The St. Croix Chamber of Commerce, which has steadfastly opposed video lottery terminals (VLT's), is very disappointed with the senators who voted to override the governor's veto of this detrimental legislation. VLT’s will not contribute to the construction of a single hotel room or entice the airlines to add additional capacity to St. Croix. They will not bring in a single tourist dollar and will serve only to burden the community with continuing poverty and despair.
Just after South Carolina drove them out of the state because of the harm they brought, the Virgin Islands embraces them. Do our senators believe that South Carolina had too much money and needed to reduce their income? One must question WHY? Why override the governor's veto now? What quid pro quo was obtained?
Although the senators who voted to override claim they are seeking increased revenue, the reality is that much greater revenue opportunities will be lost. Who will build a new hotel/casino on St. Croix now? Why make a capital investment of millions of dollars when you can place a slot machine in every neighborhood bar? Why endure the scrutiny of the Casino Control Commission when you can have gambling supervised by a friendly bartender?
Understandably, the loss of new St. Croix hotel construction will not harm St. Thomas; but why did St. Croix senators vote for VLT’s?
Editor's note: Frank Fox is president of tne St. Croix Chamber of Commerce.
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