Senate Approves $2.3 Million for UVI Free Tuition and $2.1 Million for St. John Power Cable Repairs

Lawmakers approved several major appropriations during Thursday’s Legislative Session, including $2.1 million for the Water and Power Authority to repair or replace the submarine electrical transmission cables that serve St. John, and $2.3 million for the University of the Virgin Islands’ free tuition program. The measures were among a series of special orders and non-germane amendments introduced during what became a marathon session. According to Senator Novelle Francis, chair of the Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance, the total amount of appropriations brought forward during the session reached $7,065,000. Mr. Francis placed the figure on the record and urged his colleagues to be “extremely careful.” The $2.1 million WAPA appropriation was included in Bill No. 36-0292, which was special ordered by At-Large Senator Angel Bolques Jr. The funding is intended for “the repair or replacement of the submarine electrical transmission cables that provide electricity to St. Jo...