Government House on Monday announced dozens of sections in the mammoth 2001 Omnibus Authorization Act vetoed by Gov. Charles Turnbull, shortly after he left the territory for a nearly weeklong birthday vacation.
Turnbull line-item vetoed several sections and subsections in the act. Probably the single most controversial veto was of a proposal to set up a semi-autonomous tourism authority to replace the Department of Tourism. While Turnbull vetoed the authority proposal, which was backed strongly by the private sector, he did revive the idea of a tourism advisory committee within the Tourism Department.
A section of the act Turnbull did sign — raising the hotel occupancy tax by 2 percent — is causing as much discord as the veto of the tourism authority.
Along with five vetoes regarding the Fiscal Year 2001 budget, Turnbull vetoed a personal use tax on items brought into the territory. The governor said that the tax study commission, which he signed into law albeit with vetoes of some sections, should analyze the idea of a personal use tax.
A section of the act that would have eliminated Election Day as a holiday was also vetoed because it was "not in the best interest of the people," Turnbull said in his veto message to Senate President Almando "Rocky" Liburd.
"Although I generally favor reduction in holidays, these particular days have ramifications beyond the mere deletion of a day off," he said.
A section of the Omnibus Act that would have declared a fiscal state of emergency in the territory was also nixed by Turnbull. He said such a declaration would have "severe dire" consequences on holders of the territory's bonds, efforts to lure future investors and the ability to float bonds in the future.
Additionally, Turnbull vetoed the following sections of the Omnibus Act:
– a proposal to revamp the makeup of the V.I. Port Authority board of directors;
– in part, establishing the Employment Enhancement Act of 2000;
– an amendment to the parimutuel gaming and simulcasting statute;
– six of seven rezoning amendments in one section of the act.
Among the sections approved by Turnbull were tax benefits for the Virgin Islands dairy industry, authorization to reorganize government housing industries, establishment of the Peace Officer Training Council, establishment of a Captive Insurance Program, amendments to the tobacco settlement agreement and amendments to the V.I. Code in regard to mentally ill defendants.
"While I have item vetoed major portions (of the Omnibus Act), the other provisions have been signed into law because they will benefit our community," Turnbull said. "It is hoped that these provisions will lead to increased economic opportunity for the people of the territory."
Liburd, meanwhile, said the eight-member Senate majority still has to review Turnbull's vetoes before it makes any attempts to override. Getting the 10 votes needed for an override, however, will be difficult because of the animosity between majority and minority bloc senators.
Because of that, Liburd said the majority may try another avenue. If a particular veto is offensive, Liburd said, "we'll move to repeal it."
In addition to the approved sections in the Omnibus Act, Turnbull also signed the Economic Development Commission bill. The bill combines the Industrial Development Commission, Government Development Bank, Industrial Park Development Corporation, Small Business Development Agency and the Bureau of Economic Research to streamline operations and promote economic activity in the community.
