Before doubters make any judgments about the makeup of the 24th Legislature’s majority, all the members want is for people to keep an open mind. So said the eight senators and senators-elect in a press conference on St. Croix Wednesday.
"There’s been much talk of the organization of the 24th Legislature," said Sen. Almando "Rocky" Liburd, the man slated to head the body starting in January. "Today we’re going to put all that to rest."
In front of an effusive crowd of supporters, Liburd proceeded to introduce the majority coalition: Sen. Adelbert Bryan, who will be Senate vice president and chairman of the Committee on Economic Development; Sen. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen, slated to chair the Finance Committee; Senator-Elect Celestino White, majority leader and chair of the Committee on Housing Parks and Recreation; Sen. Norman Jn. Baptiste, Education Committee; Sen. Donald "Ducks" Cole, Government Operations Committee; Senator-Elect Norma Pickard Samuels, Committee on Labor and Veterans Affairs, and Senator-Elect Carlton Dowe, Rules Committee.
Liburd said he and the seven other members of the majority have vowed to work together for the people of the Virgin Islands, "irrespective of philosophy."
"In spite of whatever differences these members have, we’re saying we’re putting all that aside today," he said. "Don’t pre-judge us. Give us an opportunity to work."
Liburd and several other senators challenged the media to stop dwelling on senators’ past relationships and actions, saying that the territory can’t move ahead with "pettiness and negativity."
Bryan, who has had a tumultuous career in the Senate, also asked for people to look ahead rather than behind, saying that "none of us are what we were yesterday…."
As chair of the Committee on Economic Development, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, Bryan said he will focus on attracting investment to the territory as long as the territory gets something in return.
In a subsequent interview, Bryan said he would push to reform the Industrial Development Commission.
"We can’t continue to have economic development and not reinvestment in the Virgin Islands," he said.
Baptiste, who will continue as chair of the Education Committee, criticized the Turnbull administration for its handling of education in the territory. He also blasted some of his colleagues in the 23rd Legislature for not supporting his efforts to fund salary increases for teachers.
Education reform, Baptiste said, is high on his list of priorities.
White, meanwhile, unleashed his oratorical talents, last seen in the 22nd Legislature. He said pundits who "anticipate the worst" from the majority bloc will be dismayed.
"They simply don’t understand that a change has begun," White said. "This is a commitment and this is a compromise and recognition that there is another island, not just St. Thomas-St. John."
As chairman of the Housing Committee, White said he would focus on members of the community who are on the economic fringe.
"Home ownership and land ownership opportunities will be on the front burner," he said.
Dowe, the former director of Fire Services and a former U.S. deputy marshal, said it was not his duty to "hug up" Hansen or Bryan. Rather, he said he will focus on the community and running the Rules Committee.
His style, he said, is to get things done quickly. Commenting on the Turnbull administration’s lack of several Cabinet members, Dowe called on the governor to act "posthaste" on preparing names for boards, commissions and departments.
"Prepare those nominations and let’s get on the road," Dowe said. "We can’t go on as business as usual."
Pickard-Samuels noted she was originally from St. Croix but now lives on St. Thomas; proof, she said, that she will be able to work for the good of both islands.
"When could a Crucian walk into St. Thomas and walk away with a Senate seat?" she asked.
Cole, who will head the Government Operations Committee, said one of the main goals of the majority will be to pursue the return of a percentage of excise taxes on petroleum products produced at the Hovensa refinery. The move, if successful, could garner the territory millions of dollars a year.
"We are going for it," he said "We should be living like Arab sheiks in this territory."
Hansen, meanwhile, said she had not lobbied for the chairmanship of the Finance Committee, a position she held in the 22nd Legislature. She promised that if the governor did not send down a budget on time, her committee, with support of the majority, would give him one.
"The governor will have a body that will be the check-and-balance body," she said. "Not a body that will help him cover up."
The remaining committee chairmanships, which include Planning and Environmental Protection and Health, remain open for any other member of the Senate, Liburd said.
