Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has signed the fiscal year 2027 budget, authorizing funding for government operations, hospitals, education, infrastructure and other public services. The package includes $739.2 million from the General Fund for government operations, along with separate appropriations for the territory’s hospitals, the University of the Virgin Islands, the Waste Management Authority and other public institutions.
Bryan’s approval letter to Senate President Milton Potter, dated Friday, October 2, lists 27 budget-related bills and separately approves legislation renewing government insurance coverage. The measures passed the 36th Legislature on September 25 and reached the governor’s office on September 28. Government House announced the signing on October 3, two days after the start of the fiscal year, which runs through September 30, 2027.
The main government operations appropriation, contained in Bill No. 36-0384, totals $739,218,837. Separate measures provide $66.5 million for the Virgin Islands Hospital and Health Facilities Corporation, approximately $34.1 million for the University of the Virgin Islands and $32.5 million in General Fund support for the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority.
Capital improvement funding totals $5 million across the three islands. St. Croix’s Capital Improvement Fund receives $2 million, while the corresponding funds for St. Thomas and St. John each receive $1.5 million.
The approved package also includes $49,534,620 for the judicial branch, the Judicial Council and the Office of the Territorial Public Defender, along with $26,121,131 for the Legislature. Other appropriations support the Department of Education, public works and transportation, tourism, elections, the Board of Education, the Career and Technical Education Board, the Office of the Inspector General and the Public Services Commission.
Education-related measures include $500,000 for the final editing, proofing and printing of hardcover Virgin Islands history textbooks and completion of the kindergarten-through-eighth-grade social studies curriculum. Bryan also approved Bill No. 36-0390, which reprograms previously appropriated Education Department funding to pay current and prior-year obligations of the department and the Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance. Government House also said Bryan approved legislation revising how money deposited into the Virgin Islands Water and Power Generating and Infrastructure Fund is allocated.
“This budget allows us to continue the work of delivering the services our people depend on while keeping the government on stable financial footing,” Bryan said. “Throughout our administration, we have worked to bring greater discipline and predictability to the budgeting process, while making the investments necessary to strengthen our communities and create opportunities for the future. As we enter this new fiscal year, our responsibility remains the same: use the resources entrusted to us wisely and continue delivering results for the people of the Virgin Islands.”
The signing follows legislative debate in which senators raised concerns about revenue collections, unpaid obligations from earlier fiscal years and the timely use of federal funding. As the Consortium reported after the September 25 vote, lawmakers described the spending plan as conservative while stressing the need for improved tax collections and tighter oversight of government spending.
Separately, Bill No. 36-0389 ratifies the first renewals of group life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance and group vision insurance, as well as the third renewal of group medical health insurance. It also ratifies the second renewals of voluntary, employee-paid critical illness, accidental injury and hospital care insurance.
The FY2027 budget is the final executive spending plan submitted by the Bryan-Roach administration, according to Government House. When Bryan sent his proposal to the Legislature in May, the administration identified infrastructure, recreation, housing, fiscal stability and continued economic development as priorities.
Bryan thanked lawmakers for completing their work on the budget and other measures before the fiscal year began. “I thank the members of the 36th Legislature for their work on behalf of the people of the Territory,” he said. “There will always be areas where the executive and legislative branches may approach an issue differently, but completing the budget is one of our most important shared responsibilities. What matters now is putting these resources to work effectively for the people we serve."
