Dear Source:
With all but $17.4 million remaining to close this year’s budget deficit, I am sure the Governor and the 29th Legislature can come together to address the territory’s finances without massive layoffs. After all, in the past, the situation has been far worse and we have made it through with less pain than what seems to be on the table today.
With so many demands on individuals, families and businesses – from property taxes to high gasoline and utility costs and increases in fees — layoffs or dismissals would be catastrophic. In my opinion, there are less draconian options available.
The Governor has said that change is necessary and inevitable and that some of those changes have to begin now. I will trust in the wisdom of the collaborative process between Government House and the Legislature to make the requisite local changes. But that is not enough! Despite the terrible environment in Washington, I am clear that I too owe it to my constituents to do whatever I can to alleviate the burdens we will all have to bear and to ensure that Virgin Islanders do not lose in the process.
I have written to the Governor and the Legislature to inquire where they believe my office could be most helpful and have made some suggestions to Governor deJongh.
As those of you who follow House proceedings can attest, I will continue to side with those who oppose cuts to critical federal programs and I will actively advocate for the 2012 appropriation requests that we have supported that could be helpful to the territory if passed.
I have redoubled efforts to ensure that the Virgin Islands and other territories are not left out of any initiatives that might be passed in aid of the states, and I will work with my fellow territorial delegates to see if an Omnibus Territories Bill can be put together this year.
My staff and I have offered to work with all of the local departments and agencies to help identify grants and programs that could supplement local funding and offset local budget cuts.
We will work with the administration to utilize any remaining Recovery Act funding and to request that any funding left would remain available until spent.
Legislation is about to be introduced to designate the National Heritage Area for St. Croix which brings with it access of up to $1 million dollars annually for 10 years. My staff and I continue to
offer help to our hospitals, to work with others to advocate for programs like an infrastructure bank, the surface transportation reauthorization, and some key Congressional Black Caucus initiatives that target help to chronically distressed communities. Along with my colleagues I will continue to seek help for states and territories to alleviate the financial crises that threaten them all.
Much of this unfortunately depends on being able to break through the gridlock in Washington, but on the positive side, our President is committed to much of what I have mentioned.
It is important for me to caution that under current political and economic conditions, it is entirely unrealistic to look for any kind of federal bailout – from gasoline taxes or anywhere else. On the other hand we are fortunate that we have the Diageo and Fortune Brand agreements which should begin to increase revenue for the Territory next year and that we have an experienced and highly regarded fiduciary agent who while now only over education funds may be able to help us realize some efficiencies and savings going forward.
As one of the Virgin Islands elected leaders, I would be remiss if I did not exhaust every avenue available to us to help weather this and any other storm.
Change is never easy and although some of the changes that would be enacted will cause some pain and sacrifice, as long as it is shared and trust can be restored or strengthened, I have every confidence that the people of the Virgin Islands will rise to this difficult challenge as we have done over the centuries.
If you want to share your thoughts and suggestions with me on this matter, please reply to Donna.Christensen@mail.house.gov with “Help For The VI” in the subject line or text to 202-288-3142.
Sincerely,
Donna M. Christensen
Delegate to Congress
