Bryan Increases Retro Pay to Gov't Employees From $25 Million to $40 Million, A Monumental Step to Come Current on Long Owed Debt

Governor Albert Bryan on Monday resubmitted legislation to the 34th Legislature increasing the payout to government employees both past and present owed retroactive wages by the government of the Virgin Islands.

Mr. Bryan, in a transmittal letter to Senate President Donna Frett-Gregory obtained by the Consortium, said since his previous submission on July 12 committing to pay $25 million, "in working with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, we have been able to allocate additional funds for the debt owed to the current and retired employees who are owed retroactive pay."

The letter adds, "As such, in accordance with Section 11 of the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands of 1954, as amended, I re-submit to the Thirty-Fourth Legislature the enclosed proposed measure appropriating a total of $40 million in the Fiscal Year ending September 2022, from the General Fund, to pay retroactive wages owed to the employees and retirees of the Government of the Virgin Islands."

The governor has asked the Senate president to bring the measure before the 34th Legislature at the next Senate session, according to the letter. Senators Novelle Francis and Ms. Frett-Gregory were also instrumental in crafting the latest legislation, the Consortium has learned.