Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. has approved eight bills submitted by the 35th Legislature during its Sept. 22 session and vetoed one that Sen. Donna Frett-Gregory has said she will seek to override.
In a transmittal letter to Senate President Novelle Francis Jr. on Tuesday, Bryan acknowledged Resolution No. 1907 (Bill No. 35-0170) honoring and commemorating the Virgin Islands National Guard on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.
Bryan vetoed Bill No. 35-0082, which sought to limit the expulsion and suspension of students in pre-kindergarten through third grade. The bill added a section to make a course in mitigating behavioral issues and misconduct in the classroom for school-based professionals a requirement.
“While I applaud the intent of this measure, it would behoove the Legislature to collaborate with the Department of Education, the Board of Education, and Union representatives to gauge the practicality and prudence of mandating an additional course of study for approximately 1,000 employees of the Department,” Bryan wrote in the transmittal letter.
“Without effective communication and cooperation, we run the risk of creating impractical or ineffective laws. I respectfully request that the Legislature reach out to the entities affected to produce a measure which will achieve the intended goal without placing additional undue burdens on our educators and school-based professionals. I look forward to approving a revised version of this Bill,” Bryan wrote.
The veto drew criticism from Frett-Gregory, who in a press release expressed her “extreme disappointment” with the governor.
“The Governor’s message is beyond perplexing, as the Governor submitted to the 33rd and the 34th Legislatures, what is now known as the V.I. Behavorial Health Act and that act already requires teachers and school-based professionals to be trained,” said Frett-Gregory. “Bill No. 35-0082 references existing law and deviates only by making it clear that the cost associated with the training shall not be borne by the teachers or school-based professionals,” she said.
According to Gregory, the measure would have seen the Virgin Islands joining 22 states and numerous school districts across the nation that have enacted similar legislation and policy.
“It is evident by the message that the Governor’s team is unaware of the laws they have submitted and the Legislature adopted,” said Frett-Gregory. “Bill No. 35-0082 does not create any new or additional requirements for teachers or school-based professionals. This point was made especially clear to the Department of Education’s team, and it is unfortunate that the bill is being made to sound like it is creating a new requirement, it does not.”
Additionally, said Frett-Gregory, there is “an undeniable connection between quality early childhood education and the reduction of crime and gun violence among adults, and we are all charged with shedding light on the transformative power of investing in our youngest citizens. The bill requires, like most studies recommend, that students are provided with behavioral health services to address their cognitive and behavioral issues early.”
A former Education commissioner, Frett-Gregory said Bill No. 35-0082 was built from her professional experience and commitment to improving literacy and numeracy as students graduate high school.
“Frederik Douglass has said it best, ‘It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken adults,’” said Frett-Gregory. “I thank my colleagues Senators Marvin A. Blyden, Angel L. Bolques Jr., Alma Francis Heyliger, Javan E. James Sr., Marise C. James, and Carla J. Joseph for signing on to the measure, and ask all my colleagues for their support as I move for an override.”
Other legislation the governor approved included Bill No. 35-0073, which establishes powers and duties for horse racing commissions for each district, though he said he did so “with hesitation.”
“As recently as 2017, the Legislature amended Title 32, section 201, to create a single Horse Racing Commission and unify the horse racing industry in the Virgin Islands. Now, less than six years later, the Legislature is amending the same section to re-establish two separate commissions for the regulation of horse racing without allowing an opportunity for the unified system to have any races. I question the necessity of this change,” Bryan wrote.
As for Bill No. 35-0136, amending Official Zoning Map No. SCZ- 11 for St. Croix to change the zoning designation of Parcel No. 4 Estate Paradise, Prince Quarter, from R-2 (Residential-Low Density-One and Two Family) to C (Commercial), Bryan issued a word of caution.
“I note that the Territory would benefit from meaningful legislation to address the growing number of junk and salvage yards which have popped up throughout our islands,” the governor wrote. “We must be mindful to preserve the natural beauty of our land and consider the potential environmental implications of these unsightly storage areas.”
Bryan also approved:
- Bill No. 35-0083, an Act amending title 32 of the Virgin Islands Code, chapter 11, subchapter I, section 201 to establish separate horse racing commissions for each district and making provision for a temporary commission.
- Bill No. 35-0095, an Act approving the lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands and Dave Jeffers d/b/a Dave Trucking Service for Parcel No. 142-B Estate Anna’s Retreat, No. 1 New Quarter, St. Thomas, to be used for the purpose of operating the general offices of the trucking company and for other related purposes.
- Bill No. 35-0124, an Act approving the lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands and Demah, Inc. d/b/a Moe’s Fresh Market, for Revised Parcel No. 17-3 Remainder Estate Nisky, No. 6, Southside Quarter, St. Thomas and Unimproved Parcel No. 17-4 Estate Nisky, No. 6, Southside Quarter, St. Thomas, for operating a gourmet retail food market and store, butchery, importer of goods, restaurant, tobacco retailer, storage warehouse, and executive offices, executive and workforce suites, and for other related purposes
- Bill No. 0126, an Act approving the lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands and Petrus Properties, LLC for Parcel No. 47D-1 Kronprindsens Gade, Kronprindsens Quarter, St. Thomas.
- Bill No. 35-0134, an Act granting a use variance from the B-1 (Business-Central Business District) zoning designation to Plot No. 7-a, 7-b and 8-b Hospital Street, Christiansted Town, St. Croix to allow for a marina.
- Bill No. 35-0138, an Act granting a zoning use variance for Plot Nos. 19 and 20 Prince Street, Frederiksted Town, St. Croix.
