As we gear up for the 2024 Senate elections, it’s crucial to know where each candidate stands on issues that matter most to our community. To keep you informed, The Source has compiled a list of key questions on pressing topics affecting the Virgin Islands. The answers below are from St. Croix District incumbent Novelle E. Francis Jr.
Why are you running for office, what are your qualifications, and why should voters choose you?
I am running for re-election to the 36th Legislature because I can deliver real results for Virgin Islanders in areas like economic development and quality of life issues. My qualifications include career law enforcement officer, police commissioner, and two-time president of the Virgin Islands Legislature. Voters should choose me after carefully evaluating my record of service to the people of the Virgin Islands, leadership and legislative accomplishments.
How would you address the high cost of living in the territory and the lack of affordable housing?
Addressing the high cost of living takes a multifaceted approach. As a senator, I have supported the agriculture industry, with the long-term goal of creating food sustainability and reducing our complete reliance on imported products, which contributes to the high cost of living. I have also explored ways to address low and stagnant wages that have not kept pace with the cost of living.
How would you improve the territory’s electrical grid and implementation of renewable energy?
Since taking office, I have worked with my colleagues to fund the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority and address its insolvency, which gives the authority greater flexibility to make critical infrastructure investments. I have also supported the leasing of government-owned property to entities for the purposes of building wind or solar farms, thereby adding greater resiliency to the territory’s electrical grid.
What would you do to expedite or improve the territory’s disaster recovery, which has dragged on for seven years now?
The Legislature has demanded greater accountability from the executive branch in the execution of disaster related projects. As a senator, I continue to push for adherence to timelines for the expenditure of funds and completion of projects, particularly in the Envision program.
What reforms would you propose to ensure our children are receiving the public education that they deserve?
Since taking office, I have collaborated with my colleagues to fund early Head Start and granny pre-K programs. I have also sponsored legislation that would establish a recruitment and retention incentive for teachers and other in-demand professions. Recognizing that the teacher shortage is a national dilemma, the territory must explore every option of retaining experienced and highly qualified educators.
What are your solutions to address violent crime in the territory, especially among young men?
As a career law enforcement officer, I am a proponent of addressing the “broken windows” — namely, those minor infractions that may be an indicator of violent crime or other criminal activity. Since taking office, I have successfully sponsored legislation that decreases criminal activity. Specifically, Act 8199 (Loitering), Act 8552 (License Plate Readers/Red Light Camera Pilot) and Act 8682 (Noise Pollution Control) all support safer streets and communities. By giving law enforcement the tools to address loitering, traffic infractions and noise pollution, it is possible to apprehend would-be perpetrators before the violent crime is committed.
How can the territory improve upon its tourism product while addressing growing concerns about over-tourism? Are we too reliant on cruise tourism and what can be done to bring more overnight visitors?
The recent designation of St. Croix as a National Heritage Area creates significant opportunities to improve the tourism product in that district, with a focus on enhancing historic buildings and districts. Overall, bringing more overnight visitors is a combination of increased airlift, amenities and infrastructure improvements.
What would you propose to better support people dealing with mental illness, alcoholism, addiction, and homelessness?
My experiences in law enforcement have significantly influenced my approach to legislative initiatives to assist persons living with mental illness, addictions and homelessness. I was a primary sponsor of Bill 32-0247, now Act 8152, which funded behavioral wellness vans for community outreach in both districts and a mental health facility on St. Croix. It’s important to literally meet people where they are to make behavioral healthcare accessible and to remove the stigma associated with behavioral wellness.
What plans do you have to reestablish the libraries in the territory?
The territory’s libraries are slated to be rehabilitated as part of the ongoing disaster recovery projects. As a senator, I continue to monitor and advocate for the completion of these projects. In addition, there are opportunities to provide budgetary support for hiring of librarians and staff, if requested by the commissioner of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources.
How can we provide access to affordable healthcare for individuals and small businesses?
The government can explore options to expand Medicaid and close the coverage gap. The Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Division of Banking and Insurance, continues to research health insurance providers for private individuals/employers, but may not have found an affordable provider.
Please tell us about any of your other priorities for the territory that are not addressed in the questions above.
My priorities continue to be economic development, accountability, and quality of life issues, to include elderly and behavioral healthcare.
And finally, if you could have one superpower to move the V.I. forward, what would it be and why?
With superhuman speed, I would rebuild the territory’s hospitals and construct the long- awaited behavioral health facility on St. Croix. The completion of these facilities would not only help to restore public confidence in the territory’s healthcare system, but also represent a significant infrastructure investment as the territory works to attract economic investment. In addition, state-of-the-art facilities could encourage persons who seek medical care off island to remain in the territory, thereby reducing the amount of healthcare dollars that are spent outside of the territory.
