR DEPARTURES.

>> I´M LOOKING FORWARD TO HELPING HONE THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AND MAKING IT A DEPARTMENT THAT WILL BE DOING EXACTLY WHAT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WANTS AND NEEDS.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

VERY MUCH APPRECIATE IT.

>> THE TIME FOR TALK IS OVER AND THE TIME FOR ACTION IS IMMINENT.

>> GOVERNOR BRIAN TOOK ACTION AT ANOTHER APRIL 22nd PRESS CONFERENCE BY DECLARING A LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY.

>> TO RESTORE ENERGY SECURITY IN THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS, RESOLVE THE PAST TWO PAYMENTS OF GOVERNMENT INSTRUMENTALITIES AND RECTIFY THE CURRENT CONDITIONS THAT HAVE RESULTED IN ROTATIONAL OUTAGES AND LOSS GENERATING CAPACITY.

>> BRIAN SAID THE RECENT RULING ON ST. CROIX HAPPENED BECAUSE THE COMPANY THAT LEASES GENERATORS TO WAFA SHUT THE AGENCY OFF DUE TO NONPAYMENT.

>> IT´S UNCONSCIONABLE THAT WE HAVE THE POWER OFF IN ST. CROIX BECAUSE THE BILLS HAVE NOT BEEN PAID.

AND THE BILLS HAVE NOT BEEN PAID BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ARE NOT PAYING THEIR BILLS.

I COULD NOT ALLOW IT TO HAPPEN.

>> BRIAN HIGHLIGHTED THREE SEMIAUTONOMOUS AGENCIES THAT HAD CONSISTENTLY ACCUMULATED BILLS WITH THE UTILITY.

>> AS OF THIS WEEK, THOSE SAME THREE ENTITIES, JFL, SCHNEIDER REGIONAL, AND WASTE MANAGEMENT OWE OVER $11 MILLION.

THEY´RE ONCE AGAIN RACKING UP BECAUSE SEVERAL OUTSTANDING OBLIGATIONS TO WAFA WITHOUT ANY MEANINGFUL CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW THEY WILL ADDRESS THESE.

>> THE GOVERNOR´S STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARATION ENABLED HIM TO BYPASS THE SENATE´S APPROPRIATION PROCESS AND DIRECTLY ACCESS THE BUDGET STABILIZATION FUND TO PAY.

HE SAID HE WAS MAKING A NEXT DAY PAYMENT OF 2.3 MILLION AND TAKING OTHER STEPS AS WELL.

>> I WANTED TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTIONS TO ENSURE THEY ARE ONCE AGAIN PAID IN FULL THERE BY PROVIDING WAFW A CASH LIQUIDITY AND KEEPING THE ENTIRE CURRENT ON ITS UTILITY BILLS.

THIS ISN´T A SUBSIDY.

THIS IS NOW ABOUT PAYING OUR BILLS IN A TIMELY FASHION.

>> AT A PRESS CONFERENCE THE NEXT DAY, LAWMAKERS CRITICIZED THE GOVERNOR FOR EXCLUDING THEM FROM THE PROCESS.

>> WE HAVE TO PUMP THE BRAKES ON THE GOVERNOR.

>> ANY DECISION TO PAY USING GENERAL FUNDS OF THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SHOULD BE A PART OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

>> ALL THE ANALYZED THIS RADIO SHOW WEDNESDAY MORNING, THE GOVERNOR RESPONDED BY OUTLINING THE CODE AS A LEGAL BASIS FOR HIS ACTIONS.

>> THE CODE SAYS CLEARLY, THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, WHETHER THREAT OF EMERGENCY OR UNDER EMERGENCY OR DISASTER MAY USE ALL RESOURCES MAY DECLARE AN EMERGENCY, DECLARE MARTIAL LAW.

IT´S RIGHT THERE IN THE CODE.

ONCE THE STATE OF EMERGENCY IS DECLARED, I CAN USE ANY FUNDING IN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

GOVERNOR IS THE MOST POWERFUL IN THE COUNTRY BECAUSE OF THE POWERS INVESTED IN HIM BY THE ORGANIC ACT OF 1964, SORRY, ´54, AND FURTHER EXPLAINS IN THE CODE.

TITLE 23 UNDER EMERGENCIES.

>> DURING A DAY LONG EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS AND FINANCE ON WEDNESDAY, SENATORS PRESSED WAFA OFFICIALS FOR UPDATES ON THE FINANCIAL CRISIS.

THE CEO CITED HIGH FUEL COSTS AND UNPAID BILLS AND FINANCIAL SHORTAGES AS THE REASONS FOR ROTATING OUTAGES, WHICH ULTIMATELY LED TO THE GOVERNOR DECLARING A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

HOWEVER, SENATE MAJORITY LEADER KENNETH GETTENS CHALLENGED THIS EXPLANATION AND LEVELLED A SERIOUS ACCUSATION WAFA AND THE BRIAN ADMINISTRATION.

>> IF YOU ARE NOT CONVINCED, I AM, THAT THESE TWO ENTITIES ARE WORKING IN COLLUSION WITH EACH OTHER.

NOT ONLY THAT, WAPA A LOT OF IT.

ST. CROIX, THE ROTATIONAL OUTAGES HAVE ENDED ON ST. CROIX DUE TO SUCCESSFUL REPAIRS OF UNIT 20.

THIS IS EXTORTION, PEOPLE.

YOU GOT YOUR CHECK TODAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE ROTATION IS OVER.

THIS EMERGENCY LEGISLATIVE SESSION OF THE 34th LEGISLATURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS HERE BY CALLED TO ORDER.

>> DURING A LEGISLATIVE SESSION ON THURSDAY, APRIL 25th, LAWMAKERS PASSED THREE BILLS RELATED TO THE FINANCIAL CRISIS.

A BILL THAT WILL ALLOW THE GOVERNMENT TO OFF SET A $6 MILLION LOAN MADE TO WAPA WITH OBLIGATIONS OWED BY THE HOSPITALS AND WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY, A BILL THAT PERMITS A GOVERNMENT, PERMITS THE GOVERNMENT TO USE THE BUDGET STABILIZATION TO COVER ITS OBLIGATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 WITH THE REQUIREMENT TO REPLENISH THESE FUNDS BY OCTOBER 1st, 2024.

WITH FISCAL YEAR 2024 COLLECTION AND A BILL THAT AMENDED THE VIRGIN ISLANDS CODE TO ALLOW THE LEGISLATURE TO RESCIND THE STATE OF EMERGENCY.

>> WE RECOGNIZE WHAT A STATE OF EMERGENCY IS AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT IT STAYS ALONG THOSE LINES.

>> JOINING THE SHOW TO DELVE INTO THIS HOT BUTTON ISSUE IS HUGO HODGE JR., FORMER CEO OF WAFA AND CURRENT CHAIRMAN OF THE ST. THOMAS, ST. JOHN HORSE RACING COMMISSION.

JOINING THE CONVERSATION IS OWNER OF THE COUTURE LAW FIRM AND FORMER SENATOR, NEVILLE JAMES, WHO NOW HOSTS THE POPULAR RADIO SHOW, ANALYZE THIS, ON WTJX´S FM STATION.

NEVILLE, LET´S START WITH YOU.

YOU HOSTED THE GOVERNOR ON THIS ISSUE THAT IS ON THE MINDS OF VIRGIN ISLANDERS ACROSS THE TERRITORY AND HAD A TOUGH ROLE TO PLAY IN BALANCING YOU KNOW, THE NEEDS OF THE BRANCH THAT YOU SAID YOU ARE OBLIGATED TO DEFEND AND BALANCING WHAT THE GOVERNOR DECIDED TO DO AND ACRIMONY THAT´S HAPPENING BEFORE THE TWO BRANCHES.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT YOU TOOK AWAY FROM THAT INTERVIEW.

>> LESLIE, INTERVIEWING THE GOVERNOR IS ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

HE´S GOOD WITH A MICROPHONE.

HE CAME IN THIS WEEK WANTING TO TAKE IT TO THE LEGISLATURE.

AND HE DID THAT.

>> YEP.

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE PUBLIC WANTS THESE TWO IMPORTANT BRANCHES TO WORK TOGETHER ON BEHALF OF THEM FOR A VIRGIN ISLANDS THAT IS GOING WELL.

THEY DON´T REALLY WANT TO HEAR ABOUT THE DISPUTES.

IT´S UNFORTUNATE WHAT WE´RE DEALING WITH WITH THE WAFA SITUATION.

LET THEM KNOW WHEN THINGS WERE BAD, THEY PETITIONED FOR INCREASES AND 2008 WAS ACTUALLY THE MOST VOLATILE YEAR WHERE IN MAY OF 2008, THEN CEO PETITIONED THE INCREASE AND THEN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER OF THAT YEAR, HE PETITIONED FOR TWO DECREASES BECAUSE THE PRICE OF FUEL HAD GONE DOWN.

18 AND 34%.

RESPECTIVELY SO.

THEIR TOPIC IS NOTHING NEW.

WE NEED A PERMANENT FIX.

IT´S HARD.

BUT WE GOT TO MAKE THAT COMMITMENT AND MAKE IT HAPPEN BECAUSE WE CAN´T CONTINUE TO GO THROUGH THIS OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

HE HAS THAT ABILITY TO DECLARE A STATE OF EMERGENCY, BUT I ALSO UNDERSTAND THE LEGISLATURE´S POSITION BECAUSE THEY ARE THE AUTHORIZING BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT OF VIRGIN ISLANDS IN PARTICULAR WHEN IT COMES TO SPENDING.

EXPENDITURES OF PUBLIC FUNDS.

>> LET ME COME TO YOU, MR. HODGE.

YOU HAVE SAT IN THIS SEAT SO YOU KNOW EXACTLY VERY INTIMATELY, PROBABLY BETTER THAN MOST VIRGIN ISLANDERS, WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE AUTHORITY.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE LEGISLATURE´S RESPONSE?

IT ALMOST SEEMS LIKE THEY THOUGHT THE GOVERNOR OVERREACHED AND IGNORED THEM AND THE GOVERNOR SAID LISTEN, I HAVE A CRISIS AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS CODE GIVES ME THE AUTHORITY TO ACT AND ACT IMMEDIATELY.

WHAT DO YOU TAKE AWAY FROM THIS SITUATION?

>> THE CRISIS IS REAL.

AND IT WAS REAL PARTICULARLY IN THE DAYS LEADING UP TO THIS DECISION BY THE GOVERNOR.

WHEN YOU HEAR A PRESS RELEASE THAT TALKS ABOUT WEATHER AND LOW FUEL THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT DAYS OF FUEL ON HAND.

WHEN YOU GET TO A CERTAIN LEVEL OF FUEL IN THE TANKS, YOU CAN´T GET THE PUMPS TO BRING OUT THE FUEL.

YOU DON´T NORMALLY PLAY WITH LESS THAN FOUR, FIVE, SIX DAYS.

THE SYSTEM WAS DESIGNED TO HAVE MORE AS YOU GET TOWARD THE HURRICANE SEASON.

WHEN YOU GET SINGLE DIGITS, IT ALLOWS FOR DELIVERY TO BE DISRUPTED BY WHETHER WHEREVER IT´S COMING FROM TO IMPACT WHAT´S GOING ON IN THE TERRITORY.

AND THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD TO PAY THEIR BILLS ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE WHEN YOU GET TO THESE TYPES OF SCENARIOS BECAUSE THEY DON´T HAVE GENERATORS.

THEY DON´T HAVE ANY WAY OF GETTING POWER TO THEIR HOMES IN THE EVENT UTILITY RUNS OUT OF POWER AND THE SIGNAL THAT SENDS TO THE REST OF THE MARKETS IMPACTS EVERYONE.

>> EVERYBODY.

>> JUST THE PRESS RELEASE GOING OUT SAYING THAT IT´S GOING TO TAKE PLACE MAKES BUSINESSES MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS AND CLOSE THEIR DOORS.

MAYBE ON THEIR LAST LIFELINE.

THEY CAN´T AFFORD TWO DAYS WITHOUT REVENUE AND ALSO CAN´T AFFORD TO BE OPEN AND PAYING EMPLOYEES TO THEY´RE MAKING DECISIONS TO CLOSE THEIR DOORS.

IT´S A CRISIS THAT HAD TO BE AVERTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IN ANY MANNER AVAILABLE.

SO I, WHILE I GET THE REACTION FROM THE LEGISLATURE, I THINK, I HEARD THE GOVERNOR SAY THAT HE CAME TO, HE CALLED THE PRESIDENT AND TRIED TO GET ACTION FROM THEM.

AND HE HAD TO GET SIGNATURES, EIGHT SIGNATURES, I GUESS, FOR A MAJORITY TO MOVE FORWARD.

IT WASN´T HAPPENING FAST ENOUGH TO HE DECIDED TO GO THIS ROUTE.

SO I GET THE IMPRESSION HE DID ATTEMPT TO GO THROUGH LEGISLATURE OR THROUGH THE PROCESS, BUT EXPEDIENCE IS NECESSARY UNDER THESE CRISIS.

>> THE LEGISLATURE RESPONDED BY PASSING ON THE 25th THREE BILLS.

ONE ESSENTIALLY REDUCES A LOAN THAT THE HOSPITALS AND WASTE MANAGEMENT THEY´RE PAYING BACK.

THE SECOND ALLOWS THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TO UTILIZE THE RAINY DAY FUND WHICH ALREADY IT´S GIVEN IN THE GOVERNOR´S EMERGENCY POWERS BUT THE THIRD IS THE MOST INTERESTING.

IT REQUIRES A TWO-THIRDS VOTE FROM THE LEGISLATURE TO RESCIND A STATE OF EMERGENCY BY THE GOVERNOR.

AS AN ATTORNEY LEGALLY.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THOSE?

>> IT WAS INDICATED, IF THE GOVERNOR HAS, THE GOVERNOR HAS AUTHORITY TO -- WE´RE IN A CRISIS WITH WAFA.

WE HAVE BEEN FOR MANY YEARS.

FROM A TEENAGER OR ELEMENTARY UP TO NOW.

WE HAD ISSUES WITH WAFA.

IT´S THE BACKBONE OF THE ECONOMY.

IT AFFECTS BUSINESS, THE RESIDENTS.

FOR EXAMPLE, IF SOMEONE HAS MEDICAL NEEDS AND THE POWER TO RUN THE -- MEDICATION REFRIGERATED, WAFA GOES WITH THIS CONSTANT ROTATING POWER.

SO I WILL SAY THAT THE GOVERNOR WAS TO CONDUCT GET INVOLVED WITH SENATE AND THE DECISION WAS TO DO A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

>> DO YOU THINK THE PASSING OF THESE BILLS THAT TOOK PLACE, DO YOU THINK THAT WAS AN OVERREACH OR OVERSHOT BASED ON THE, HOW THEY FELT ABOUT WHAT THE >> WELL, I JUST THINK IT WAS A REACTION.

I KNOW IT´S A REACTION BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR DID TAKE SOME SHOTS TOWARDS THE LEGISLATURE.

EARLY THIS WEEK.

AND THE GOVERNOR STATED ON ANALYZE THIS THIS HAS BEEN A FOUR MONTH DEAL I BELIEVE IT WAS IN MARCH, NOT SURE WHAT THE DATE WAS.

HE SAID IT GOT ACRIMONIOUS.

HE DIDN´T LIKE HOW THE LEGISLATURE WAS GOING AFTER WAFA.

THE LEGISLATURE WANTED THE FINANCIAL TEAM TO COME DOWN TO THE LEGISLATURE.

UNFORTUNATELY, THEY SAID THEY WEREN´T COMING SO THEY REACTED.

THEY´RE HUMAN BEINGS LIKE THE GOVERNOR.

THE BUCK STOPS WITH THE GOVERNOR AND THE GOVERNOR HAS TO MAKE THAT DECISION.

HE´S THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND HE DIDN´T WANT THE WORST CASE SCENARIO TO BE REALIZED SO HE TAPPED IN TO TITLE 23, THE RAINY DAY FUND, BUDGET STABILIZATION ACT AND MADE A PAYMENT.

HOPEFULLY GOING FORWARD, WE COULD HAVE OUR COOLER HEADS PREVAIL, BUT THERE´S ALSO A POLITICAL DYNAMIC.

THEIR SITUATION IS MUCH MORE POLITICAL AND POLITICALLY IMPACTED THAN YOUR SITUATION NOW.

>> LET ME ASK YOU SOMETHING, MR. HODGE.

BEING AT THE HEAD OF WAFA, YOU PROBABLY HAVE REVIEWED THE IMPROVEMENT PLANS.

PROBABLY IMPROVED THE PLANS THEY HAVE GOING FORWARD.

I THINK MOST VIRGIN ISLANDERS WANT TO KNOW WHEN DO WE SEE THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.

DO YOU THINK THE AUTHORITY HAS THE CABLETY OF GETTING US TO A POINT WHERE WE HAVE STABLE POWER PRODUCTION AND AT A COST WHERE THE ECONOMY THRIVES?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

NEVER BEFORE IN THE HISTORY OF THE AUTHORITY HAS THERE BEEN SUBSIDY.

$96 MILLION RECEIVED FROM THE GOVERNMENT WITH NO TIE TO A BILL, NO TIE TO FUTURE PAYMENT.

NO TIE TO A PILOT.

JUST STRAIGHT $96 MILLION CASH INFUSION OVER A TWO-YEAR PROCESS.

THERE´S THREE OR FOUR BILLION DOLLARS OR MAYBE MORE AVAILABLE IN FEDERAL FUNDS.

ACCESSIBLE BY THE WATER AND POWER AUTHORITIES.

AVAILABLE TO IMPROVE THE FACILITIES, THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

HARDENING.

JUST OVERALL UPGRADES TO THE SYSTEM GENERATION.

YOU NAME IT.

ALL ASPECTS OF THE BUSINESS.

SO IF EVER THERE IS A TIME THAT THE AUTHORITY COULD BE STREAMLINED AND MADE EFFICIENT AND MADE RESILIENT TO HANDLE THE NEEDS OF THE TERRITORY, IT´S NOW.

I´VE NEVER SEEN IT WITH THIS KIND OF A WAR CHEST BEFORE.

IT´S BEEN HISTORICALLY THE LAND OF HIGH EXPECTATION.

AND LOW RESOURCES.

>> VERY INTERESTING POINT.

VIGL JUST RECENTLY GOT APPROVED FOR A ONE-YEAR TEMPORARY LICENSE AND I´M GOING TO COME TO YOU FIRST, ATTORNEY, WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN NOW?

DO YOU THINK THAT THE ACTION, THE MOVEMENT THEY´VE BEEN WAITING FOR IS GOING TO TAKE PLACE?

THEY SAID THEY´RE GOING TO GET ON BUILDING THIS CASINO RIGHT AWAY, WHICH ESSENTIALLY WILL LEAD TO HORSE RACING WHICH I THINK IS WHAT THE PEOPLE OF ST. CROIX WANT TO SEE MORE THAN ANYTHING ON THE ISLAND.

BUT I´M REALLY, I´M CURIOUS AS TO HOW GAMING HAS BEEN ATTACHED TO RACING.

IN BOTH DISTRICTS NOW, IT ALMOST SEEMS LIKE IN ORDER FOR HORSE RACING TO SUCCEED, IT HAS TO BE ATTACHED TO THE FUNDING SOURCE AND THE FUNDING SOURCE NOW IS CLEARLY GAMING IN THE TERRITORY.

>> GO AHEAD.

WITH THIS NEW ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE APPROVAL OF THE LICENSE COMMISSION, I SEE A REVENUE SOURCE FOR THE VI.

ALSO AS A WHOLE.

BECAUSE ONE BENEFIT THAT, NOT A BENEFIT, A BENEFIT.

SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE CONSTRUCTION, THE COMPETITION OF THE RASINO.

THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE RACETRACK HAS BEEN FOR A LONG TIME.

AND THOSE LOOKING FORWARD TO IT BUT IT´S A GOOD REVENUE STREAM AND WILL HELP THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> NEVILLE, SAME POINT.

GAMING IS ESSENTIAL ALMOST NOW.

IT´S HERE.

THERE´S A GAMING FACILITY AT THE TRACK.

NOW THIS ONE IS GOING TO FINALLY GET BUILT AT THE RANDAL RACETRACK AND WE HOPEFULLY WILL SEE THE RACING THAT RESIDENTS WANTS TO SEE.

DO YOU THINK THIS IS A SUSTAINABLE MODEL FOR THE FUTURE AND WHAT´S THE OVERALL FEELING?

THE OVERALL FEELING ON THE ISLAND OF ST. CROIX RIGHT NOW.

>> WE WANT HORSE RACING BACK.

WE´VE BEEN DOWN SINCE MARIA SLAMMED INTO US ON SEPTEMBER 20th, 2017.

THE TRACK IS A PERSONAL THING FOR ME.

MY DAD´S NAME.

>> THAT´S RIGHT.

>> HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET IT BACK TO WHERE IT USED TO BE.

THE REVEREND -- CALENDAR YEAR 2012 WAS $4.8 MILLION.

YOU KNOW, AT THE TIME, WITH 300 MACHINES, THE REVENUE WAS UP AND THE CASINO WAS $14.4 MILLION.

SO, WHEN YOU RECONCILE THOSE NUMBERS WITH 10% OF THE MACHINES THAT EXISTED AT THE CASINO DOWN AT THE RACETRACK, THEY WERE DOING 33% OF THE REVENUE.

SO, THE ACCESS TO THE RACETRACK IS MUCH MORE GREATER.

IT´S IN A CENTRAL LOCATION HERE ON SAINT CROIX.

SO, I´M NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THEM GENERATING REVENUE.

THE REAL ISSUE IS ABOUT MANAGE M. IT´S ABOUT CONSTRUCTING THE FACILITY.

AND IT´S ABOUT THE REGULATORY OBLIGATIONS THAT COME WITH BEING A HORSE RACING COMMISSION MEMBER.

WE HAD A VI COMMISSION.

WE´VE BROKEN IT BACK TO HOW IT WAS BEFORE WITH ST. CROIX HAVING COMMISSION, ST. JOHN, ST. THOMAS HAVING -- FROM TIME TO TIME.

GOOD NEWS FOR ST. CROIX.

NOW WE NEED TO SEE DELIVERY.

>> YOU ARE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ST. JOHN ST. THOMAS RACING COMMUNITY.

YOU HAVE SEEN WHAT´S TAKEN PLACE, OVERSEEN THE PROGRESS AT THE RACETRACK ON ST. THOMAS.

THERE´S EXCITEMENT.

CARNIVAL RACES ARE RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER.

THERE´S BEEN A MAJOR PUSH TO TRY TO GET THE DEMAND BACK.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THAT PROCESS HAS BEEN LIKE AND WHAT YOU HOPE TO SEE FOR THE ISLAND OF ST. CROIX AS WELL.

>> THIS IS ACTUALLY THE SECOND TIME THAT I WAS INVOLVED IN THE PLANNING OF CARNIVAL RACES SINCE I´VE BEEN IN THE COMMISSION AND SINCE BEING CHAIRMAN.

THE FIRST ONE WAS RIGHT AFTER -- DURING -- RIGHT BEFORE COVID.

WE WERE PLANNING TO DO CARNIVAL RACES AFTER THE HURRICANES.

WE WERE GETTING BACK -- WAS THE PARTNER HERE ON ST. THOMAS AND A VERY GOOD PARTNER AT THAT TIME.

>> GOOD.

AND AT THAT TIME, MR. GRIFFIN WAS RUNNING THE HELM, AND WE HAD MADE PLANS.

WE WERE GETTING READY TO DO CARNIVAL RACES, AND BOOM, COVID CAME AND KNOCKED EVERYTHING DOWN.

SO, IT PUT A BIG DAMPER ON THINGS.

FROM THEN IT´S BEEN JUST THIS THIRST TO GET BACK TO HORSE RACING.

I´M SEEING A DIFFERENT APPROACH BETWEEN THE TWO DISTRICTS HERE ON ST. THOMAS YOU SEE SOUTHLAND GAMING IS BUILDING EVERY FACILITY FIRST EXCEPT THE ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHICH IS SYNONYMOUS WITH THE RACINO ON ST. CROIX.

WE´RE GOING TO GET HORSE RACING BEFORE THE CARNIVAL AND GAMING AFTERWARD.

ON ST. CROIX, YOU´RE SEEING -- SAY THEY´RE GOING TO BUILD A RACINO FIRST.

THAT´S THE FUNDING SOURCE.

THAT´S HOW IT´S GOING TO GET FUNDED.

THEN THEY´RE GOING TO BUILD FACILITIES T AFTERWARD, OR MAYBE SIMULTANEOUSLY YOU´LL GET CONSTRUCTION GOING ON.

EITHER WAY, IT´S A PASSION FOR A LOT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

SO, I REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING HORSE RACING COME BACK TERRITORIALLY.

>> WHAT ARE LESSONS YOU´VE LEARNED GOING THROUGH THIS EXPERIENCE REBUILDING THE CLINTON RACETRACK THAT YOU THINK WOULD BE -- FOR RANDALL DOBBS RACETRACK ON ST. CROIX?

>> I THINK YOU HAVE TO USE THE KNOWLEDGE BASE TERRITORIALLY.

THE DISTRICT THINKING AND THE CONCEPT OF ISOLATING DISTRICTS IS NOT ONE THAT GETS THE BEST RESULTS IN THIS TERRITORY.

IN MY OPINION, THE MOST CHALLENGING THING WE HAVE IN FRONT OF US IN THIS TERRITORY ARE ECONOMIES OF SCALE.

NO MATTER WHAT WE HAVE AS A PROBLEM, WHETHER IT´S YOU THINK IT´S -- REGULATION OR WHATEVER, ECONOMY AT SCALE PLAYS A ROLE IN HOW WE DEAL WITH ALL OF THEM.

WE SEEM TO WANT TO MAKE -- EXASPERATE THAT MORE BY SEPARATING.

WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER, UTILIZE THE SKILL SET IN ALL TERRITORIES, REACH EVERY CORNER, EVERY CREVICE, AND GET EVERYONE TO PLAY A ROLE IN HOW WE MOVE FORWARD.

WE HAVE TO GO AHEAD AND CALL ST. CROIX FOR A FEW THINGS DURING THIS PROCESS, AND WE CONTINUE TO DO SO.

AND THAT NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE.

SO, I´M NOT A PROPONENT OF SEPARATING, SEGREGATION, AND ISOLATION.

BUT WE NEED TO UNIFY AND MAKE SURE WE GET OUR RESOURCES, EVERYBODY, ALL HANDS ON DECK, AS YOU MOVE FORWARD.

>> WE HAVE A NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL NOMINEE IN THE TERRITORY, AND THIS IS THE THIRD ONE FOR THIS ADMINISTRATION.

LET ME START WITH YOU FIRST, ATTORNEY -- BECAUSE THIS IS, AGAIN, RIGHT UP YOUR LEAD.

IT COMES WITH THE TERRITORY, BEING AN ATTORNEY.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE NAMING OF GORDON REHAB.

DO YOU HAVE ANY WORKING EXPERIENCE WITH ATTORNEY REHAB BEFORE, AND DO YOU THINK HE´S A GOOD APPOINTEE BY GOVERNOR BRIAN?

>> FIRST I WANT TO SAY, YES, I THINK HE´S A GOOD APPOINTEE.

IF YOU LOOK IN THE DICTIONARY FOR A PROTOTYPE OF THE ATTORNEY OR ATTORNEY GENERAL, YOU´LL SEE GORDON RAY.

GORDON RAY HAS A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE.

HE´S WELL ROUNDED.

ONE THING IMPORTANT, HE LOVES THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

HE FIRST CAME IN 1968 AND THEN WE CAME BACK IN ´81.

HE HAS DONE WORK FOR THE U.S. ATTORNEY OFFICE.

HE HAS WORKED IN PRIVATE.

AND IN REFERENCE TO MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH MR. RAY, I WAS ON A CASE, OPPOSING COUNSEL.

AND FIRST IT WAS LIKE, OH, THIS IS THE GORDON RAY, INTIMIDATED.

BUT GORDON RAY, HE´S SOMEONE WHO´S VERY RESPECTFUL AND HE LISTENS TO EVEN THE OPPONENT.

AND I THINK THAT´S SOMETHING THAT IS NEEDED IN A LEADER.

AS THE LEADER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, HE´LL SET THE TONE FOR OTHER ATTORNEYS.

AND I THINK IT IS A GOOD CHOICE IN INSULATING ATTORNEY RAY AS THE NEW AGENT.

>> NEVILLE, WE KNOW THAT THERE HAS BEEN PHILOSOPHICAL DISAGREEMENTS STATED AS REASONS FOR THE DEPARTURE OF PRIOR ATTORNEYS GENERAL.

WE -- THIS ONE POSITION IN THE CABINET THAT EVEN WITH THE ADMINISTRATION BEFORE, WE JUST SEEM TO BE HAVING TURNOVER, TURNOVER, TURNOVER.

BASED ON YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF ATTORNEY RAY, DO YOU THINK THAT HE IS A GOOD CHOICE BY THE GOVERNOR?

AND WHAT DO YOU THINK HE WILL BRING DIFFERENT TO THE OFFICE?

>> I THINK SO SIMPLY BECAUSE HE KNOWS THE LANDSCAPE.

HE´S BEEN HERE FOR AN EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME, SINCE 1968.

THAT´S 46 YEARS.

YOU KNOW WHAT I´M SAYING?

BUT I WISH HIM WELL.

HE IS TAKING THIS POSITION UNDER VERY CLOUDY TIMES RIGHT NOW.

WE´VE BEEN IN THIS PROTRACTED WHICH YOU WITH THE EPSTEIN SCANDAL.

I THINK WE´RE ACTUALLY SUBJECT OF A LAWSUIT RIGHT NOW.

SO, HIS EXPERIENCE IS GOING TO BE VALUABLE.

AND HOPEFULLY IT WORKS OUT FOR HIM.

I WANT -- I KNOW YOU WILL -- THIS ONE, RIGHT.

I DON´T MAKE THAT THE PUBLIC IS GOING TO GO AFTER GORDON RAY.

AND THAT WOULD BE INDICATIVE OF PRIMITIVE BEHAVIOR -- BACK IN THE DAY, RIGHT?

BECAUSE WE ARE, IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, WE ARE VERY -- WE´RE WILLING TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE.

AND I THINK GORDON RAY DESERVES THAT OPPORTUNITY.

THE GOVERNOR HAS MADE A DECISION, THE LEGISLATURE.

THEY HAVE THE NOMINATION TO DEAL WITH BECAUSE HE WAS OFFICIALLY NOMINATED AND SET DOWN.

THEY GOT THAT ADOPTION RESPONSIBILITY TO SEE IF THEY WILL APPROVE HIS RESPONSIBILITY.

I LOVE THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THAT´S WHY WE´RE OUT HERE, BECAUSE IT COMES WITH THE TERRITORY.

>> LET ME ASK YOU SOMETHING, MR. HART, DO YOU HAVE ANY INTIMATE EXPERIENCE OR WORK WITH ATTORNEY RAY AT ALL?

>> NOT DIRECTLY.

BUT I OBSERVED HIM ON A COUPLE OF CASES HE´S HAD HERE.

I MET HIM BEFORE.

MY FATHER HAS WORKED ALONGSIDE HIM IN SOME CASES.

AND I´M -- HE´S SOMEONE THAT IF I WAS TO NEED AN ATTORNEY, HE WOULD BE ONE OF THE FIRST NAMES I WOULD LOOK FOR.

>> THAT´S A HIGH COMPLIMENT.

>> BASED ON WHAT I´VE HEARD.

I´VE BEEN HEARING COMMENTS LIKE, WOW, THAT´S A GREAT CATCH.

HOW?

HOW DO WE ENTICE HIM TO WANT TO DO THIS?

SO, IT´S DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT -- THIS WOULD BE ONE OF THOSE THINGS -- MY GOOD FRIEND SAID, WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE CONFIRMATION PROCESS.

AND I´D BE INTERESTING TO SEE SOMEONE FIND SOMETHING NEGATIVE ABOUT THIS THROUGH THIS PROCESS.

>> THAT´S A GOOD POINT.

YEAH.

LET ME COME BACK TO YOU, ATTORNEY -- WHAT DO YOU THINK, GIVEN, YOU KNOW, THE HISTORY AND THE CLOUT THAT NEVILLE MENTION THAT ATTORNEY RAY IS COMING TO SERVE UNDER GIVEN THE HISTORY OF THE PAST TWO ATTORNEYS GENERAL, THEIR TENURE AND HOW THEY ENDED.

WHAT DO YOU THINK SHOULD BE THE MAIN PRIORITY FOR ATTORNEY RAY COMING INTO THE OFFICE?

>> THE OFFICE IS UNDERSTAFFED.

SO, ONE WOULD BE TO RECRUIT AND ALSO TO RETAIN AND TO TRAIN AND TO LEAD -- POSITIVE CASES.

ATTORNEY RAY, HE HAS HISTORY.

HE HAS EXPERIENCE TO DO HIS JOB AND TO DO IT WELL.

IT WILL BE BENEFICIAL.

>> LET ME COME TO YOU WITH A SIMILAR QUESTION AS WELL, NEVILLE.

YOU JUST MENTIONED THE EPSTEIN CASES, PROTRACTED NEVER-ENDING SEEMINGLY LEGAL BATTLE THE TERRITORY IS IN.

THERE ARE OTHER LEGAL CONCERNS.

THERE HAVE BEEN CASE LAWS THAT HAVE BEEN BACKED UP, PEOPLE WITH CASES THEY´VE BEEN ABLE TO PROSECUTE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE CRUCIAL CORNERSTONES OF HIS ADMINISTRATION AT THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SHOULD BE?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, THE DEPUTY ATTORNEYS GENERAL, THAT´S NUMBER ONE.

THEY´RE GOING THROUGH SOME TURMOIL.

HERE´S WHAT WE´RE LOOKING AT.

YOU MENTIONED IT, YOU KNOW, IN THE LEAD-IN.

WE´VE HAD A ATTORNEY GENERAL CHANGE LATE DECEMBER, EARLY JANUARY, 2022/2023.

WE HAD AN ATTORNEY GENERAL GENERAL CHANGE IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR.

WE´VE HAD INTERIM ATTORNEYS GENERAL AS WELL.

SO, WE´VE GOT TO WORK ON -- WE NEED BUY-IN WITH DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERALS AND WE NEED TO BRING THE EPSTEIN CASES TO CLOSURE.

THAT´S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.

WE NEED TO GET THAT BEHIND US.

WE´RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A RECOVERY.

WE CAN SPEAK TO THIS.

RECOVERIES LAST ANYWHERE FROM 12 TO 15, MAYBE 18 YEARS.

KATRINA IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE, WHAT HAPPENED IN NEW ORLEANS IN 2005.

AND THEY JUST CAME TO SOME TYPE OF CLOSURE BEGINNING, LIKE, 2020.

THAT´S WHAT WE NEED TO FOCUS ON.

I AM CONCERNED, BASED ON WHAT ATTORNEY -- SAID THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IS UNDERSTAFFED.

WE NEED THE LAWYERS IN THERE.

WE NEED TO GET THROUGH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT PROCESS WITH THE LEGISLATURE.

HOPEFULLY THAT RUNS SMOOTH, AND WE CAN GET LEADERSHIP OUT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

>> ATTORNEY, NEVILLE, MR. -- THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING ON AND MAKING THIS SUCH A FANTASTIC PANEL.

THAT´S ALL THE SHOW WE HAVE FOR YOU TODAY.

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