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June 9, 2008
CITING THE NEED TO ADDRESS CRITICAL CHALLENGES AND URGENT NEEDS, GOVERNOR SUBMITS REPROGRAMMING BILL TO THE 27TH LEGISLATURE Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. Monday submitted legislation to the Virgin Islands Legislature which reprograms various funds in the Fiscal Year 2008 to address some critical challenges and urgent needs in the government. In a Monday transmittal letter to Senate President Usie R. Richards, deJongh wrote, several sections re-program funds in order to address the government’s increased utility costs for the remainder of the fiscal year. Section 7 of the legislation appropriates $5 million to compensate the Virgin Islands Water & Power Authority for unpaid government obligations, whether of the central government or semiautonomous agencies. "We all are aware of the financial challenges facing WAPA due to increasing fuel costs due to factors beyond our immediate financial control, and, consequently, the entire territory. These measures should assist in addressing some of WAPA’s woes. I must caution, however, that the payment of these monies, by itself, will not cure all of WAPA’s challenges. I will continue to pursue other avenues to assist WAPA and address the energy costs of the Virgin Islands," deJongh wrote. Other appropriations include monies to the Public Works Department to continue striping our roads; the Department of Justice, Bureau of Corrections, to cover the cost of housing defendants with issues of mental health in off-island facilities; funding to the Department of Planning and Natural Resources to commence work on the renovation of the Villa LaReine Fish Market on St. Croix; to the Department of Health for an ambulance boat to transport injured or ill persons from St. John to St. Thomas for medical treatment; and to the Bureau of Information Technology for continued funding our E-911 system. DeJongh pointed out that not all of the sections in this measure are appropriations. "Some non-appropriation matters include the proposal to transfer the duties of the Stock Exchange Task Force to the Office of the Governor in Section 26. This move will provide the Government with an enhanced ability to pursue the investigation of the feasibility of a stock exchange in the Virgin Islands, and, if feasible, the ability to initiate the steps required to build the infrastructure and other items necessary for the proper functioning of such an entity." Section 25 moves the responsibilities of the Tax Study Commission to the Office of Management and Budget. "This move, while placing more responsibility on OMB, positions OMB to make recommendations on the government’s revenue generating measures which directly impact the annual budget of the Virgin Islands," deJongh wrote. The proposal to reprogram $23.3 million of funds that were appropriated in the prior years and made "available until expended", and will be funded from current year revenues. "As you know, the FY 08 appropriation level currently stands at $851 million. The Administration’s revised FY08 revenue projection is $824.3 million resulting in a projected shortfall of $26.7 million. We will manage the fiscal situation through the allotment process," deJongh told lawmakers on Monday. DOWNLOAD: Text of Governor's Reprogramming Bill |
