Government

Sarauw Says Backdoor Deals and Political Pressure Skewed Outcome of Vote for Horse Racing Bill That Gave Southland Gaming Decadeslong Exclusivity

Senator Janelle Sarauw on Monday expressed disappointment in the manner in which the vote of Bill 34-0224 occurred at the legislative session Thursday. The measure saw an 8-7 vote in favor of the bill’s passage, essentially providing Southland Gaming an exclusive contract to operate Video Lottery Terminals in the St. Thomas-St. John District until 2041, the senator said. “Besides the provisions in the bill, it was truly a sad day in Virgin Islands history to witness the orchestrated compromise of the vote entrusted to our duly elected leaders by our constituents. The Legislature is a deliberative body, and each Senator has one vote to cast, but the deliberate tainting of that process sets a bad precedent and calls to question more than just voting aptitude, but voting integrity,” stated Ms. Sarauw. Bill 34-0224 called for the 34th Legislature to ratify what the senator says is an unlawful 2003 contract "under the guise of restarting horse racing in the St. Thomas-St. John District," ...