Politics

Are EDC Firms Hiring Required Number Of Locals? Sen. Roach Says His Bill, Vetoed By Mapp, Was Attempt To Find Out

ST. THOMAS -- Senator Tregenza A. Roach said on Tuesday via press release that he was compelled to respond to Governor Kenneth Mapp's veto of bill no. 31-0292, a measure Mr. Roach said was intended to change how companies which are granted economic benefits, in exchange for creating local employment, actually report their employment data. In a press release issued on Monday, the governor called the bill "ill-advised" and unfriendly to potential investors. According to Mr. Roach's release, the bill provides that when a non-resident is hired by an entity receiving economic incentives, that that person will be identified as a non-resident hire throughout the term of their employment for purposes of compliance with the agreement with the Government of the Virgin Islands. Mr. Roach said it is important to emphasize that the provisions of the bill do not operate to prevent the person so described from actually becoming a resident of the Virgin Islands for voting and other purposes....