U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. conducted the first press briefing of 2024 on Tuesday from Government House on St. Thomas.
While acknowledging the successful completion of the 71st Annual Crucian Christmas Festival, Gov. Bryan praised the contributions of the Virgin Island Police Department, VIPD Commissioner Ray Martinez, VIPD Chief Sean Santos, VIPD Deputy Chief Uston Cornelius, and the Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Services, which he credited with being responsible for an incident-free celebration.
“Your service to our community is truly commendable,” Gov. Bryan said. “Your tireless efforts in keeping us safe and responding to our emergencies are the backbone of our community’s well-being.”
Additionally, Gov. Bryan thanked the Department of Tourism and its Division of Festivals for promoting the beauty and vibrant culture of the U.S. Virgin Islands, and praised community members, revelers and small businesses as the heart and soul of the Festival celebrations.
Fiscal Update
Noting that disparaging headlines and chatter have recently emerged about the Bryan-Roach Administration’s fiscal health, most notably the timely payment of government vendors, Gov. Bryan said there is no reason to be alarmed.
“My administration, in close collaboration with the 35th Legislature, is diligently working to address these cash flow issues,” he said. “It’s important to understand that we are currently in a period of the year when revenue collection is typically at its lowest. However, we fully expect our revenue collection to increase and align with our revenue projections in the next month or two.”
The administration is committed to the successful payment of retroactive wages and is continuing to pay income tax refunds to Virgin Islanders, he said.
“These actions demonstrate our unwavering dedication to serving you, especially in these times when the rising costs of goods and services, driven by inflation, are affecting us all,” Gov. Bryan said. “I assure you, as your Governor, that my administration will continue to honor its commitments and work tirelessly to ensure the prosperity and financial stability of our beloved Virgin Islands.”
Gov. Bryan announced the extension of the tax penalty abatement program until January 31, 2024. This program applies to corporate and individual income taxes and gross receipts taxes. Taxpayers willing to take advantage of the penalty waiver relief must fully comply with filing all outstanding gross receipts returns up to November 2023 and all income tax returns up to tax year 2022.
St. Croix Avis
And finally, Gov. Bryan acknowledged the closing of the St. Croix Avis, which he called “a longstanding beacon of journalism in our community.”
“The Avis has not just been a newspaper but a part of our shared story, a testament to the enduring spirit of St. Croix and the broader Virgin Islands. The closure of the St. Croix Avis is undoubtedly a significant change, but it is an opportunity for us to reaffirm our commitment to supporting local institutions that form the bedrock of our community,” Gov. Bryan said.
The Bryan-Roach Administration is investing in the Territory’s people, infrastructure and future through transparency, stabilizing the economy, restoring trust in the government and ensuring that recovery projects are completed as quickly as possible. Visit transparency.vi.gov
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