Senator Clifford A. Joseph, Sr. announced the successful passage of legislation to secure funding for retroactive wages owed to retirees and government employees along with critical funding for the territory’s hospitals and the adoption of an amendment that would reduce the cap for bond financing for the Virgin Islands Port Authority.
Bill No. 36-0047 as amended was sponsored along with Committee on Budget, appropriations and Finance Chair, Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr. “It was important that those owed retroactive pay, get paid,” said Senator Joseph, Sr. “After learning I was pre-empted, I worked with my colleague(s) to move legislation to pay the retro,” continued Joseph, Sr. “Shortly thereafter we were made aware of the hospital situation and pivoted to address the hospitals as well.”
Bill No. 36-0047 redirects portions of the Epstein settlement funds to pay $22.5M in retroactive wages and provides $13M in funding to the territory’s hospitals. “The measure lends some immediate financial support to our hospitals as we work with stakeholders on a long-term plan on shoring up our healthcare system,” said Senator Joseph, Sr.
Amendment No. 36-341 to Bill No. 36-0038 reduces the bonding capacity of the Virgin Islands Port Authority from $500M to $350M. The amendment passed with strong support of the members present.
“Our airports are now in a public/private partnership and the revenue from our seaports would be pledged and it is not opportune to provide for such a substantial increase in debt capacity,” stated Joseph, Sr. “I want to thank my colleagues for their support on reducing the proposed increase, it is not what I would ideally want, but we have to compromise, and I am comfortable with this ceiling,” continued Joseph, Sr.
“Today’s session was the first since the formation of the 36th Legislature and I am pleased to have worked on meaningful legislation and offer amendment(s) that will positively impact the people of the territory,” concluded Joseph, Sr
