DeGraff circulates petition for session on Friday to eliminate pay increases for public officials

ST. CROIX — In a move to challenge recent pay increases for public officials.

Senate Minority Leader Dwayne DeGraff circulated a petition via email to his colleagues today that calls for the Senate president to convene a special session at 10 a.m. Friday on St. Thomas so the lawmaking body could consider repealing two acts that created the Virgin Islands Public Officials Compensation Commission, according to the senator.

If a majority of eight senators sign the petition, DeGraff said Senate President Novelle Francis Jr. would be required to convene the special session. “If I don’t get the majority, then it doesn’t go through,” he said. DeGraff is calling for the special session so his colleagues could consider repealing and rescinding Act Nos. 7878 and 8384, the laws that created the Public Officials Compensation Commission. The Compensation Commission recommended salary increases for various public officials including the governor, lieutenant governor, and senators that took effect January 1.