"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
The Speech from the Throne last week laid out an ambitious legislative agenda that could greatly benefit the territory. But it is a tall order. As usual, the government has …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Ambitious HOA agenda will require heavy lifting”
Six bills were introduced after the Speech from the Throne during the House of Assembly sitting on Tuesday afternoon. First, Premier Andrew Fahie motioned to introduce the first readings of …
About a month after the House of Assembly passed a nearly $400 million budget that members said would be used to steer the economic recovery following recent crises, a new …
Continue reading “Speech from the Throne lays out House of Assembly agenda”
After more than twelve hours of debate over two days, the House of Assembly on Dec. 15 passed a nearly $400 million budget for 2022, with almost $337 million put …
Continue reading “Government passes nearly $400 million 2022 budget”
Two contrasting pictures of the territory’s economic future emerged during the budget debate this week in the House of Assembly. Government legislators described 2021 as a successful year despite the …
Continue reading “Government aims for growth in 2022 budget”
On the heels of celebrating the inaugural 1949 Great March and Restoration Day, community members took to the streets in protest of poor school conditions, political victimisation, and other issues …
Following another year of economic struggles amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Premier Andrew Fahie promised a brighter 2022 during his budget address on Nov. 11. Government, he said, hopes to tap …
Following a debate that stressed the importance of sharing Virgin Islands history with new generations, the House of Assembly brought the Public Holidays Amendment Act, 2021 for first, second and …
The House of Assembly did not decide outright last week whether or not to excuse Speaker Julian Willock from personally paying more than $120,000 in legal fees he incurred while …
Continue reading “HOA sends Willock fee motion to committee”
We are appalled that the House of Assembly is considering putting taxpayers on the hook for $120,000 in legal fees racked up by HOA Speaker Julian Willock when he acted …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: A dozen better uses for $120,000”
A proposed new procurement law is designed to promote international commerce while ensuring that the government’s contractor selection process is transparent and fair to Virgin Islands businesses, according to Premier …
The House of Assembly last week voted once again to exempt Deputy Speaker Neville Smith from vacating his HOA seat because of two more government contracts for a firm where …
Continue reading “HOA okays two more Neville Smith contracts”
The House of Assembly passed a bill on Sept. 23 to merge the territory’s airport and seaport authorities into a new statutory body responsible for border management. But Premier Andrew …
Continue reading “HOA approves airport, seaport merger bill”
While lawmakers were working recently to avoid pandemic-related deficit spending, they saw some “interesting things” in the budget because of spending that was not “mindful,” Premier Andrew Fahie said in …
Continue reading “HOA okays almost $50m in spending changes”
After imposing an hour and a half maximum time for each member of the House of Assembly to voice their concerns under personal business, Speaker of the House Julian Willock …
Continue reading “Leaders make personal pleas for vaccination”
Over the course of two lengthy meetings, the House of Assembly determined that Jeanette Scatliffe-Boynes would continue to act as the director of the Social Security Board for a six-month …
Covid-19 continues to plague communities around the world, which government leaders said last week was a main motivator for passing harsher border-control legislation that could lead to a 10-year prison …
In the interest of supporting green industries, members of the House of Assembly passed a resolution on Aug. 26 to add certain energy-based goods to the list of zero-tax items …
If a pair of resolutions pass today in the House of Assembly, Jeanette Scatliffe-Boynes would continue to act as the director of the Social Security Board through the end of …
Continue reading “Social Security Board directorship debated”
Asked recently how much the government is paying the law firm Withersworldwide for representation during the ongoing Commission of Inquiry, Premier Andrew Fahie did not provide an exact figure. But …
Opposition Leader Marlon Penn sought a comprehensive list of Cabinet decisions during a recent House of Assembly sitting, but Premier Andrew Fahie declined to provide it, first claiming that it …
The Covid-19 pandemic has hampered numerous infrastructure projects in the territory by causing raw material shortages, delaying supply shipments, and limiting working hours. But progress nevertheless has been made, including …
Demolition and waterproofing work has progressed at the Ralph T. O’Neal Administration Complex this year despite complications caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Transportation, Works and Utilities Minister Kye …
The BVI Airports Authority development fund has been tapped for various uses in recent years, including multiple consultancies costing hundreds of thousands of dollars as well as investments in equipment …
During an emergency meeting on July 29, the House of Assembly approved the appointment of a new BVI Health Services Authority Board chairman, Moleto Smith Jr., who is based in …
Continue reading “New USVI-based health services chair approved”
