June 5, 2009 — Technical difficulties and ongoing repairs at the Legislature building on St. Thomas forced senators to push Friday's Appropriations and Budget Committee meeting back to June 16.
During last week's full session, the sound board at the Ottley Legislative Hall burned out, causing a disruption in audio that affected broadcasts of the meeting and prevented senators from using their microphones on the floor. While attempts will be made to revive an old soundboard at the building for next week's meetings, a new one will still have to be ordered, according to legislative staff.
It is unknown at this point how much the new board will cost.
Meanwhile, repairs to the building are ongoing. Last month, the downstairs entryway was renovated and on Friday, renovations to the chambers were in full swing. Much of the work is being done in-house, with money generally going toward supplies, according to staffers. Upstairs repairs include the expansion of the media room, which will allow media services personnel to better move around, operate the controls and see what's happening on the floor.
Repairs are also being planned for legislative facilities on St. John and St. Croix.
Friday's agenda had included three federal grant applications and a bill allowing senior citizens and people with disabilities to pay their government bills at any department or agency where there is a bonded cashier.
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