Dear Source:
I agree with Mr. Hollander's suggestion that cutting the size of the legislature would, indeed, save money. The citizen voters, in 2002 passed a resolution at the polls to reduce the size of the legislature to 9 members. This referendum was ignored by the legislature because referendums in the Virgin Islands are non-binding and it was up to the legislature to enact it. If it was enacted at that time and based upon six senators' salaries and benefits at that time, the government would have saved approximately $4 million. Adding vehicles and other expenses of office over that same time period from 2002 to 2006 would increase that number to approximately $5 million.
As we know, senators' salaries have increased and the retirement benefits have also increased to $85,000 plus benefits starting in 2007 so the numbers would be substantially higher over several years.
Mr. Hollander is not far from wrong by saying we could save substantial amounts but I disagree with the number of senators at five. Based upon populations a more reasonable make up of the legislature would be nine members-three from St Croix, three from St Thomas and one from St John with NO at-large representatives. Also, decreasing the senate session to ninety days per year would further reduce the cost of the legislature as the travel expenses, etc would also be reduced. A reasonable salary could be $45,000 maximum. NO vehicles or any other perks of office should be allowed for a part time senator. The legislative budget should be held to a maximum amount, say $3 million per year for all expenses of the legislature and increases should be limited from fiscal year to fiscal year to say 2.5% maximum but only if they actually spent the full $3 million. A watchdog agency should be put in place that ensures no spending for other than legitimate legislative activities could occur.
Yes, we can make that a Constitutional mandate. In fact, we can include in the new Constitution many other reforms that are needed to make the government work more efficiently and I am sure the senators would welcome these reforms. It is up to the Constitutional delegates to have the will to make these changes part of the basis of our laws.
Paul Devine
St. John
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