Oct. 9, 2001 — The governor and local lawmakers will meet Tuesday at Government House on St. Croix to map out the economic future of the territory almost a month after terrorist attacks on the mainland threw the world into economic chaos, and about two weeks after the V.I. Senate passed the record-high 2002 budget.
Later Tuesday, the Senate Finance Committee will convene to discuss an economic stimulus package after taking testimony from the private sector. The Finance Committee meeting comes just weeks after the Senate passed a record $551 million budget with many senators, including committee chair Alicia "Chucky" Hansen, saying that the terrorist acts wouldn’t hold the process hostage.
Meanwhile, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull and Senate President Almando "Rocky" Liburd scheduled the 10 a.m. meeting Tuesday so that lawmakers and the executive branch can "assess the economic and security conditions of the territory" since the attacks on Sept. 11. The joint meeting is supposed to be the first of a series to "monitor the territory’s financial and security condition."
"These are very serious times and there is a need for all residents to be on the highest alert and for the executive and legislative branches of government to work in unison for the public good," Turnbull said in a statement.
Liburd also said the government had to unify to show residents that it is "taking steps to protect life and property."
Hansen, meanwhile, said her committee, meeting at 6 p.m. in the legislative chambers in Frederiksted, will bring together government, union and private sector officials to "formulate a comprehensive rescue package for the ailing economy" of the territory.
"This is no time to protect turf," Hansen said. "We must come together as one people to rescue our economy from the doldrums."
