The year 2020 marks the 70th anniversary of the restoration of the territory’s legislature, and as the year comes to a close members are taking action to make the House …
House agenda addresses life amid Covid-19
While this year’s Speech from the Throne delivered by Governor Gus Jaspert last Thursday in the House of Assembly repeated many familiar promises for digital advancement and overhauls of major …
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Jaspert gives final throne speech today
Governor Gus Jaspert is preparing for the end of his tenure at the start of the new year, when he will be replaced by current Bermuda Governor John Rankin. But …
Budget additions, stamp duty waiver affirmed
Nine resolutions recently approved by the House of Assembly appeared in the Gazette on Oct. 7, finalising an array of HOA decisions such as the addition of millions of dollars …
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House approves nursing, midwifery bill
A series of bills updating how medicine is practised in the Virgin Islands is going through the House of Assembly with the ultimate goal of improving medical services offered here, …
HOA reviews Vanterpool business deals
During the 24-hour daily curfew in the spring, some households began running out of food, so government organised the distribution of relief supplies packed by volunteers throughout the territory. Last …
Housing project slowed but progressing
Though the Covid-19 pandemic slowed work on government’s planned housing complex in Joes Hill, construction is still on track to be completed within the planned three-and-a-half years from when the …
TWU Ministry catching up on overdue invoices
In July, the Ministry of Transportation, Works and Utilities announced that it was attempting to repair its relationship with construction vendors by paying long overdue invoices for services rendered to …
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Labour tribunal found in violation of Constitution
Since the Labour Arbitration Tribunal started operating in 2015, it has received 25 dispute referrals but handed down only two formal decisions, Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Minister Vincent Wheatley …
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Gambling law guts rules in original bill
Gambling is now officially legal in the Virgin Islands, but it may not be as tightly controlled as legislators previously claimed. When Premier Andrew Fahie introduced the controversial gambling bill …
HOA approves reshuffle of 2020 budget
Because of government revenue losses during the Covid-19 pandemic, the House of Assembly recently decided to adjust the 2020 budget, approving $77 million in extra spending and shuffling tens of …
Telecommunications commission eyes $23m in uncollected levies
The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission failed to collect nearly $23 million in levies due from licensed operators since 2007, and it now has been charged with getting those funds, Premier Andrew …
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Scaled-back August Festival is on
Though the celebrations will look notably different from typical years, the August Emancipation Festival will still happen in the coming weeks despite the complications of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to …
Bridges burnt over unpaid government bills
The Transportation, Works and Utilities Ministry recently has struggled to secure the services of some construction vendors who refuse to assist until they get paid for past work, according to …
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Endangered species law passes House
A bill designed to protect the Virgin Islands’ natural resources passed the House of Assembly on Monday following a full day of closed-door deliberation. The Trade In Endangered Species (CITES) …
Labour relaxes new work-permit rules
On July 10, Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Minister Vincent Wheatley announced the immediate implementation of extra steps for businesses renewing work permits. This week, he walked back that plan …
HOA mulls bill to protect endangered species
The Anegada rock iguana, queen conch, frigate bird and turtle dove are just some of the Virgin Islands animals that could receive stronger protections under proposed legislation currently before the …
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Government looks to ban TBT paint, sewage dumping
Residents are being encouraged to support reef-friendly products as government works to phase out suntan lotions and antifouling paints containing chemicals harmful to marine life, Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration …
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Changes coming to road rules
A legislative overhaul is in the works for the rules of the road, Transportation, Works and Utilities Minister Kye Rymer said July 10 during a House of Assembly sitting. Mr. …
Jobless expats asked to leave
Government is instructing expatriates who are unemployed due to the Covid-19 pandemic to return to their home countries as soon as possible unless they have the requisite permission to seek …
Sweeping rewrite of police rules on table
Coming on the heels of widespread protests around the world concerning the death of George Floyd and the role of police in communities, the House of Assembly is considering a …
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NHI owes providers $4 million
The $7.5 million in Covid-19 relief funding earmarked to pay medical providers for their services rendered through the National Health Insurance system only went so far, and nearly $4 million …
Housing programme still doling out funds
As the territory advances into the height of the hurricane season, more residents are receiving help to rebuild their homes through the government’s Housing Recovery Assistance Programme, according to Deputy …
HOA passes bill to expunge pot crimes
A companion bill to the Cannabis Licensing Act, 2020 that would expunge the records of some people convicted for carrying small amounts of marijuana received the stamp of approval from …
Bill makes space for alternative medicine
While debating a bill that would update oversight for the practice of medicine, dentistry and alternative care in the territory, members of the House of Assembly also took a broader …
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