Senators Said That Governor Bryan’s State of the Territory Address Was Hopeful but Fluffy

Governor Albert Bryan Jr. addressed the public during his annual State of the Territory address on Monday and was met with mixed feelings by senators who described his speech as hopeful, upbeat, and fluffy.

Bryan touched on many topics during his speech. From the tourism industry to the effects of COVID-19, from hurricane disaster recovery to horseracing, the governor pitched an optimistic outlook for the future of the territory. But, lawmakers felt the governor should have touched on more pressing matters.

“I really think he should’ve focused more on our challenges in areas, particularly education and housing. Challenges we have with recovery efforts and how we can address those particular challenges,” said Senate President Donna Frett-Gregory. She added, “I really wanted to hear a little more about how we plan to truly go about addressing the workforce development issues that we have here in the territory. He touched on it lightly, but more should’ve been said about that strategy. ”

Senators Novelle Francis Jr., Milton Potter, and Steven Payne each said that mental health is an important issue that the governor should have addressed also.

“Mental health is a critical issue that he campaigned on as well. I have not seen any real effort to address that particular situation,” said Francis Jr.” We’re in a pandemic, and there are a number of individuals that’s fallen out as a result of the stresses of the pandemic, and there is no real availability of resources to get their health supported in that endeavor.”

“Our students are falling so far behind,” added Payne. “They’re having social issues, isolation issues.”