By an 8-6 margin, the Senate passed amended legislation proposed by Governor Albert Bryan Jr., which creates a special purpose entity charged with the responsibility of selling the rights to as much as $200 million per year in federal alcohol excise tax revenues to avert the collapse of GERS.
Several senators said the new version of the bill takes oversight away from the Legislature and does not allow lawmakers the opportunity to question rum companies. Senators Benta, Vialet, DeGraff, Gittens, James Sr., and Sarauw all voted against the newly amended legislation.
Senator Blyden, Frett-Gregory, Barnes, DeGazon, Hodge Jr., Jackson, Payne Sr., and Thomas voted in favor of the bill, while Senate President Novelle Francis Jr. was absent.
COVID-19 in the USVI:
- 18,980 test.
- 17,712 Negative
- 1,242 Positive
- 26 Pending
- 19 Deaths
JetBlue is about to launch a major Caribbean expansion come November, new routes across the whole region from Aruba to St. Marteen. The airline said they are starting November 19.