Legislative Silence Enables $192,088 Salary for Governor, $95,000 for Senators; Public Questions Motives

The VIPOCC’s salary recommendations were approved by default after the 90-day window passed. Francis claimed he never received the report. Governor Bryan confirmed receipt but stayed silent until Gov't House's Sunday press release.

Public concern is growing as questions arise regarding a Government House press release issued late Sunday about significant pay raises reportedly taking effect on January 1, 2025. In the release, Governor Albert Bryan references a report from the V.I. Public Officials Compensation Commission (VIPOCC), stating that the salary increases have already taken effect in accordance with the law governing the commission. The VIPOCC report analyzed 41 benchmark positions across government to determine appropriate salary adjustments. These included roles in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, as well as key leadership positions in various departments and agencies.

The commission proposed increasing senators' salaries from the current $85,000 to $95,000. Additionally, the VIPOCC introduced longevity pay, granting a 5% annual increase for senators serving four or more terms based on the prevailing base salary. In October 2020, senators’ salaries were untethered from the lowest-paid commissioner’s, effectively keeping their pay at $85,000 as the salary of Department of Sports, Parks & Recreation Commissioner Calvert White increased to over $100,000.