>>> HI.

I´M KEVIN O´CONNOR AND WELCOME BACK TO "THIS OLD HOUSE."

OUR HOUSE IS IN NEW JERSEY.

BOBBY AND JAY HAVE WORKED WITH HEATH, OUR ELECTRICIAN, AND MARA AND HIS PAINT CREW AND OF COURSE CHARLIE AND HIS GUYS.

>> MY NAME IS DANNY.

I´M ONE OF THE LEAD TRAINERS HERE AT THE ROOFING ACADEMY.

>> WE HAVE COME HERE TO A ROOFING ACADEMY WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO LEARN HOW TO PROPERLY AND SAFELY INSTALL A ROOF.

>> THIS IS WHERE THE HANDS ON TRAINING HAPPENS AND IT´S GREAT BECAUSE THIS IS A FULL SIZE MODEL OF THE ROOF.

IT´S ONLY ABOUT A FOOT OFF THE GROUND BUT IT´S SAFE.

IT´S GOT BAY SHIFTS SO YOU CAN WORK RIGHT HERE.

IT´S GOT A STEEP PITCH AND A SHALLOW PITCH.

YOU´VE GOT A HIP RIGHT HERE, A VALLEY OVER THERE.

YOU HAVE GOT A FLASH, A DOORWAY AND A GABLE END OVER THERE THAT NEEDS STRIP FLASHING AS WELL.

WITH THIS MODEL YOU GET EVERYTHING YOU´RE GOING TO PRACTICE ON.

>> IF YOU THINK ABOUT THIS IF WATER DOES GET UNDERNEATH THE SHINGLES, IT´S GOING TO HIT THE DECK PROTECTION, ROLL OUT OVER THE LEAK BARRIER AND DOWN INTO THE GUTTER WITHOUT EVER HITTING THE WOOD DECK.

THAT´S KIND OF THE PURPOSE.

WE WANT TO SHED WATER.

WE STARTED FROM SQUARE ONE AND WORKED INTO A LEAK BARRIER AND OUR DECK PROTECTION.

>> NOW ANYWHERE IN THAT AREA.

>> WE´VE GONE THROUGH STARTER COURSES, DRIFT EDGE ON THE RAISE AND INTO THE SHINGLING NOW.

>> IF WE GO BACK 6 INCHES.

>> THEY´RE VERY AGILE ON THE ROOF AND THEY´RE ABLE TO GET AROUND.

THEY´RE VERY COMFORTABLE UP THERE.

IT´S REALLY IMPORTANT THEY´RE COMFORTABLE ON THE ROOF.

>> HELPS TO BE YOUNG.

>> EXACTLY.

EXACTLY.

>> WHAT´S IT LIKE FOR YOU WHEN YOU TAKE THE PEOPLE THROUGH THIS PROCESS AND SEE THEM GET IT AND POWER THEM TO BE LIKE OKAY I´VE GOT THIS FIGURED OUT NOW.

>> I´VE BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY AND THIS IS REWARDING TO SEE YOUNG KIDS OR OTHER GROUPS WE WORK WITH, UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES COME IN AND HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE THEIR LIVES AND GET INTO A BUSINESS THAT´S VERY LUCRATIVE.

>> EXTENDS UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, EXTENDS THE $300 ADDON PAYMENTS THROUGH LABOR DAY.

IT INCREASES S.N.A.P.

BENEFITS, 15% MONTHLY INCREASE IN S.N.A.P.

BENEFITS AND MAINTAINS AND EXPANDS THE PROGRAM THAT IS NUTRITION AID FOR FAMILIES THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED FOOD INSECURITY DUE TO THE LACK OF SCHOOL MEALS FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

>> CAN YOU TALK ABOUT RENTAL ASSISTANCE OR SUPPORT FOR HOMEOWNERS.

>> RENTERS PAY RENT PAYMENTS.

TO HELP HOMEOWNERS WITH MORTGAGE PAYMENTS AND UTILITY BILLS.

>> GREAT.

WE HAVE A LARGE NUMBER OF VIRGIN ISLANDERS THAT ARE HOMEOWNERS, OVER 60%.

SO, THAT´S REALLY GREAT FOR THEM.

THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE FHA, FEDERALLY BACKED MORT AJS.

BUT ALSO WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO RENT, AND THEY RENT FROM LANDLORDS, INDIVIDUAL HOMEOWNERS AS WELL.

SO, THAT RENTAL ASSISTANCE ACTUALLY GOES DIRECTLY TO THOSE RENTERS SO THEY CAN PAY THOSE LANDLORDS SO PEOPLE ARE ALSO GETTING MONEY AS WELL, RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> THAT´S FANTASTIC.

SO, CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHEN IT COMES TO VACCINES HOW THAT WILL HELP THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS BENEFIT AND WHAT IS IN THAT IN THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN?

>> WELL, 7.5 BILLION IS GIVEN TO THE CDC TO DISTRIBUTE AMONG STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR COMMUNITY VACCINATION SITES AND ALSO MOBILE VACCINATION CENTERS.

AND THAT´S IN ADDITION TO THE MONEY THAT FEMA PROVIDES TO REIMBURSE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS LIKE THE VIRGIN ISLANDS FOR COVID RESPONSE RELATED COSTS.

AND SO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HAS RECEIVED OVER $3.5 MILLION IN VACCINATION-RELATED ASSISTANCE FROM HHS, WHICH IS THE CDC, AND ALSO FEMA FOR THOSE VACCINATIONS TO PROMOTE AND ALSO TRACK VACCINATIONS.

>> I MEAN BECAUSE WE´VE GOT TO GET TO HERD IMMUNITY.

>> RIGHT.

>> THAT´S THE ONLY WAY WE´RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET BACK TO NORMAL.

>> AND WE´VE REALLY GOT TO EDUCATE ABOUT VACCINES.

THERE´S MONEY FOR THAT AS WELL, TO EDUCATE THE VACCINE HESITANCY.

>> SO, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND TO PEOPLE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, BUT PEOPLE ARE NOT REALLY AWARE OR UNDERSTAND IS THE CHILD TAX CREDIT AND THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT.

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THE CHILD TAX CREDIT AND EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT IS FOR FAMILIES AND WHAT WE WERE ABLE TO PUT INTO THIS BILL THAT´S GOING TO HELP THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IN TERMS OF REIMBURSEMENT.

>> THE CHILD TAX CREDIT IS A REFUNDABLE TAX CREDIT THAT BASICALLY IS A TAX CREDIT FOR EACH KID.

>> UP TO THE AGE OF 17.

>> UP TO THE AGE OF 17.

>> BECAUSE I HAVE SOME WHO ARE OLDER THAN 17 WHO STILL ACT LIKE KIDS IN MY HOUSE.

>> OF COURSE.

>> BUT I CAN´T GET ANY MONEY FOR THEM.

>> RIGHT.

FOR ALL CHILDREN UNDER 18, YOU HAVE AN EXPANDED TAX CREDIT IN 2021, UP TO $3,600 FOR A KID UNDER 6, $3,000 IF THE KID IS 6-17.

AND THE CREDIT IS NOW FULLY REFUNDABLE IN 2021.

WHAT THAT MEANS, EVEN IF YOU OWE NO TAXES, YOU´LL STILL RECEIVE THE FULL AMOUNT OF THE CREDIT AS A REFUND PAYMENT.

AND YOU DON´T HAVE TO HAVE ANY EARNED INCOME TO RECEIVE THE CREDIT.

EVEN IF YOU DON´T WORK, YOU CAN STILL RECEIVE THE FULL AMOUNT.

AND ALSO THE CREDIT IS ADVANCEABLE FOR THE SECOND HALF OF 2021.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS AFTER JULY 15th, THE VIRGIN ISLANDS BUREAU OF INTERNAL REVENUE WILL BE MAKING MONTHLY PAYMENTS OR PERIODIC PAYMENTS UP TO HALF THE AMOUNT OF THE CREDITS.

FOR THE $3,600 PAYMENT, IT WILL BE $1,800 IN $300 MONTHLY PAYMENTS.

AND FOR THE LOWER AMOUNT FOR KIDS ABOVE 6, THE $3,000, IT WILL BE $250 PER MONTH TO ADD UP TO $1,500 AND THE REST IS CLAIMED WHEN YOU FILE YOUR TAXES AT THE BEGINNING OF NEXT YEAR.

>> OF NEXT YEAR.

NOW, THAT CREDIT IS UP TO PEOPLE WHO MAKE AN INCOME OF A CERTAIN AMOUNT.

>> YES.

>> SO, AFTER -- IF YOU ARE IN A MUCH HIGHER TAX BRACKET, THEN YOU MAY NOT GET THIS CREDIT.

>> FOR THOSE OF US $75,000, THAT´S WHEN THE HIGH AMOUNT OF $3,600 OR $3,000, THAT´S WHEN THAT BEGINS TO SCALE DOWN.

>> MEANING THE PRE-AMERICAN RECOVERY -- >> AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN.

>> RESCUE PLAN AMOUNT DATE.

>> YES.

>> RIGHT?

>> CORRECT.

>> BUT NOW THE THING THAT IS REALLY MONUMENTAL FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IN THIS IS THAT OUR TEAM, LED BY YOU, THE LEGISLATIVE TEAM, WERE ABLE TO PUT IN THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN THE ABILITY FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS GOVERNMENT TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THIS.

SO, UP UNTIL THIS YEAR, THE VIRGIN ISLANDS GOVERNMENT WAS PAYING THIS FEDERAL TAX -- >> RIGHT.

>> -- CREDIT TO FAMILIES, EARNED INCOME CREDIT AND THE CHILD TAX CREDIT, AND THEY WEREN´T BEING REIMBURSED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR IT, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

>> BUT THANKS TO THE WORK OF MY TREMENDOUS TEAM -- >> TO YOU.

>> -- WE NOW HAVE FULL REIMBURSEMENT FOR THIS PERMANENTLY -- >> PERMANENTLY.

>> -- MOVING FORWARD.

AND ANNUALLY WHAT DOES THAT SAVE THE VIRGIN ISLANDS GOVERNMENT.

>> MORE THAN $20 MILLION.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING YOU DID WHILE YOU WERE IMPEACHING THE PRESIDENT.

IT WAS OUTSTANDING.

>> WELL, YOU GOT TO MULTITASK.

YOU GOT TO MULTITASK.

SO, THAT´S REALLY FANTASTIC.

THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN, YOU KNOW, HAS SO MANY PROVISIONS LIKE THAT FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER PROVISIONS IN THERE THAT YOU THINK PEOPLE SHOULD BE AWARE OF?

>> YES, I REALLY DO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT HOW MUCH THIS $561 MILLION LUMP SUM PAYMENT IS.

IT IS REALLY HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TO REALLY RECOVER NOT ONLY FROM THE PANDEMIC BUT FROM THE NEGATIVE ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF THE PANDEMIC, WHICH CAN INCLUDE ECONOMIC CHALLENGES THAT EXISTED PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC BUT WERE MADE WORSE BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

AND YOU KNOW THAT WE WERE RECOVERING, STILL ARE, FROM TWO VERY SEVERE HURRICANES THREE AND A HALF YEARS AGO.

SO, IT CAN BE USED FOR COSTS RELATED TO RESPONDING TO ANY KIND OF NEGATIVE ECONOMIC CHALLENGE THAT WAS MADE WORSE BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

AND THE LAST THING IS NOW THE TERRITORIES, INCLUDING THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE CHILD CARE ENTITLEMENT TO STATES PROGRAM.

AND WHAT THAT IS SUPMENTAL CHILD CARE FUNDING THAT SUBSIDIZING THE COST OF CHILD CARE FOR VIRGIN ISLANDS FAMILIES.

>> FOR FAMILIES.

BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT SO MANY FAMILIES, THAT´S A MAJOR EXPENSE IN THEIR HOME.

AND IT DETERMINES WHETHER, SHOULD I GO BACK TO WORK?

AM I GOING TO BE MAKING ENOUGH MONEY TO WORK?

OR SHOULD I BE JUST STAYING HOME WITH MY CHILDREN?

SO, THAT´S BEEN FANTASTIC.

I KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE´RE TALKING ABOUT CHILDREN, WE TALKED ABOUT THE LUMP SUM, THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT GOES TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

BUT HOW DOES THE PLAN HELP SCHOOLS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS REOPEN?

>> WELL, IT CAN BE USED TO REVAMP VENTILATION SYSTEMS, TO HELP SCHOOLS COMPLY WITH CDC GUIDELINES AS WE GO BACK TO IN-CLASSROOM LEARNING.

AND IT CAN BE USED TO MAKE UP FOR LOST LEARNING TIME, SUCH AS SUMMER CLASS PROGRAMS, SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAMS, ALSO AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS.

ALSO EXTENDING THE CLASS DAY TO MAKE UP FOR LOST LEARNING TIME.

ALL THOSE USES ARE ELIGIBLE USES OF THOSE FUNDS.

>> THERE´S ALSO FUNDING ADDITIONALLY FOR HEAD START SO WE CAN EXPAND THE AMOUNT OF CHILDREN THAT ARE ELIGIBLE TO OUR HEAD START.

OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, WHAT´S REALLY NEAR AND DEAR TO ME ARE OUR FARMERS AND SMALL BUSINESSES.

CAN YOU SAY AT ALL HOW THE RESCUE PLAN SUPPORTS SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE FARMERS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS?

>> WELL, FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, YOU´VE GOT ANOTHER $7.5 BILLION NATIONALLY FOR THE PAYROLL PROTECTION PROGRAM OUT OF SBA THAT HELPS SMALL BUSINESSES THAT HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY THE PANDEMIC PAY WAGES AND PAY UTILITIES AND PAY HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS.

AND IT ALSO HAS ANOTHER $15 BILLION NATIONALLY FOR IDLE LOANS, THAT´S ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOANS.

THOSE AREN´T FORGIVABLE BY THE PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM.

>> SO, GOING BACK TO THE SMALL BUSINESS ONE, YOU KNOW, THIS IS THE PAYROLL PROTECTION PROGRAM THAT WE HAD.

THIS HAS BEEN SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE THE C.A.R.E.S.

ACT, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

>> AND VIRGIN ISLAND SMALL BUSINESSES HAVE DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB OF APPLYING FOR AND BEING PART OF THIS.

THIS, I THINK, HAS BEEN A GREAT TESTAMENT TO THE RELATIONSHIP THAT SMALL BUSINESSES HAVE WITH OUR LOCAL BANKS.

BECAUSE THEY´RE IN THE COMMUNITY, SO THEY´RE ABLE TO TALK TO THESE BUSINESSES.

REALLY GETTING INFORMATION OUT AT THE VERY BEGINNING.

OF THE WEBINARS WE HAD SO SMALL BUSINESSES COULD APPLY.

WAYNE HUDDLESTON WHO´S WITH THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HAS DONE A TREMENDOUS JOB OF ANSWERING QUESTIONS.

I MEAN, WE´VE HAD ALMOST 2,000 SMALL BUSINESSES THAT HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN APPLYING FOR THESE PROGRAMS.

AND HOW MUCH MILLIONS OF DOLLARS DO YOU THINK THAT HAS EQUATED TO?

>> I THINK IT´S BEEN AT LEAST 700,000 LOANS.

SO, MANY MILLIONS.

THE LOANS GO UP TO $10 MILLION EACH.

>> RIGHT.

>> I DON´T HAVE THE EXACT FIGURES IN FRONT OF ME, BUT I BELIEVE IT´S 700,000 LOANS.

>> MM-HM, THAT´S AMAZING.

SO, CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO US WHAT MAYBE SOME OF THESE BUSINESSES MIGHT LOOK LIKE?

BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE THINK, WELL, I HAVE A BUSINESS BUT IT´S JUST ME.

I´M THE ONLY EMPLOYEE I HAVE.

I DON´T KNOW IF THIS IS THE PROGRAM FOR ME BECAUSE THIS IS TO PAY MY UTILITIES AND PAY FOR EMPLOYEES.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO PEOPLE LIKE THAT?

>> WELL, THE ELIGIBILITY IS MUCH BROADER THAN THE NORMAL SBA 7A ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

SOLE PROPRIOR TOSHIPS CAN GET PPP LOANS.

ALSO NEWSPAPERS ARE ELIGIBLE.

REALLY THE ELIGIBILITY IS VERY BROAD.

SO, WE WOULD URGE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS TO CONSULT WITH THEIR LENDER, THEIR LOCAL BANKS THAT ARE STILL PARTICIPATING, AS WELL AS OUR LOCAL SBA WHICH IS VERY RESPONSIVE.

>> SO, WHEN YOU SAY NON-PROFIT, SO LIKE A CHURCH.

IF THE CHURCH HAS EMPLOYEES.

MAYBE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO WORKS IN THE FRONT OFFICE, THE PASTOR, ET CETERA.

THOSE ARE PEOPLE THAT YOU COULD THEN APPLY FOR THE LOAN.

YOU KNOW, THE ST. JOHN´S FOUNDATION OR THE ST. CROIX FOUNDATION NON-PROFIT, THE WOMEN´S COALITION.

ALL OF THOSE ARE ORGANIZATIONS THAT COULD BE RECEIVING THIS AS WELL AS TAXICAB DRIVERS, RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> SOLE PROPRIETORS OF THE BUSINESS.

THEY´RE INDIVIDUALS AS WELL WHO CAN RECEIVE THIS.

OUR FARMERS.

WHAT DO OUR FARMERS GET OUT OF THIS?

>> WELL, SOMETHING THAT´S VERY IMPORTANT IN THE RESCUE PLAN IS THAT THERE´S LOAN FORGIVENESS FOR MINORITY FARMERS.

AND BASICALLY THEY HAVE ANY -- THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE IS DIRECTED TO FORGIVE ALL USDA DIRECT ASSISTANCE LOANS AND USDA GUARANTEED LOANS.

AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, 20% OF THE FORGIVEN DEBT IS MADE AS A PAYMENT ON TOP OF THAT.

THIS IS REALLY HISTORIC WHAT´S HAPPENING FOR MINORITY FARMERS IN THE RESCUE PLAN.

>> THAT´S AMAZING.

THAT´S REALLY GREAT.

AND, YOU KNOW, THAT´S WHAT YOU WERE WORKING ON IN THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN, RIGHT?

WE HAVE THE AMERICAN JOBS PLAN THAT´S GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE ON WASHINGTON, WHAT WE´RE ALL TALKING ABOUT WITH THE AMERICAN JOBS PLAN.

I´M THROWING YOU A CURVEBALL BECAUSE I DID NOT TELL YOU WERE GOING TO BE DISCUSSING THIS.

>> THE JOBS PLAN IS HISTORIC INVESTMENT IN OUR WORK FORCE.

WE´RE TALKING SURFACE TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE, ROADS, SURFACE INFORMATION THAT CAN INCLUDE WATER SURFACE TRANSPORTATION, LIKE A MARINE HIGHWAY SURFACE TRANSPORTATION.

ALSO INVESTMENT IN ENERGY SYSTEMS, ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS, SO ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE, INVESTMENT IN BROADBAND INVESTMENT AND INVESTMENTS IN S.T.E.M.

AND WORK FORCE.

INVESTMENTS IN ALL TYPES OF INFRASTRUCTURE, SONTDAL, VERTICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, CONNECTIVITY INFRASTRUCTURE.

IT´S ALL IN THE AMERICAN JOBS PLAN AND WE´RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT.

>> RIGHT.

WE ARE LOOKING AT THIS AS A 21st CENTURY INFRASTRUCTURE BILL.

SO, IT CAN´T JUST BE THE TRADITIONAL TRAINS AND ROADS, HIGHWAYS, RIGHT?

WE´RE INCLUDING THIS DISCUSSIONS ABOUT ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND BROAD BAND IS PROMINENTLY FEATURED.

BUT ALSO CREATING JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS SO THAT INDIVIDUALS CAN MEET THE NEEDS OF A CHANGING -- CHANGING NEEDS IN THE 21st CENTURY GLOBAL ECONOMY.

ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT I THINK IS REALLY INTERESTING IS THAT THE PRESIDENT IS REALLY FOCUSED ON CLEAN ENERGY.

YOU KNOW, NOW THAT WE´RE BACK IN THE PARIS ACCORD, THERE IS A FOCUS NOW ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND CLEAN ENERGY.

AND HOW IMPORTANT IS THAT TO THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS?

>> WELL, VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE WHEN YOU INVEST IN RENEWABLES AND YOU INVEST IN MICROGRIDS AND SMART GRIDS, THAT INCREASES THE RESILIENCY OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND VULNERABILITY WHEN WE HAVE THINGS LIKE A HURRICANE THAT COMES THROUGH.

IT ALSO REDUCES OUR DEPENDENCE ON ALL THE ENERGY THAT HAS TO BE BROUGHT IN, SUCH AS WHEN IT IS LIKE IT IS NOW.

THAT´S WHY WHEN THE ENERGY BILL CAME THROUGH THE HOUSE YOU HAVE AN AMENDMENT -- WE HAVE A GRANT PROGRAM FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS AND SMART GRIDS AND MICROGRIDS IN THE TERRITORIES.

WE´RE STILL WORKING ON THAT, BUT THAT´S SOMETHING WE´RE VERY HOPEFUL ABOUT AS WE GO TO THE JOBS PLAN.

>> THANK YOU.

THAT´S A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT OUR OFFICE HAS BEEN WORKING ON AND WHAT´S AVAILABLE TO VIRGIN ISLANDERS IN THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN.

WE´VE BEEN DEBATING AND HAVING LONG DISCUSSIONS.

WE HAVEN´T EVEN SEEN THE BILL YET, RIGHT?

BUT WE´VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE GOVERNOR´S OFFICE, WITH THE LOCAL LEGISLATURE ABOUT WHAT ARE OUR PRIORITIES FOR THE AMERICAN JOBS PLAN.

THE MEMBERS OF THE TERRITORIES, EVERYONE, I WANT YOU TO KNOW, WE GET TOGETHER REGULARLY.

AND WE REPRESENT BOTH REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS AS MEMBERS OF THE TERRITORY TALKING ABOUT, OKAY, AS A GROUP WHAT ARE THE FOUR, SIX THINGS THAT WE CAN ALL AGREE ON THAT WE´RE GOING TO FIGHT TOGETHER FOR.

AND I THINK WE´VE MADE SOME TREMENDOUS PROGRESS IN THAT AREA.

AND INTERESTINGLY, YOU KNOW, IT´S BIPARTISAN IN OUR SUPPORT FOR ONE ANOTHER.

AND RECOGNIZING THAT AS ISLAND TERRITORIES, WE ALL HAVE VERY, VERY SIMILAR MEANS.

WELL, I THINK IT´S SAFE TO SAY THAT BECAUSE OF THE EFFORTS OF OUR OFFICE AND WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS´ DECISIVE ACTION, THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN WILL MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE TO PROTECT THE LIVES AND LIVELIHOODS OF VIRGIN ISLANDS FAMILIES, SMALL BUSINESSES, FARMERS, ALL AMERICANS.

JEFF, I WANT TO THANK YOU NOT JUST FOR PARTICIPATING IN THIS WEEK´S SHOW BUT ALL OF THE TREMENDOUS EFFORT OF YOU AND THE LEGISLATIVE TEAM WORKING UNDER THE CHIEF OF STAFF TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF THIS TAKES PLACE.

THE INFORMATION THAT WE TALKED ABOUT I´M SURE WILL BE APPRECIATED BY VIRGIN ISLANDERS.

I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT THE SLIDES THAT WE WERE GOING THROUGH, WE´RE GOING TO POST THEM ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

WE´RE GOING TO BE -- MAKE THEM AVAILABLE TO YOU ALL SO THAT YOU CAN SEE.

YOU CAN GO TO OUR WEBSITE.

YOU CAN SEE THEM THERE.

YOU CAN GO ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO FACEBOOK OR AS MY DAD SAYS, THE FACEBOOK, AND YOU CAN SEE UNDER CONGRESSWOMAN STACEY PLASKETT, YOU´LL SEE THOSE SLIDES THERE AS WELL.

INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, ALL OF THAT.

WE´RE ON ALL OF IT.

SO, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

FINALLY THIS YEAR, WE WILL CONTINUE THE TRADITION OF ENDING "THE WASHINGTON REPORT" WITH SOME WORDS FROM ME, WORDS FROM STACY.

LAST WEEK CONGRESS HELD A HISTORIC FIRST EVER CONGRESSIONAL HEARING FOCUSED EXCLUSIVELY ON THE CASES, A SERIES OF SUPREME COURT CASES GROUNDED IN RACIAL DISCRIMINATION THAT ESTABLISHED A DOCTRINE OF SEPARATE AND UNEQUAL FOR RESIDENTS OF U.S.

TERRITORIES.

THE CASES GO WELL BEYOND THE ABILITY OF CITIZENS IN THE TERRITORIES TO VOTE.

WE PAY BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FEDERAL TAXES, AND YET RESIDENTS OF THE U.S.

TERRITORIES HAVE DENIED ACCESS TO CRITICAL FEDERAL PROGRAMS AND SUPPORT.

OTHERWISE ELIGIBLE CITIZENS AND TERRITORIES ARE DENIED SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME, SSI, LEAVING OUR MOST VULNERABLE SENIORS AND DISABLED PEOPLE TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES.

FEDERAL PROGRAMS INCLUDING MEDICAID, THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, S.N.A.P., THE CHILD TAX CREDIT, EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT, EITC, ARE EITHER CAPPED OR DENIED ALTOGETHER.

THIS DISCRIMINATION AGAINST RESIDENTS OF THE TERRITORIES MUST END NOW.

THESE LAST VESTIGES OF BLATANT RACISM IN GOVERNANCE AND INTERPRETATION OF LAW USED TODAY TO VALIDATE THE UNEQUAL TREATMENT OF AMERICANS IN TERRITORIES ARE STARING US IN THE FACE, DARING US TO BRING THEM DOWN.

THE QUESTION OF OUR TIME IS, WILL WE BLINK?

AGAIN, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS YOU WOULD LIKE TO ASK, PLEASE EMAIL THEM TO ASKSTACY@MAIL.HOUSE.GOV.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.

OUR OFFICES ARE OPEN ON ST. CROIX, ST. THOMAS, ST. JOHN.

WE HAVE OFFICE HOURS THERE AS WELL.

AND OF COURSE JEFF IS THERE IN THE D.C. OFFICE TO SUPPORT YOU AS WELL.

YOU CAN GIVE US A CALL AT 340-778-5900.

YOU CAN CALL US AT 202-225-1790, VISIT US ON FACEBOOK.

THERE´S WAYS THAT YOU CAN EMAIL US ON OUR WEBSITE, ON FACEBOOK.

AND WE´LL GET BACK WITH YOU.

AND WE JUST WANT TO WISH THAT YOU ALL STAY VI STRONG AND HAVE A GREAT DAY.

TAKE CARE AND GOD BLESS.

♫♫ ♫♫ ♫♫ >>> THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF WTJX, ITS BOARD, STAFF OR UNDERWRITERS.

♫♫ ♫♫ ♫♫ ♫♫ >>> I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE GREAT TO WELCOME THESE YOUNG TRAUMA NURSES.

I SAW THIS ARMY NURSE COME WALKING UP THE PATH, AND I SAID, HERE, THIS IS A SPECIAL GIFT FROM ME TO YOU.

AND SHE PUT HER HEAD DOWN SO I COULD PUT THE LEI OVER HER SHOULDERS.

SHE NOTICED THE BUTTON THAT I WAS WEARING ON MY CHEST, AND SHE JUST PUT HER FINGER ON IT, AND SHE SAID, I KNOW HIM.

I SAID, HOW DO YOU KNOW HIM?

HE WAS MY SON.

SHE SAID, I WAS THE TRAUMA NURSE AT THE CRASH UNIT WHERE HE DIED.

SHE SAID, I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT FACE.

BOTH OF US KIND OF LOOKED AT EACH OTHER AND WE STARTED CRYING, AND I GAVE HER A BIG HUG.

BUT I COULD SENSE THAT SOMETHING WAS BOTHERING HER.

AND I THOUGHT SHE MAY HAVE SENSED THAT MY FAMILY MIGHT HAVE BEEN DISAPPOINTED IN THE FACT THAT HIS LIFE COULD NOT BE SAVED.

I SAID, I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT MY SON WAS A WARRIOR.

HE ABSOLUTELY RECOGNIZED ALL OF THE RISKS THAT WERE INVOLVED.

SHE CRIED AND SHE SAID THAT AS THE HEAD TRAUMA NURSE, ONE OF HER TASKS WAS TO PREPARE HIS BODY FOR HIS MEN TO HAVE A LAST VIEWING.

AND SHE SAID THAT HE TRIED TO CLOSE HIS EYES, BUT AS SHE WENT TO PRESS HIS LIDS TOGETHER, THEY ALWAYS WOULD COME OPEN JUST A LITTLE BIT.

SHE SAID THAT HAD BOTHERED HER ALL THIS TIME.

I LOOKED AT HER AND I LAUGHED.

SHE KIND OF GAVE ME THIS PUZZLED LOOK.

SHE SAID, I´M CURIOUS, WHY ARE YOU LAUGHING?

I SAID, MY SON WOULD SLEEP WITH HIS EYES PARTIALLY OPEN.

HIS MEN, WHEN THEY WERE IN COMBAT, THEY WERE NEVER CERTAIN WHAT THEY COULD DO WHEN THE LIEUTENANT WAS SLEEPING BECAUSE THEY NEVER KNEW IF SHE WAS SLEEPING OR IF HE WAS JUST AWAKE WATCHING WHAT THEY WERE DOING.

I SAID, THE SIMPLE FACT THAT YOU SHARED THAT STORY WITH ME TOTALLY CONVINCES ME NOW THAT YOU WERE WITH MY SON AT THE END.

NOW, I NEVER HAVE TO WONDER ABOUT THOSE LAST FINAL MOMENTS.

♫♫ ♫♫ >>> ONCE AGAIN SCHOOLS BECAME THE BATTLEGROUND FOR CIVIL RIGHTS, BUT THIS TIME IN THE NORTH, IN BOSTON.

>> WE WANTED THEM TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTS AND TO COMMIT THEMSELVES TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

>> THERE WERE CLOUDED CLASSROOMS, TEMPORARY TEACHERS, NOT ENOUGH BOOKS.

>> YOU COULD HEAR PEOPLE SAYING GO HOME, STAY OUT, WE DON´T WANT YOU IN OUR SCHOOLS.

>> SATURDAY MAY 22nd AT 8:00 P.M. ON WTJX ORIGINAL.

>> LET´S GET BACK TO TALKING SMACK WITH THE SIDE OF MAC AND CHEESE.

BEFORE WE CAN SAFELY COME TOGETHER, WE NEED THE FACTS ON COVID-19 VACCINES.

TO GET THE FACTS, VISIT GETVACCINEANSWERS.ORG TO YOU CAN MAKE INFORMED DECISION TS WHEN THE VACCINES ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU.

♫♫