The House of Assembly suspended its usual rules on Monday to introduce and pass two financial services bills designed to avoid international sanction by bringing the territory in line with …
September 19, 2024
September 19, 2024
House tackling last COI reform
The House of Assembly began tackling its final Commission of Inquiry reform this week as legislators debated the first of five bills designed to improve the governance of five statutory …
August 15, 2024
HOA okays vetting law enforcers
Certain prison, customs and immigration officers could soon be subject to new vetting requirements under a bill the House of Assembly passed recently in accordance with a Commission of Inquiry …
August 2, 2024
HOA limits Cabinet’s power over contracts
Despite dissent from five opposition members, the House of Assembly narrowly voted on Tuesday to dramatically limit Cabinet’s discretion over contract awards in keeping with recommendations from the 2022 Commission …
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July 18, 2024
Guv’s inquiry bill sparks cries of ‘dictatorship’
On Tuesday in the House of Assembly, two legislators used the word “dictatorship” to decry a bill that Governor Daniel Pruce is proposing to modernise the Commission of Inquiry Act …
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July 12, 2024
HOA shoring up assistance programme
The House of Assembly passed a bill Tuesday that aims to further reform the Assistance Grants Programme, which has been dramatically revamped over the past two years in keeping with …
May 30, 2024
Immigration bill passes with amendments
The Immigration and Passport Amendment Bill, 2024, passed with amendments on Friday after the House of Assembly returned from a closed-door committee session, according to HOA Public Relations Officer Linton …
May 24, 2024
HOA debates 20-year path to belongership
A 20-year residence requirement for belongership applicants is among the broad-ranging immigration reforms proposed under a bill currently under consideration in the House of Assembly. The Immigration and Passport Amendment …
April 11, 2024
HOA votes to change Register of Interests
House of Assembly members voted this week to make changes to their Register of Interests, but the extent of those changes is not clear because a bill they passed Tuesday …
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March 25, 2024
Bill keeps restrictions on interests register
When lawmakers voted in July 2022 to make the Register of Interests public as advised by the Commission of Inquiry, they also added several viewing restrictions that drew strong criticism …
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March 15, 2024
HOA votes to up penalties for withholding stats
As part of efforts to help government collect information as the census continues, lawmakers have passed a bill designed to impose harsher penalties on people who withhold statistics they are …
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March 14, 2024
Property tax, buildings bills passed in HOA
The property tax and buildings bills were among legislation passed in House of Assembly this week. The Property Tax (Amendment) Bill 2023, which passed with amendments on March 5, is …
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January 11, 2024
Premier fumes as governor seeks new powers
Governor John Rankin drew the ire of elected leaders last week when he announced plans to seek additional powers to push through delayed Commission of Inquiry reforms. Premier Dr. Natalio …
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May 6, 2023
Opposition comes out swinging
The new opposition members presented a united front while making their first public appearance together on April 27 during a press conference. Expressing collective frustration, they gave a blow-by-blow account …
April 20, 2023
Three of four party leaders field questions
For more than 20 years, a party system has dominated Virgin Islands politics, and this year may be no different. As in 2019, four parties are contending the general election, …
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April 20, 2023
Interview: Skelton asks for a chance for PVIM
This interview is one of three conducted with party leaders ahead of the 2023 general elections. To read the others, click here. The Progressive Virgin Islands Movement was born in …
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March 3, 2023
Pool of election hopefuls grows
As campaigns heat up for the general election due by May 12, the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement launched a partial line-up, and at least two independent candidates entered the fray …
June 24, 2021
COI calls former legislators
Besides questioning current members of the House of Assembly over the past week, the Commission of Inquiry also called former members as it sought information about elected officials’ interests. Like …
May 7, 2021
Ronnie Skelton heading new board at the RDA
The agency established to lead the territory’s recovery from the 2017 hurricanes is under new leadership, with former legislator Ronnie Skelton chairing the board. Premier Andrew Fahie announced April 29 …
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February 21, 2019
Potential coalition would be first in 33 years
For the youngest voters in next week’s general election, a coalition government may be an unfamiliar concept. For their entire lives, Virgin Islands politics has been dominated by a two-party …
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February 18, 2019
Skelton looks to chart new path with PVIM
The Progressive Virgin Islands Movement was born late last year when legislators Ronnie Skelton and Mitch Turnbull publicly broke rank with the governing National Democratic Party, which Mr. Skelton helped …
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January 31, 2019
‘No different to you:’ Scatliffe appeals to D-4
Though he’s running for office, Karl Scatliffe wants voters to see him as an everyman. “I’ve had the opportunity of working in many areas, and met with many persons,” he …
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January 25, 2019
PVIM hits campaign trail in CGB, JVD
A new face joined the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement during rallies in Cane Garden Bay and Jost Van Dyke this weekend: the party’s fourth and final at-large candidate, Lesmore Smith. …
December 22, 2018
Ronnie Skelton replaces Andrew Fahie at helm of opposition
At-large representative Ronnie Skelton has been appointed opposition leader, replacing First District Representative Andrew Fahie, Governor Gus Jaspert announced Friday. Mr. Jaspert said he received a letter from Mr. Skelton …
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December 6, 2018
Progressive Virgin Islands Movement to launch Friday
The breakaway Progressive Virgin Islands Movement, led by recently ousted Health and Social Development Minister Ronnie Skelton, is officially launching tomorrow. But even before the launch, the new political party …
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