Senators Approve Two Superior Court Nominees, 32 Budgetary Bills During Rules Committee Hearing

  • Maxiene K. Cabo
  • September 29, 2020
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Attorney Sigrid M. Tejo-Sprotte and Attorney Alphonso G. Andrews. By. VI Legislature

Lawmakers on Monday during a Committee on Rules and Judiciary hearing in St. Thomas passed 32 budget bills, and vetted and favorably voted on both of Governor Bryan's nominees for the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands.

Mr. Bryan nominated Attorney Sigrid M. Tejo-Sprotte for the Superior Court in the St. Thomas-St. John District, and Attorney Alphonso G. Andrews to the district of St. Croix. Both attorneys are natives of St. Croix and served as U.S assistant attorneys general, and have decades of experience between them.  

Ms. Tejo-Sprotte attended St. Dunston's Episcopal High School and graduated from Manor School. Upon graduation, she went to  Stetson University in Florida, where she graduated with a master's in education in 1991. In 2000, Ms. Tejo-Sprotte noticed she had a passion for law and decided to apply for law school. Soon after, she was accepted to the Franklin Pierce Law Center, known today as the University of New Hampshire Law School. She graduated with her law degree in 2003 at the institution.

In 2009 Ms. Tejo-Sprotte returned to the Virgin Islands, where she accepted a job with the V.I. Department of Justice's Office of Collective Bargaining as an assistant attorney general of labor. Later on, she transitioned to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Division of St. Thomas and St. John. In 2019 she accepted the position as director of the White Collar Crime unit at the V.I. D.O.J.

"I would also like to thank the governor for having confidence in my ability to serve this community as a judge of the Superior Court," said Ms. Tejo-Sprotte. "I believe that my knowledge, experience, and strong work ethic will allow me to contribute significantly to assisting the Superior Court in achieving its mission of protecting the rights and liberties of all litigants that come before it."

Along with his fellow nominee, Attorney Andrews was born and raised on the island of St. Croix. He attended Central High School and graduated from the College of the Virgin Islands in 1975, now known as the University of the Virgin Islands.

Upon receiving his law degree from the University of Maryland in 1986, Mr. Andrews clerked for Judge Raymond L. Finch. Soon after, Mr. Andrews served as an assistant attorney general for the V.I.D.O.J.. One year later, he joined the U.S. Attorney's Office as a federal prosecutor.

In 1994, Governor Alexander A. Farrelly nominated Mr. Andrews to the territorial court bench where he served a six-year term. Mr. Andrews returned to the U.S Attorney's Office in 2001, and is currently serving as deputy criminal chief.

"I am extremely humbled and thankful for the rare opportunity to serve my community," said Mr. Andrews. "If confirmed, I would aim for excellence and be ever conscious of the send of awe of the power exerted by a judge and of the importance of every decision regardless of the status of the parties involved."

After the committee favorably voted on the governor's nominees for the Superior Court, lawmakers continued the hearing by moving along with the budgetary process. They voted and passed 32 measures from the Committee on Finance reviewed during budget hearings. These bills will be moved to the full body for further consideration adopted with a close rule condition. The close rule condition means no amendments may be offered other than amendments recommended by the Committee of Finance.

The Committee of the Whole will consider the following bills:

Bill No. 33-0377 An Act providing an appropriation from the General Fund of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the operation of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021 (Sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis, Senator Kurt Vialet)

Bill No. 33-0378 An Act providing an appropriation from the Anti-Litter and Beautification Fund to the Waste Management Authority and the Department of Public Works for Operating Expenses during the Fiscal Year October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021 (Sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis, Senator Kurt Vialet)

Bill No. 33-0379 An Act providing an appropriation for the Operating Expenses of the Virgin Islands Board of Education from the General Fund during the Fiscal Year October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021 (Sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis, Senator Kurt Vialet)

Bill No. 33-0380 An Act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the Fiscal Year October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021 (Sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis, Senator Kurt Vialet)

Bill No. 33-0381 An Act providing an appropriation from the Business and Commercial Properties Revolving Fund of the Government of the Virgin Islands to the Department of Property and Procurement for operating expenses during the Fiscal Year October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021 (Sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis, Senator Kurt Vialet)

Bill No. 33-0382 An Act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Career and Technical Education Board from the General Fund of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the Fiscal Year October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021 (Sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis, Senator Kurt Vialet)

Bill No. 33-0383 An Act providing an appropriation from the Caribbean Basin Initiative Fund for the Fiscal Year October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021 (Sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis, Senator Kurt Vialet)

Bill No. 33-0384 An Act providing an appropriation for the operation of the Judicial Branch of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021(Sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis, Senator Kurt Vialet)

Bill No. 33-0385 An Act providing an appropriation for salaries and expenses of the Board of Elections and the Office of the Supervisor the fiscal year October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021(Sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis, Senator Kurt Vialet)

Bill No. 33-0386 An Act providing for the lump-sum appropriation from the Health Revolving Fund for

fiscal year October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021(Sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis,

Senator Kurt Vialet)

Bill No. 33-0387 An Act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands

Hospital and Health Facilities Corporation from the General Fund of the Government of the Virgin

Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021(Sponsored by Senator Novelle

Francis, Senator Kurt Vialet)

Bill No. 33-0388 An Act to provide for the lump-sum appropriation from the Indirect Cost Fund for salaries, operating expenses, and for other purposes, of the Office of Management and Budget, the Division of Personnel, the Department of Property and Procurement, and the Department of Finance for the fiscal year October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021 (Sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis, Senator Kurt Vialet)

Bill No. 33-0389 An Act providing an appropriation for operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Office of the Inspector General from the General Fund of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021 (Sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis, Senator Kurt Vialet)

Bill No. 33-0390 An Act providing an appropriation for the sum of $14,500,000 from the Virgin Islands Insurance Guaranty Fund as a contribution to the General Fund for the fiscal year October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021 (Sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis, Senator Kurt Vialet)

Bill No. 33-0391 An Act amending Virgin Islands Code, Title 22, chapter 10, section 237(a)(3) (a) and Title 33, chapter 111, section 3061 relating to the balance in the Insurance Guaranty Fund to amend the currently required $20,000,000 amount, which is set to increase to $50,000,000 on September 30, 2020, to $30,000,000 (Sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis, Senator Kurt Vialet)

Bill No. 33-0392 An Act providing an appropriation for the sum of $1,100,000 from the Interest Earned on Debt Services Reserves as a contribution to the General Fund for the fiscal year October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021 (Sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis, Senator Kurt Vialet)

Bill No. 33-0393 An Act providing an appropriation from the Internal Revenue Matching Fund for the fiscal year October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021 (Sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis, Senator Kurt Vialet)

Bill No. 33-0394 An Act providing an appropriation for the operation of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021 (Sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis, Senator Kurt Vialet)

Bill No. 33-0395 An act providing an appropriation in  the sum of $78,960 from the V.I. Lottery as a contribution to the General Fund for the fiscal year October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021 (Sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis, Senator Kurt Vialet)

Bill No. 33-0396 An act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Public Employees Relations Board and the Labor Management Committee for the fiscal year October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021 (Sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis, Senator Kurt Vialet)

Bill No. 33-0397 An act providing an appropriation to the Public Services Commission for the fiscal year October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021 (Sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis, Senator Kurt Vialet)

Bill No. 33-0398 An act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Waste Management Authority from the Sewer System Fund of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021 (Sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis, Senator Kurt Vialet)

Bill No. 33-0400 An act providing an appropriation for the sum of $2,000,000  from the Internal Revenue matching fund as a contribution to the St. Croix capital improvement fund for the fiscal year October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021 (Sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis, Senator Kurt Vialet)

Bill No. 33-0401 An act providing an appropriation to the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission for  the fiscal year October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021 (Sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis, Senator Kurt Vialet)

Bill. No. 33-0402 An act providing an appropriation from the Tourism advertising revolving fund to the Office of Management and Budget, Virgin Islands Police Department, The Department of Public Works, the Virgins Islands Waste Management Agency, and the Department of Tourism during the fiscal year October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021 (Sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis, Senator Kurt Vialet)

Bill No. 33-0403 An act providing an appropriation from the Tourism advertising revolving fund to the Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation during the fiscal year October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021 (Sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis, Senator Kurt Vialet)

Bill No. 33-0404 An act providing an appropriation for the sum of $10,000,000 from the transportation trust fund as a contribution to the General Fund for the fiscal year October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021 (Sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis, Senator Kurt Vialet)

Bill No. 33-0405 An act providing an appropriation for the salaries and expenses of the University of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021 (Sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis, Senator Kurt Vialet)

Bill No. 33-0406 An act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses for the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority from the General Fund of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021 (Sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis, Senator Kurt Vialet)

Bill No. 33-0407 An Act to make FY20 funds available until expended by amending Act No. 8219, thereby providing funds for the renovation of the Board of Education's Guirty House and Act No. 8245 thereby providing funds for DPNR'S office relocation; DOE's VI History Books, Legislative civic education initiative, STEM summer project, Claude O. Markoe Steelpan Trolley, LEGVI's gasoline excise tax consultant/lobbyist, and DSPR funds for the sports commission and track and field federation equipment  (Sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis, Senator Kurt Vialet)

Bill No. 33-0408 An act providing an appropriation form the Government insurance fund of the Government of the Virgin Islands to the Department of Labor and the Department of Finance for operating expenses during the fiscal year October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021 (Sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis, Senator Kurt Vialet)

Bill No. 33-0409 An act amending Act No. 8171, Section 1(B) by changing GERS direct contribution to outstanding employer contributions only. (Sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis, Senator Kurt Vialet)

Bill No. 33-0413 An act making an appropriation of $250,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs for acquiring cannabis related software (Sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis, Senator Kurt Vialet)

Bill No. 33-0370 An Act appropriating $800,000 to the Virgin Islands Bureau of Motor Vehicles to renovate a building located at # 37,38, and 39 Norre Gade Kings Quarter, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands (Sponsored by Senator Janelle K. Sarauw, Kurt A. Vialet, Marvin Blyden

 

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