"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
Legislators are aiming to find a better balance in regulating non-profit organisations based in the Virgin Islands, they said this week as they debated a proposed amendment to the Non-Profit …
Continue reading “House of Assembly okays updates to nonprofit organisation rules”
Hoping to address long-standing issues with the territory’s jury pool that resulted in legal action in 2019, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley recently introduced a bill in the House of …
Legislators gave the green light last week to create a new statutory body to oversee water and sewerage, claiming the move will help rectify longstanding infrastructure problems that have plagued …
Cabinet’s July 20 decision to reduce the remittance tax — often criticised for targeting the territory’s poorest residents — got the green light from the House of Assembly on Tuesday. …
The framework for carrying out Commission of Inquiry recommendations includes a deluge of deadlines for July, but Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said last week that his National Unity Government …
The Virgin Islands is working with its Caribbean neighbours to help ensure the long-term health of key ecosystems, Natural Resources and Labour Minister Mitch Turnbull said on July 21 in …
Continue reading “VI, neighbours collaborate on environment”
On June 30, legislators missed their deadline to make the Register of Interests public and establish penalties for violating declaration rules. On July 21, however, they passed a bill to …
More than a month ago, the new National Unity Government agreed to work with the United Kingdom to carry out reforms recommended by the Commission of Inquiry — thereby avoiding …
Government recently withdrew a bill that would have opened the Register of Interests to the public and required senior civil servants to join House of Assembly members in declaring their …
Former premier Andrew Fahie came one step closer to losing his First District seat in the House of Assembly on July 19 when Speaker Corine George-Massicote refused to excuse his …
Continue reading “Speaker declines to excuse Fahie’s absence”
After missing at least part of three consecutive sittings of the House of Assembly while awaiting trial in Miami, former premier Andrew Fahie may be in danger of losing his …
First District Representative Andrew Fahie should resign his seat in the House of Assembly without further ado. If he refuses, he should be removed as soon as possible. Mr. Fahie, …
After business stakeholders raised concerns about several aspects of the Business Licensing Act passed two weeks ago in the House of Assembly, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley defended the bill …
A bill aimed at making the Virgin Islands business climate more competitive by updating and streamlining the licensing process passed with amendments in the House of Assembly last Thursday as …
Unanticipated expenses including security, arbitration, infrastructure, and public servant increments required legislators to approve supplementary spending for 2021 and 2022, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said on May 26 in …
Continue reading “House of Assembly green-lights 2021 supplementary spending”
The Virgin Islands government has paid out more than $8 million in responding to the United Kingdom-led Commission of Inquiry, most of which went toward covering legal fees, Premier Dr. …
Continue reading “Commission of Inquiry cost government more than $8 million”
Five bills passed by the House of Assembly over the past five years still await the governor’s assent, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said on May 26 in response to …
Government has spent nearly $1.5 million of $3.5 million allocated for a “water network improvement plan” via an August 2018 Cabinet memorandum, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said last Thursday …
Continue reading “Nearly $1.5 million spent on $3.5 million ‘water network’ plan”
After accepting Speaker of the House Julian Willock’s resignation on May 3, members of the House of Assembly selected attorney Corine George-Massicote as his replacement Thursday morning. Ms. George-Massicote said …
Continue reading “Corine George-Massicote selected as new HOA Speaker”
Though government paid the United Kingdom-headquartered law firm Withers LLP $6.5 million for representation during the Commission of Inquiry, not all branches of government benefited from the firm’s services, according …
Continue reading “$6.5 million paid to Withers during inquiry”
With 10 votes in favour and one absence from Health and Social Development Minister Carvin Malone, the House of Assembly unanimously passed a no-confidence resolution on Thursday calling to revoke …
Continue reading “UPDATE: House votes to oust Premier Andrew Fahie”
The evening of April 19, legislators emerged from closed-door committee to announce that the 143-page bill meant to overhaul outdated rules for fishing, farming and other food supply issues passed …
Though only first-time homeowners will now benefit, the House of Assembly recently voted to continue exempting belongers from paying stamp duty when buying land. Premier Andrew Fahie presented the Stamps …
Two House of Assembly members got the green light for their businesses to secure government contracts during a March 10 sitting. House Deputy Speaker Neville Smith was exempted from vacating …
Continue reading “HOA okays government contracts for 2 members”
New legislation making its way through the House of Assembly could result in significant changes to how people in the Virgin Islands grow, catch, raise, import, export and sell food. …
