Senate President Neville James, looking trim, fit and rested, gaveled the 31st Legislature to order for the first time Monday, and the Senate held a brief organizational session before recessing indefinitely at the call of the senate president.
James returns to the body after two years out of office and leads a newly formed Democratic Party majority.
After a swearing-in ceremony and ecumenical service elsewhere on St. Thomas, the senators convened in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Chambers. The 15 legislators voted to approve legislation setting the organizational structure of the 31st Legislature, including its president, officers, committee members and chairs, as well as the rules of the body. The committee assignments were announced last week but formally enacted Monday. (See related links below)
James shared the motto for the 31st Legislature – “focused, prepared, resilient” – and spoke of plans to “reduce costs for what we’re paying now and increase revenue by economic activity.”
“Disposable income, more money in your pocket, when you spend, the government benefits,” James said, sharing a vision of an improving economy helping to fill the government’s coffers and keep the schools, police and government agencies running.
James gave a warm introduction to each senator and gave them five minutes apiece to say whatever they liked. There was a lot of emotion in the chamber as each thanked family, friends and supporters for all their help in the election, and spoke about what serving in the Legislature meant to them.
Sen. Sammuel Sanes said it was Sen. Almando "Rocky" Liburd’s birthday and led the body singing happy birthday.
"Ten years ago I left this body and 10 years later I’m back," Liburd said, tears in his eyes.
When James introduced Sen. Novelle Francis, he said Francis had held "every position in the V.I. Police Department," including commissioner "and obviously is going to head the Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety and Justice."
Francis said, "The people are defending us."
"They have hired a dream team of 15 senators, a governor, lieutenant governor and delegate to Congress and they expect us to deliver for them," Francis said.
Sen. Kurt Vialet urged his fellow senators to look hard at the new agency heads and commissioners coming before them shortly.
He said vetting the commissioners will be "one of the hardest jobs before us," and "it is very important we, as senators, don’t rubber stamp those who come before us."
By statute, the governor delivers the state of the territory address at the initial session of the year.
James said that Gov. Kenneth Mapp postponed the state of the territory and so, to conform to the statute instead of adjourning the session, "the Legislature will recess until the governor is ready to deliver the state of the territory address."
