Senator Donna Frett-Gregory, Chair of the Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance of the 35th Legislature stated today that the committee was unaware of the completion of the Public Officials Compensation Study Report and did not receive a copy, formally or informally, of the report prior to yesterday.
“The legislative intent of the Public Official Compensation Commission was to provide transparency to the people of the Virgin Islands while contemplating salary adjustments for public officials,” Frett-Gregory said. “The media has reported that the report was transmitted via email to the Legislature, this has not been the practice, anything that requires action is transmitted via hard copy to the institution. The Public Officials Compensation Commission failed in advising the public of the completion of their work,” Frett-Gregory added.
“The Governor’s statement that the salary adjustments became effective due to the Legislature’s inaction is disingenuous, how can action be taken on a measure not received. The Governor’s financial team appeared before the Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance on September 3, 2024, well after the Governor admitted to receiving a copy of the report, to discuss the FY2025 Executive Budget and made three additional financial requests from the Legislature, none of which had to do with said salary adjustments,” explained Frett-Gregory. “Budget wrap-up was the opportune time to share and discuss the Public Officials Compensation Study Report,” continued Frett-Gregory.
“We cannot selectively choose what legislation to enact. The Legislature has previously enacted legislation that has enactment and/or completion clauses that continues to be ignored, specifically the retroactive payments for government retirees and workers, and most recently through Act No. 8915 the detailed unaudited report of the government revenue and expenditures for FY 2024 which was due on December 15, 2024, and has not been transmitted to the Legislature,” Frett-Gregory said.
“There is no debate that the amounts in the Public Officials Compensation Study Report is small in the grand scheme of a billion-dollar budget, however it is important to bring light and discussion on this matter, particularly due to its lateness. The Chief Executive’s position while our constituents continue to seek answers on financial matters exacerbates the community’s distrust in our government. Transparency and accountability are crucial in managing the government’s finances and restoring public trust, we must do better,” concluded Frett-Gregory.
