Governor Albert Bryan Jr. signs legislation enabling the repayment of the 8 percent government wages while Senate Vice President Novelle Francis Jr. and Senate President Donna Frett-Gregory look on. Photo Credit: GOVERNMENT HOUSE
Governor Albert Bryan on Monday signed into law a bill approved by the 34th Legislature that allows the repayment of the 8 percent wage cut exacted on government employees' salaries in 2011.
The Senate bill, which was passed instead of a selfsame measure forwarded to the Legislature from Mr. Bryan, makes provision for all payments to be remitted to the affected gov't employees during this fiscal year, as compared to the two fiscal years Mr. Bryan's measure proposed.
“As a result of our administration’s efforts, the Government of the Virgin Islands can make good on this and other long-standing obligations and realize additional revenue without having to add fees or raise taxes,” Mr. Bryan said, according to Gov't House. “For nine years of all kinds of different schemes to pay back the 8 percent owed to government employees, I am proud today to say that the Bryan-Roach Administration, because our management, our stewardship, our hard work and our taking care of your public dollars has set the Government of the Virgin Islands in a financial position to make those employees whole.”
According to Gov't House, Mr. Bryan said once the administration closes out Fiscal Year 2021 at the end of September, the government will use about $45 million to $50 million to begin sending checks repaying those employees who are eligible by November.
Mr. Bryan also thanked Democrats in the 34th Legislature for making the repayment of the 8 percent wages possible.
The governor was joined on St. Thomas for the signing by Senate President Donna Frett-Gregory and Senate Vice President Novelle Francis as he signed the legislation restoring the 8 percent reduction in salaries effected by the Virgin Islands Economic Stability Act of 2011 (VIESA), Act No. 7621, during the former Governor John P. de Jongh administration.
