Governor Bryan is ushered into the Legislature by Senator Novelle Francis to deliver his 2021 State of the Territory Address. Photo Credit: THE V.I. LEGISLATURE
Governor Albert Bryan on Monday will deliver his fourth and last State of the Territory Address before his first term in office ends. The address was previously scheduled for January 10, but Mr. Bryan requested a delay to the 24th, citing rapid spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19. The virus's spread has since leveled off, with cases tumbling from an early January high of nearly 4,000 active infections, to 1,456 as of Wednesday.
Even so, access to the Legislature is restricted to invited guests, according to a release from the Legislature. "All persons in attendance will be required to present a negative Covid-19 test prior to entry into the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall and masks must be worn for the duration of the session," reads a portion of the release.
Senate President Donna Frett-Gregory said she wants to hear the governor discuss strategies to address critical issues facing the territory. “I am looking forward to hearing plans surrounding education, the economy, infrastructure, ongoing recovery efforts and improvements to our healthcare system," she said.
What to Expect from Governor Bryan
It's Mr. Bryan's last State of the Territory Address before his first term comes to an end. More importantly, it's also an election year, and the governor is expected to face challenges from opponents who have yet to announce their intention to run for office.
Accomplishments
The governor will spend considerable time highlighting the administration's accomplishments in a bid to convince the electorate that he is worthy of a second term. Expect to hear Mr. Bryan list accomplishments relative to historic funding allocations for disaster recovery, ongoing territory-wide road repairs, and major local projects underway, including many at the V.I. Port Authority, led by VIPA's Executive Director Carlton Dowe.
Expect to hear Mr. Bryan talk about making major gains on the government's effort to come current on paying tax refunds owed to Virgin Islanders. In October 2021, the governor told the Consortium, "We're going to catch up this fiscal year. We're going to be current this fiscal year. Before election we're going to be current."
While Covid-19 was a worldwide disaster unlike none before it, the general consensus is that the Bryan administration handled the pandemic well, and Mr. Bryan could use this consensus to bolster his argument for reelection.
Speaking of Covid-19, the territory has some $547 million to spend thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act. The Bryan administration is getting ready to release $40 million through a program called Premium Pay to Virgin Islanders in the public and private sectors who worked through the pandemic. He could also announce more planned use of the funds during his address.
Challenges
It would be unwise, however, to spend the entire night on accomplishments even as the U.S. Virgin Islands continues to face considerable headwinds in the economy, education, healthcare and other areas. The governor could use a portion of his two-hour address to unveil plans to tackle those problems, or announce that strategies already in place have been working.
How to Watch
The Consortium will carry the livestream on our website and Facebook page. It starts at 7:00 p.m. and will also be shown on Viya’s Channel 26 and 27 on Viya, WTJX Channel 12 on Viya and Dish; on radio at 91.9FM, 93.1FM, 107.9FM and 970AM, 1620AM, 103.5FM, 90.7FM (St. Kitts); on the internet livestream at www.legvi.org, and via social media platforms such as USVI Legislature on Facebook and YouTube.
