Lawmakers Stress Accountability and Oversight in Legislature’s Next Chapter

The 36th Legislature convened its first session on Monday during a turbulent time for the government of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Revenues in 2024 fell below the mark, leaving vendors unpaid and frustrated. The Water and Power Authority inched toward sustainability during a monthslong state of emergency declared in April — and the 35th Legislature voted against renewing the state of emergency during its final session in December, and a loss of power briefly cast Monday’s session into darkness before generators kicked in.

The past two weeks have been particularly bruising. Virgin Islanders were alarmed to learn this month that salaries for high-ranking government officials increased after recommendations from the V.I. Public Officials Compensation Commission quietly went into effect. Then, on Friday, two unsealed federal grand jury indictments against three former members of Gov. Albert Bryan Jr.’s cabinet and one other alleged corruption, kickbacks and cronyism. “Sen. Francis gave up this gavel so fast,” quipped incoming Senate President Milton Potter after accepting the gavel from Sen. Novelle Francis Jr., president of the 35th Legislature, on Monday in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas.