Economic Development and Agriculture Committee Labors Through Non-Productive Hearings

The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture began its session Wednesday with testimony for and against changing the composition of the V.I. Division of Festivals.

Bill No. 35-0232, sponsored by Sen. Franklin Johnson, would eliminate the festival assistant directors but increase the number of directors from one to three and require each director to submit a financial report to the Senate Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance.

Johnson said the bill would reduce redundancy, increase local representation, and ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. Each director would reside on the island they represent.

“I say this without fear – we have to spend the taxpayer’s money better,” Johnson said.