Governor John Rankin assented to 13 bills last month, bringing into effect legislation that deals with issues ranging from gun violations to birth and death certificates. The Explosives (Amendment) Act, …
Complaints Commission sees sharp drop in reports
In examining the work of the Complaints Commissioner’s Office during a hearing focused largely on budgetary issues and the hurricane recovery, the Commission of Inquiry questioned current and former Complaints …
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COI probes ESHS wall project
The Commission of Inquiry called former Education and Culture Minister Myron Walwyn for a hearing on July 1 concerning an unfinished project to build a perimeter wall around Elmore Stoutt …
First VI Day celebrated quietly
With Virgin Islandsthemed balloons decorating tables, the territorial song playing from speakers, tarts and guavaberry rum being shared, and employees sporting T-shirts with popular sayings like “One hand can’t clap,” …
Auditor general blasts farmer, fisher grants
The Premier’s Office “deliberately resisted” providing information on “excessive amounts” spent on the Covid-19 farming and fishing stimulus despite numerous requests from Auditor General Sonia Webster, she told the Commission …
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Laws to crack down on financial crimes
To help the territory stay abreast of changing international standards, the House of Assembly passed a trio of bills last week aimed at countering money laundering, terrorism and proliferation financing. …
Lawmakers to get paid after leaving office
Legislators will continue to receive their full salary for at least two years after they leave office under a new law that they passed in May and Governor John Rankin …
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Legislators’ interests declared late, or not at all
Concluding hearings for the first of six major topics it plans to investigate this summer, the Commission of Inquiry called legislators from the present and past to answer for their …
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COI calls former legislators
Besides questioning current members of the House of Assembly over the past week, the Commission of Inquiry also called former members as it sought information about elected officials’ interests. Like …
Cabinet Briefs (May 28 and June 2, 2021)
Governor John Rankin chaired Cabinet meetings on May 28 and June 2 at the Financial Services Commission’s Conference Room. Transportation, Works and Utilities Minister Kye Rymer was absent on May …
Inquiry probes Registry of Interests, assistance grants
Focusing on elected officials’ financial interests and how they go about allocating $1.8 million each year in assistance grants, the Commission of Inquiry resumed public hearings again this week. COI …
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COI tests lawmakers’ transparency claims
Commissioner Sir Gary Hickinbottom put elected officials’ claims to be “champions of transparency” to the test last week, suggesting that they should have no objection to his Commission of Inquiry …
Cabinet Briefs (May 19, 2021)
Governor John Rankin chaired a Cabinet meeting on May 19 at the Financial Services Commission’s conference room in Pasea. All members were present. During the meeting, Cabinet took the following …
Speaker defends lawmakers’ COI response
Two days after the Commission of Inquiry again criticised the government for failing to provide complete information on request, Speaker of the House Julian Willock issued a statement on June …
In inquiry, ex-top cop Matthews slams barge plan
During a hearing before the Commission of Inquiry last month, former Police Commissioner Michael Matthews slammed the government’s decision to rent three barges to help patrol the territory’s borders in …
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Inquiry airs hearing live for first time
The Commission of Inquiry’s first livestreamed hearing began promptly at 10 a.m. on June 2, but it went off the air about two hours later due to technical difficulties. Commissioner …
COI grills premier, staff over alleged missing info
Claiming that initial requests for government documents came up short, the Commission of Inquiry grilled Premier Andrew Fahie and his staff last month about contracts awarded to consultant Claude Skelton-Cline …
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COI probes contracts, airport, barges
Recently released transcripts show that Commission of Inquiry hearings held on May 11 and May 13 focused on topics including the development of the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, the …
Cabinet Briefs (May 12, 2021)
Governor John Rankin chaired a Cabinet meeting on May 12 at the Financial Services Commission’s Conference Room in Pasea. All members were present. During the meeting, Cabinet took the following …
Premier, COI contradict each other on hearings
Premier Andrew Fahie said again on May 20 that he believes all hearings before the Commission of Inquiry should be broadcast live for transparency’s sake, but the COI responded the …
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Cabinet Briefs (April 28 and May 5, 2021)
Governor John Rankin chaired Cabinet meetings on April 28 and May 5 at the Financial Services Commission’s Conference Room in Pasea. All members were present. April 28 meeting During the …
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Crown land for affordable housing?
Legislators recently discussed options for designating Crown land for residents interested in becoming first-time homeowners across the territory. In the question-and-answer segment in May 13’s House of Assembly sitting, Opposition …
Soapbox derby draws daredevils
Crowds packed along the two lanes leading to H. Lavity Stoutt Community College on Whit Monday, at the end of which sat two tall plywood ramps, each outfitted with a …
Penn asks about status of district funding
Opposition Leader Marlon Penn asked on May 13 in the House of Assembly about the availability of $200,000 that was allocated to each district under the “civil mitigation vote” in …
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HOA broadens ‘explosives’ definition
Following a recent string of violent crimes in the territory, the House of Assembly has passed legislation to widen the definition of “explosives” to allow more aggressive prosecution of gun-related …