Governor de Jongh Finalizes Action on Bills Passed
by the Senate and Due Back at the Legislature Today

On the day eighteen measures were due back at the Legislature, having been approved by the Senate in a recent formal session of the body, Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr. finalized his review of the bills. 

Bill No. 28-0071 which enacts the Virgin Islands Uniform Emergency Volunteer Health Practitioners Act. “I approved this measure to ensure that in a state of emergency, the territory will have access to the maximum possible resources to provide aid to residents and tourists. This measure will allow volunteer health practitioners to serve in cases of emergency, and therefore, supplement the territory’s available resources.”

The governor approved Bill 28-0199 amending the noise pollution control act. He also approved Bill 28-0143, a measure to create the Centennial Commission in preparation for the Virgin Islands 100th Anniversary in 2017. “As this time draws close, my Administration has already begun planning for this significant event in Virgin Islands history by making plans to restore historical areas, facilitating the translation of Danish West Indian Archives, developing heritage and genealogical tourism, and communicating directly with the Secretary of the Interior about commemorative planning.” de Jongh also signed Bill No. 28-0159 which commemorates laborers on Fireburn Day as a day to be revered and remembered in the Virgin Islands. 

Pursuant to the recommendations of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, the governor also approved several zoning modification bills on Wednesday. “I approved Bill No. 28-0209 to allow for the development of a new Post Office facility in Cruz Bay, St. John. I signed Bill No. 28-0210 for rezoning on the island of St. Thomas.” As regards a rezoning modification on St. John, de Jongh said he carefully considered all comments from proponents and opponents, and the fact that this project has spanned several years, changed ownership, and that the down-zoning of this property from W-I to R-4 brings it into conformity with the adjacent and surrounding properties zoned R-4. “I signed Bill No. 28-0212 to facilitate the completion of the longstanding Grande Bay Project. It may be that if this project commenced today it would not be approved but we cannot ignore it is very much a reality, and its completion is the best outcome.”

Also signed into law was Bill 28-0176, to recognize the outstanding contributions of Cynthia Browne Stapleton to the profession of Nurse Midwifery, and names the Labor and Delivery area of the Eugenie T. Ford OB unit the “Cynthia V. Stapleton Labor and Delivery Unit."

Bill 28-0211 which would have imposed a mandate for the Government Employees’ Retirement System to notify an employee member of his or her outstanding obligation in sufficient time for that person to pay the obligation prior to receiving the first annuity payment fell victim to a gubernatorial veto on Wednesday. “I vetoed this legislation as the notification requirement is too vague to be enforceable since it requires action by GERS without a designated time period. I support the intent of the sponsors, and while mindful of the concerns that it is an unfunded mandate it is an obligation of the plan sponsor, the Government of the Virgin Islands, and GERS to rectify a historic neglect of its employees.” 

de Jongh vetoed Bill 28-0190 which proposed to enact legislation requiring that all employers who receive funding from the local government must staff at least 80% of local Virgin Islanders as employees and staff 50% of its managers as local Virgin Islanders. “While I favor the concept of ensuring that Virgin Islanders are granted opportunity in all areas of employment, this bill presents constitutional challenges on the even-handedness and fair application of the law. Further, the bill, as drafted, prevents codification since it provides absolutely no indication under which provision of the Virgin Islands Code it will fall. Therefore, I vetoed this bill as legislation of this magnitude must be appropriately codified to give proper notice to persons who are affected by its provisions.”

The governor also acknowledged two resolutions adopted by the Senate. The first petitions the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to terminate its receivership of the Williams Delight Housing Community on St. Croix and to transfer the units to the V.I. Housing Authority on the condition that those units are sold to residents of the units and other low-income Virgin Islanders. The second resolution honors and commends Virgin Islands native daughter, gold medalist, Allison Pauline Tanicia Peter, for her excellence in the sport of track and field. “I acknowledge Resolution 1746, and wholeheartedly join with the Legislature in bestowing accolades upon a Virgin Islands treasure and true role model to so many in our community,” de Jongh said Wednesday. 

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