Governor Albert Bryan during his 2022 State of the Territory Address. Photo Credit: V.I. LEGISLATURE
Governor Albert Bryan Jr’s 2025 State of the Territory Address did not occur on the second Monday in January as stipulated by the Revised Organic Act of 1954. Instead, the newly sworn-in 36th Legislature has permitted Mr. Bryan to present his address two weeks later, on January 27th, at 7 pm.
“As you are aware, the upcoming presidential inauguration and the Virgin Island Senate swearing-in ceremony coincide closely with this date. These significant events hold great importance for our community and require the full participation of our leaders and constituents,” wrote Mr. Bryan in correspondence shared with the Legislature. He continued, “I believe it is vital to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to attend and engage in these essential activities.”
The legislative majority, led by Senator Kurt Vialet, agreed with the governor, and in turn, voted in favor of his request. Senators Alma Francis Heyliger and Dwayne DeGraff, two-thirds of the legislative minority, did not support Mr. Bryan’s desire to postpone the State of the Territory Address. Meanwhile, Senator Franklin Johnson abstained from the vote.
The 2024 State of the Territory Address — which took place on the fourth of January of that year — focused on the sustainability of the Water and Power Authority, the Rebuild USVI initiative, and a series of infrastructural projects including the substantially complete Clinton E Phipps Racetrack, six Head Start sites and the planned reopening of several storm-damaged libraries.
What the governor will choose to highlight in this year’s address remains to be seen, however Virgin Islanders across the territory seem particularly interested in the health of the economy, public safety, the government’s mounting debt, delays in key infrastructure projects, newly announced salary increases for government officials, and recent incidents of alleged public corruption.
