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Charlotte Amalie
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeCommentaryOpen forumThe Legislature Needs to Act

The Legislature Needs to Act

Dear Source:
Governor Mapp said that the Deputy Commissioners’ positions that were in the deJongh Administration were eliminated, and the salaries were redirected to create his Commissioners’ salaries. Therefore, the total cost for the executive branch upper management is the same as it was for the deJongh administration. The difference is one level of positions no longer exists, but the budget is the same.
Personally, I would have preferred if the salaries were used to hire where needed to add to GERS. The Governor and his cabinet have information that many of us, including the Legislature, do not have concerning the fiscal situation.
The members of the 31st Legislature must remember the outcry of the people when that institution passed Act 6905 giving every senator a $20k raise and special retirement language. The people agitated, demonstrated, advocated, and the senators (some still sitting) ignored us and moved on.
In compliance with the separation of powers and the Legislature’s advice and consent required of the nominations, the 31st Legislature needs to do their job. All the nominations that were approved in the Senate Rules Committee should be approved/denied at the Senate Session Wednesday.
To delay the vote on the nominations is to delay the planning and progress of the affected departments which ultimately delays service to the people of the territory.
Move on and act.
Mary L. Moorhead, St. Thomas
 

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