Governor Bryan will deliver his 7th State of the Territory Address tonight. Photo Credit: V.I. LEGISLATURE
Governor Albert Bryan Jr. will deliver his penultimate State of the Territory Address tonight, heading into his seventh year as leader of the U.S. Virgin Islands. He enters this address with several headwinds facing the territory and his administration, along with a seachange in Washington D.C. that is already impacting life here.
The address is typically two hours long, and the governor is expected to cover a wide range of topics while highlighting what the administration views as its victories.
WAPA is one area of such success, the administration believes. Mr. Bryan is likely to remark that the cost of electricity will decrease under his watch — a promise he's made several times — based on strides made at the utility. From installation of new, more efficient, stable and versatile power generation units, to new renewable energy facilities delivering power to WAPA cheaper.
The governor will also point to successes with road construction and infrastructure development, though some will contend that those efforts are moving too slow. It remains to be seen whether he will address retroactive payments to former and current government employees — a promise he made, but broke.
As he highlights progress made, the territory's leader is expected to confront head on the troubles facing the USVI, among them the cost of living which the administration blames on inflationary pressures.
Of major impact in the U.S.'s 47th president, Donald Trump, who has already enacted sweeping change in his first week in office. Mr. Trump has said he will sign an executive order to reform or disband the Federal Emergency Management Agency altogether, an action that would have far-reaching impact on the USVI, with over $15 billion for the territory's disaster recovery on the line. According to Mr. Trump, FEMA moves painstakingly slow, and that funds would be better served being sent directly to state and local governments.
Additionally, President Trump has signed an executive order calling for the deportation of illegal immigrants, and the repercussions are already being felt in the USVI, with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirming to the Consortium Sunday night that raids are already taking place in the USVI and Puerto Rico.
The address will be delivered in the territory's capital, Charlotte Amalie St. Thomas, at the Earl B. Ottley Legislature at 7pm. It will be carried live on several platforms, including the V.I. Legislature's Facebook page, Youtube, WTJX (with commentary to follow), and on LEGIT TV.
