For the third time in a row Wednesday, the Senate Government Operations Committee meeting had to cancel a meeting because it lacked a quorum.
According to Chairman Gregory Bennerson, only he and two other senators — Roosevelt David and Donald "Ducks" Cole –were present out of the seven members. Excused were Sens. David Jones, who was off island, Allie-Allison Petrus, who was sick, and Lorraine Berry and Adelbert Bryan, who had previous commitments.
Bennerson was perturbed not only about Wednesday’s cancellation but also about canceled meetings Feb. 14 and 16. Bennerson voiced support for a proposal that would dock the $65,000-a-year pay of senators who miss a scheduled vote.
Senators, he said, are supposed to "legislate and protect the interests of the people . . . with full paid salary, God bless."
Proposals not heard Wednesday were bills to establish a voter-identification and registration fund; an amendment to allow for the assignment of income tax refunds to satisfy rental payments, hospital bills, education, land and other long-term loans; and a bill to subdivide and offer for sale for home ownership approximately 107 acres of real property conveyed to the V.I. government from the St. Croix Alumina Corp.
The Government Operations Committee is slated to meet again March 15 in St. Thomas.
