Gov. Charles W. Turnbull said Monday he will not support any move by the 23rd Legislature to delay the effective date of compulsory automobile insurance in the territory.
Speaking with reporters after ceremonies observing the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the governor said it would be irresponsible for lawmakers to attempt any further delay in the implementation of the law.
Sens. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen and Adelbert M. "Bert" Bryan have both called on the administration to delay it, citing lack of capacity or the financial hardship it would cause to the public.
The governor said Monday in response to suggestions that the Senate might add an amendment to the OSHA legislation in special session to delay the Feb. 13 date, "I believe that we need automobile insurance in the Virgin Islands for the safety of our people."
Turnbull acknowledged that it would pose a financial hardship for some residents but he said the territory must have its priorities in order.
"Human life is the most precious thing we have and we have to make certain that we do everything we can to protect it," he said. Turnbull added that it is "unsafe to have drivers operating vehicles without insurance in case there is injury to life and property."
If the amendment repealing or delaying compulsory auto insurance is added to the OSHA legislation, the governor's hands would be tied due to his inability to line-item veto anything other than an appropriations bill.
The chairwoman of the Senate Finance Committee agreed with the governor on the issue of not delaying the effective date of compulsory insurance.
Sen. Lorraine L. Berry said Monday that she does not see the votes being there to amend the law to delay the implementation of the insurance legislation. She said she believes that many in the community are anxious to have this bill in place.
"Persons who have been in accidents know that we cannot continue not to have liability insurance for motorists," Berry said. "This sends a wrong message about our protecting each other."
She added that the bill has been law for seven months and that was adequate time for the public to prepare for its implementation. She said industry officials are working to accommodate the special needs of motorists — "some are even allowing bi-weekly paycheck deductions to cover the costs of liability insurance."
Berry said she believes the votes are there to sustain the measure’s implementation.
On other issues, the governor said Monday he is preparing to meet with labor leaders to discuss the finer points of the $200 million owed unionized government workers.
When asked about the upcoming labor summit and how the administration plans to address the mounting debt, Turnbull said, "We have this problem with the retroactive monies that has been owed for years and it's now practically impossible to pay. We believe that if we sit down with labor and speak of plans to put workers on the proper negotiated pay scale, this may be more beneficial because we simple do not have the monies to pay retroactive wages."
The governor said it is unrealistic to think that the government could ever afford to pay the back wages that are owed. He also said he is not asking union leaders to identify the source of the so-called step increases; the source will be the result of brainstorming between labor and the government.
The governor also spoke about receiving an interim report from the Economic Recovery Task Force whose mission is to identify means by which the financial footing of the territory can be solidified. The final draft is expected by Feb. 29, Turnbull said.
When asked if there are provisions in the interim report that could easily be implemented, he told St. Thomas Source,
"There are some that can be implemented a bit more easily than others."
He did not elaborate.
He also shied away from commenting on whether he is contemplating any changes in his Cabinet. It has been rumored for months that some changes in agency heads were being contemplated because Turnbull was dissatisfied with the performance through his first year in office. On Monday he would only say, "I don’t want to comment on that at this time." But he hastened to add that his Cabinet has worked hard given the circumstances.
"They should be given the opportunity to sort things out before they are judged prematurely," Turnbull said.
