Bryan Pushes to End Dual Pay for Lawmakers, Enable Gov’t Workers to Run for Office, and Save Millions on Insurance

Governor Bryan will convene a special session to push for $30M savings through self-funded insurance, bar senators from collecting both pension and salary, and repeal the law banning government employees from running for elected office.

Governor Albert Bryan Jr. plans to summon the Legislature to a special session in order to discuss three priority legislative proposals – self-funded insurance for government employees, a prohibition on sitting legislators collecting retirement pensions from previous government employment, and allowing current government workers to run for public office.

During a press briefing on Monday, Governor Bryan expounded on why he believes these measures are necessary for the territory.

Self-funding insurance, Mr. Bryan said, means the creation of a pool of money with which insurance premiums will be paid, “instead of the carrier paying the premiums.” This is expected to result in savings of over $30 million each year, the governor said, claiming that legislative inaction on this has already cost the government “some $50 million this year in savings.” Governor Bryan said lawmakers must now create a “special task force to assess and send out an RFP for a broker that can carry our insurance through Cigna, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Aetna, one of these major carriers, and get it done post haste.” He assured Virgin Islanders that nothing would change on the consumer end. “It will not affect anyone's access to their doctors, nor to their coverage,” Governor Bryan promised.

The special legislative session would also be convened to debate “legislation to prohibit senators from collecting retirement benefits while serving in office,” Governor Bryan said, calling the proposal one that would create “parity” among lawmakers.

“How can it be that we have nine retired senators collecting their retirement benefits and their check?” Mr. Bryan asked. The status quo creates a scenario where some lawmakers are earning the statutory $85,000 in annual salary, while others are taking home $150,000 in salary and pension payments, the governor said. “Only they can do this, not even the governor could hold any other office and collect their pension.”