As election day nears and voters face a referendum to reduce the size of the Virgin Islands Legislature from 15 to 11 or nine, voters should consider the negative consequences of such a change.
With a nine- member Legislature it would take only five senators to make a quorum and therefore only three votes to carry any motion or measure. With an 11-member Legislature, it would take six to make a quorum and as few as four to pass a bill.
It is not hard to imagine what that could mean.
A tiny handful of powerful senators could cripple or hold sway over the entire territory. The potential for mischief – or downright corruption – is frightening. Moreover, how will a smaller Legislature meet the one-man, one-vote test of constitutionality?
Reducing the number of senators is not the answer to the Virgin Islands political and economic woes. Plenty is wrong, but finding workable solutions will require study and dialogue.
A quick-fix answer could have a devastating long-term effect. We urge Virgin Islanders to vote "no" Tuesday on the well-intentioned but poorly-thought-out proposal to reduce the size of our Senate.
