March 24, 2004 – After wrangling until after midnight Tuesday, the Legislature passed a slimmed-down version of Gov. Charles W. Turnbull's requested $180 million bond issue authorization on a paper-thin vote of 8 to 7.
And it specified that the money is to be used to finance the federal court-ordered construction of new wastewater treatment plants on St. Thomas and St. Croix, territorywide sewage system and road improvements, and cleanup of the Anguilla and Bovoni landfills.
Sen. Douglas Canton Jr. on behalf of Senate President David Jones introduced an amendment reducing the bond authorization to $105 million. The amendment passed on a 9-6 vote.
The Senate then approved the amended measure. Voting in favor were Sens. Lorraine Berry, Canton, Roosevelt David, Carlton Dowe, Jones, Almando "Rocky" Liburd, Shawn-Michael Malone and Luther Renee. Voting against were Sens. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg, Emmett Hansen II, Louis Hill, Norman Jn Baptiste, Usie Richards, Ronald Russell and Celestino A. White Sr.
Turnbull had wanted the bond issue also to cover the construction of new facilities for Central High School on St. Croix and Addelita Cancryn Junior High School on St. Thomas, as well as a new high school on St. Thomas's West End..
For earlier discussion and action in Tuesday's special session, see "New bond issue idea finds little favor in Senate".
A detailed report of the full marathon session will be posted later Wednesday.
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