This year started with the January launch of an investigation into alleged corruption in the Virgin Islands as then-Governor Gus Jaspert aired concerns about political intimidation and inappropriate use of …
Parks getting renovated
This year marked the 55th anniversary of the passage of the Recreation Trust Act (Cap 278), and Deputy Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said the trust is launching a series …
Farmers and Fishers Week to kick off Sunday
Starting Sunday, Farmers and Fishers Week will celebrate a sustainable, adaptable future in food production, according to Deputy Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley. The event marks the resumption of a …
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Speaker calls out governor on pending bills
Speaker of the House Julian Willock started last week’s House of Assembly sitting by levelling criticism at the Governor’s Office for not yet assenting to bills already approved by legislators. …
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Joes Hill housing ahead of schedule
Construction on affordable housing for first-time homeowners is set to finish 13 months ahead of schedule, according to Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Minister Vincent Wheatley. The Joes Hill development …
Government gave commission of inquiry 73k pages
The government so far has provided 3,977 official documents amounting to 72,902 pages to the United Kingdom commission of inquiry, Premier Andrew Fahie told the House of Assembly on April …
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New unemployment numbers released
In the latest update on how the pandemic has affected unemployment in the Virgin Islands, government said more than 14 percent of employees at businesses reporting to the Department of …
More students allowed on campus for final term
As students prepare for the final term of the 2020-21 school year, more of them will be permitted to attend class in person following recent decisions by Cabinet. But schools …
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Crime bills, others on HOA’s agenda
As Virgin Islands leaders call on the community to help curb crime in the territory, legislators will have an opportunity to debate proposed legislation concerning drugs, money laundering and more …
Under bill, whistleblowers could get 10 percent cut
Legislation protecting people who sound the alarm about corruption and other illegal activity in the public or private sector made it to the House of Assembly this month, and the …
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Bill would modernise birth, death records
Death and birth records in the Virgin Islands would get an overhaul for the digital age if the House of Assembly passes proposed legislation now on its agenda. Amid moves …
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Malone: Government working with man living at Stickett
The government has been working to try to find housing for a man who has been living at The Stickett in East End, Health and Social Development Minister Carvin Malone …
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Government saw $30 million revenue shortfall during 2020
Legislators have often discussed the financial hardship caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, but they hashed out some of the details during last week’s House of Assembly sitting. The territory was …
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HOA passes promised suite of e-legislation
A long-promised update to the legislative framework governing how the Virgin Islands conducts business online came through the House of Assembly over the past week as five related bills got …
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House passes data protection legislation
A bill that legislators said will help bring government services into the 21st Century while protecting users’ privacy passed the House of Assembly on March 5. “This is an exciting …
New bill passed to boost electronic transfers
A bill that would boost mobile commerce by regulating the electronic transfer of funds for both the public and private sectors passed unanimously Tuesday in the House of Assembly. Bipartisan …
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House to tackle digital data bills
The first House of Assembly sitting of 2021 is scheduled to kick off this week with a packed agenda that includes a slew of bills in the digital sphere up …
Premier again promises to reform VI governance
When then-Governor Gus Jaspert announced the commission of inquiry into possible corruption in the territory last month, he spoke about a longstanding need for legislative reforms designed to ensure good …
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‘Temporary layoffs’ get longer
The workforce furlough extension passed in the House of Assembly last year has been prolonged by another month and now lasts through the end of February, government announced. The move …
New licensing, investment bills considered
Businesspeople may have to navigate new regulations for getting licensed and making investments if the House of Assembly passes new bills it is currently considering. During a sitting this month, …
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HOA passes disaster management bill
The YouTube livestream of the House of Assembly’s Jan. 5 sitting concluded with members recessing into a closed-door committee that House Speaker Julian Willock said would resume at 10 a.m. …
Irma housing aid stops taking applications
Though the government’s Housing Recovery Assistance Programme was allocated a $9 million boost in May under the umbrella of a Covid-19 pandemic stimulus package funded mostly by the Social Security …
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Plans in motion to clear Pockwood scrap
Leaders recently commended the territory’s WE RECYCLE programme, which they said diverted an estimated 3,328 tonnes of recyclable materials from the incinerator and landfill to two established recycling centres. “This …
HOA debates disaster bill, passes other laws
In recent months, Virgin Islands leaders have placed focus on the role of self-determination in the territory’s future development as they plan a review of the 2007 Constitution. The House …
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As legislature turns 70, HOA looks ahead
As he spoke about the 1950 restoration of the Legislative Council, Premier Andrew Fahie compared the Virgin Islands to a lab rat that doesn’t realise the familiar glass borders to …