Sen. Lorraine Berry said Tuesday she is concerned about the growing number of people contacting her office because Workmen's Compensation can't pay claims to people injured on the job.
As a result of the failure of the government to make payment to the Government Insurance Fund, there is a negative balance in the fund of $154,000, according to an unaudited report. The deficit is due to the government's failure to pay more than $6.5 million owed to the fund from 1983 to 1999.
The outstanding debt was brought to light during the recent Finance Committee budget hearings.
Berry sent a letter to Gov. Charles W. Turnbull saying the Food Stamp Program could issue emergency food stamps only if a state of emergency were declared by President Bill Clinton.
However, Berry said, Human Services Commissioner Sedonie Halbert suggested that people in need might qualify for assistance from her department.
Berry said she had been told that people were unable to purchase food, pay for electricity or make their mortgage payments.
"I think it's illegal that the government hasn't paid into the fund," Berry told St. Thomas Source.
