Paving the way for the Fifth V.I. Constitutional Convention to reconvene and consider amending their draft constitution, Delegate Donna Christensen and House and Senate staffers spoke by conference call with the convention president and delegates Thursday afternoon, clarifying issues and discussing the next steps forward. Christensen and Senate staff discussed what was entailed in the reconvening of the body to consider concerns outlined by the U.S. Department of Justice.
“We explained that since there were no changes made to the draft document by the Congress, the Justice Department determined that there would not be an official conveyance of the document from the White House to the Convention,” Christensen said in a statement.
“The convention is now expected to reconvene and make a decision on the nine points outlined by the Department of Justice before sending it to the governor and President Obama,” she said. “It would then go on to the voters for consideration.”
But Christensen’s office will officially transmit the congressional resolution and testimony to the convention and make sure it has all the relevant documentation, according to the statement.
“The ball is now in their court,” Christensen said, urging them to formally submit their budget to the U.S. Department of Interior in order to start up funding.
Reached Friday afternoon by telephone, convention President Gerard "Luz" James II said they would submit a budget within a week.
"We put a budget together already, but we have to revise it and submit it to Interior," James said. After that, it is a matter of waiting for Interior to process the request and disburse funding.
During Thursday’s conference call, James asked for a clear written statement of what is expected of them, he said.
"Many things are said about the law and people misconstrue its intent, so I want to be sure we are heading on the right path," he said.
Most states, territories and countries have a constitutional framework underpinning the laws and institutions of a government and it is time for the U.S. Virgin Islands to follow suit, he said.
"It has been a long, arduous task, it certainly ought to be complete and we will stick with it all the way," he said.
