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 …
March 11, 2021
March 8, 2021
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 …
February 26, 2021
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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February 19, 2021
‘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 …
January 22, 2021
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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January 18, 2021
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. …
January 14, 2021
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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January 14, 2021
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 …
January 9, 2021
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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December 17, 2020
‘Conservative’ Covid-era budget passes
After discussing the financial challenges and uncertain future tied to the Covid-19 pandemic, the House of Assembly passed the $402 million 2021 budget on Tuesday. “Are we out of the …
December 13, 2020
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 …
December 3, 2020
A ‘green’ house: HOA to go paperless
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 …
November 12, 2020
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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November 5, 2020
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 …
October 22, 2020
Virgin Islands Youth Parliament relaunches
In his first address as premier of the newly relaunched Virgin Islands Youth Parliament, Kevin Fahie pledged to be a role model. “Now more than ever, the territory’s youth need …
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October 20, 2020
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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October 5, 2020
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, …
October 5, 2020
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 …
October 1, 2020
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 …
October 1, 2020
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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October 1, 2020
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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September 13, 2020
Hundreds left out of housing programme
Shortly after hurricanes Irma and Maria caused an estimated $572 million in damage to nearly 7,000 residential buildings across the territory, Virgin Islands leaders announced a plan to spend more …
September 2, 2020
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 …
September 1, 2020
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 …
August 26, 2020
Nursing bill would open door for diversity in field
Proposed legislation regulating the licensing, practice and discipline of nursing and midwifery is awaiting debate in the House of Assembly. The Nurses and Midwives Act 2020 came for a first reading …
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