HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_014502.jpg

Tuesday, December 13, 2016 VIRGIN ISLANDS The Virgin Islands Daily News 5 Mapp turns to new taxes in accepting court ruling on 8% government pay cut By JONATHAN AUSTIN Daily News Staff Gov. Kenneth Mapp said Monday he believes the territory must accept a federal court ruling that found a 2011 government employee pay cut uncon- stitutional. “After reviewing the case with the at- torney general and reviewing the case with our financial team, I really am of the mind that the government of the Virgin Islands should make good on this claim,” Mapp said. He said he wants the Legislature to sign on to a plan to pay the claim and address other issues by approving in- creased sin taxes, taxes on time-share occupants, and changes that set a minimum tax for property owners who claim tax credits. He said the lawsuit judgement is val- ued at $65 million. “We will include all workers affected by the cut. In unions, all unions, and out of unions,” Mapp said. The territory had asked the full 3rd US. Circuit Court of Appeals to recon- sider the judgement, which was penned by three of the court’s judges. The court rejected that request Mon- day. The governor made his comments Today The Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety Committee will meet at 9 a.m. in the Lawaetz Con- ference Room on St. Croix to get an update on the V.I. Police Department, the V.I. Corrections Bureau and the VI. Health Department. Wednesday The Finance Committee will meet at 9a.m. in the Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas to consider a bill relating to the International Banking Center Regulatory Act and a bill re- appropriating $2 million of Luis Hos- during a press conference Monday morning on St. Croix. The conference originally had been scheduled for Friday on St. Thomas, but was delayed for no stated reason. Mapp also announced he has in- voked public exigency authority to fast track road repairs in the territory. He described public exigency as “sort of a public emergency” declara- tion that should allow the government to more quickly award repair contracts for roadways that have deteriorated following extensive rainfall. Mapp said he has consulted with federal authorities and hopes to access existing highway project funds “to use them to get the primary road system and secondary road system repaired.” He said the work will be done under existing federal road require- ments, meaning they include proper drainage, sidewalks, striping and other elements, “‘all compliant with federal highway and DOT standards.” Regarding the 3rd Circuit ruling on the 8 percent cuts enacted through the VI. Economic Stability Act of 2011, Mapp said the territory could pay off the amounts due to employees in two years if plaintiffs in the case give the government time to make good. He said the payments can be satis- Senate Agenda pital appropriations for the use of the HVAC project. Thursday The Rules and Judiciary Com- mittee will meet at 9 a.m. in Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas to consider bills that include a bill to in- crease the Emergency Services Sur- charge from $1 to $2; a bill providing for the disposition of proceeds from the rental or sale of housing units ac- quired in the Limetree Bay Terminals operating agreement to a bill regard- ing the establishment of credit unions and their oversight; and a bill creating the V.I. Risk-Based Capital for Insur- , : : aii. | 3 = s a P29 776-1679 colormaryiigmaicom COME VISIT OUR STATE-OF-THE ART FULL COLOR DIGITAL PRINTING CENTER fied if new tax collections from what he called the Virgin Islands Enhance- ment and Economic Recovery Act, which must be approved by the Sen- ate, total at least $80 million. He said alcohol and tobacco in the Virgin Islands is sorely undertaxed, and 40 million bottles of beer are sold each year in the territory. Additional tax also would be charged on distilled alcohol and wine. “Tn addition, we are seeking at least $12 per carton tax on cigarette and tobacco products in the territory,” as well as “a sugar tax on carbonated sweet beverages,” Mapp said. Mapp suggested most of the mil- lions of beers are consumed by tour- ists, so the tax would target visitors who enjoy the territory and should contribute to maintaining its infra- structure. “Tf you felt that was too expensive, then stop drinking beer. That’s healthy. That’s a benefit?’ Mapp said, referring to locals who drink alcohol. Mapp is also seeking a tax on time- share occupants, and wants to require that any resident claiming credits on property taxes pay a minimum annual property tax of $360. He said the additional tax revenue could also provide $18 million to pay ers Act. Friday No meetings. Govemor’s Agenda Today No appearances scheduled. Government House did not provide Gov. Kenneth Mapp’ agenda. COURTYARD SELF STORAGE Climate Controlled Units From 5’x5’ to 12’x20" Secure Keypad Entry Video Monitoring 24/7 Self-Serve Kiosk East End - Smith Bay (across. from Margaritaville) 340-776-6008 www.courtyardselfstorage.com worker’s compensation debts to medi- cal providers, hospitals and injured workers in the territory. Mapp said Monday that “as of to- day,” he was not prepared to call the Legislature back into session to ad- dress his proposal. Senate Majority Leader Sammuel Sanes said Monday he hopes more revenue could be generated through the reopening of the St. Croix oil refin- ery to pay some of what Mapp wants. “We shouldn’t rely so much on taxation. Right now, people of the Virgin Islands are facing a financial burden. Now we want to tax them more. That is not appealing to me at all,” he said. “There are some good points” to the governor’s suggestions, Sanes said. “I see his point. I can understand where he is coming from,” he said. Lame duck Sen. Clifford Graham said Monday that the promise to repay government workers back for the pay cut won’t be enough to convince legis- lators to support Mapp’s proposal. “The governor has sent us his ver- sion of the deficit reduction strategy,” Graham said. There are parts that senators will support, and “some we definitely would not be in favor of,” he said. Graham said paying back the gov- ernment employees should be a prior- ity. “Are they Number 1 on the priority list? I think there are more critical is- sues now,” Graham said. Graham said he is not sure whether the 31st Legislature will consider Mapp’s approvals before it stands down this month. “T am willing and able to work until my last day,” he said. “I am not sure the calendar will afford us the time to do so.” — Contact Jonathan Austin at 340- 714-9104 or email jaustin@dailynews. vi. Coming to Join the Vi Dental Team! Pediatric Dentist Call us! Make an Appointme 340-776-6056 Or. Flavia Tingling Or. Tingling was born on the beauti-ful sunny island of Jamaica, but short-ty thereafter relocated to the cold winters of Michigan! The move was prompted by her father's educational pursuit to become an Orthodontist at The University of Michigan- Ann Arbor. Her mother became a dental hy-gienist when Dr. Tingling was in high school, After her completion of an undergraduate degree from the “Big House", Dr. Tingling surprised every-one and followed the path of her DNA, by becoming a dentist! She then traded the cold winters of Ann Arbor for the bright lights of New York City! She was a fellow of General Dentistry at tha Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery, for 2 years. It was her exposure there thal led her to pursue a specialty degree in Pediatrics. She completed her Pediatric Dentistry Resi-dency at St. Barnabas Hospital- New York Presbyterian Weil Cor-nell, Bronx, New York. Her genuine.bove of children is evidenced by the arduous tasks she completed, to enable her to treat them ex-clusively. She fkes practicing dentistry, but LOVES rendering care to children? Board Certified Pediatric Dentists! MRAREAAA g\idental oO A HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_014502