Government

Senators Question Excessive Use of Government Vehicles at a Time When USVI is Reeling Financially

At a hearing before the Committee on Finance for the Office of Management and Budget, legislators questioned current spending habits of government officials at a time when the coronavirus pandemic is negatively impacting government finances.  According to OMB Director Jenifer O'Neal, fiscal year 2021 is anticipated to be a ‘recovery year’. Ms. O’Neal provided testimony Wednesday with members of her team to provide justification for $25.9 million for funding the agency.  But while OMB spoke of plans for the upcoming fiscal year, senators expressed concern with the administration even as the U.S. Virgin Islands continues to struggle financially with only two days cash on hand as of Monday, according to Governor Albert Bryan. In particular, Senator Kenneth Gittens spoke about the continued excessive use of government resources, despite COVID-19, in the form of taking government-issued vehicles to beaches, for example, and government executives traveling between islands with other emplo...