As he had promised at a Senate Government Operations Committee hearing on an early retirement bill Thursday on St. Thomas, Office of Management and Budget director Ira Mills appeared at the committee's Friday night session on St. John with a prepared response and a draft of a counterproposal.
But Mills and Government House chief labor negotiator Karen Andrews came away from the Cruz Bay hearing saying they were not so committed to their alternative plan that they could not find a middle ground with the bill already before the committee.
"We aren't saying we won't work with them, even if it isn't our bill," Andrews said.
Given the urgency of the payroll situation, committee chair Gregory Bennerson said, he wants to convene a working group involving all parties to the two proposals soon after the third scheduled committee hearing, set for 6 p.m. Monday on St. Croix.
The bill before the committee, No. 23-0205, proposes to reduce the government payroll by offering incentives for early retirement. The tri-island round of public hearings under way was proposed by the bill's sponsors — Sens. Donald "Ducks" Cole, David Jones and Almando "Rocky" Liburd — to garner input from administration officials and the Government Employees Retirement System.
At the first hearing, Thursday on St. Thomas, Mills said he had problems with certain provisions in the Senate bill.
Mills' draft proposal also calls for early retirement incentives but differs from the Senate bill on the size of the lump-sum payment to be offered. The Senate bill calls for 20 percent of the annual salary; Mills' proposal calls for 30 percent.
The two proposals also differ as to which employees would be eligible for retirement. The Senate bill would allow employees with 25 to 29 years of service to pay for advanced service credits and reach their 30-year eligibility status sooner. Cole said if his plan is adopted and if all eligible employees were to sign up for retirement, the government could realize a savings of $2.5 million per pay period.
In his response, Mills agreed with the bill's premise that a dramatic reduction of the government payroll is needed but that massive layoffs would harm the V.I. economy.
The administration plan would allow police, firefighters, some teachers, Justice Department attorneys, corrections officers and Class III employees to opt for early retirement without restrictions called for in the Senate plan.
One of the chief objections Mills had raised on Thursday concerned the Senate plan's provision to exclude essential service workers from the package offered to other government employees. In his prepared response submitted to the committee Friday night, Mills said: "This is blatant discrimination against a group of personnel deemed ‘essential' by this act." He said implementation "could have serious repercussions and place undue hardships on the executive branch of the government in its efforts to streamline government operations and reduce personnel expenditures."
The two plans also differ on the length of time retired employees would have to stay off the job before opting for re-employment. Under Bill 23-0205, those opting for early retirement would have to stay out of the government service for five years. Under Mills' draft, most of those returning within five years of retirement would have to pay back the lump sum payment, their retirement payments would stop, and they would have to resume payments into the GERS. However, there are separate provisions for retiring teachers and cabinet members.
At the St. John hearing, GERS administrator Lawrence Bryan repeated concerns he had expressed earlier about the funding mechanism. While the recent $300 million bond issue includes $15 million earmarked to fund an early retirement plan, GERS and administration officials say the money cannot be used to make direct payments to retirees.
Mills also cited concern expressed by the legal counsel who helped the government obtain the $300 million bond issue that any transfer of funds for reduction of the payroll not disturb the bond's tax exempt status.
"You need to go out and float a pension bond and get it to us and find some way to use that $15 million dollars that they have to make the payments on it," GERS attorney Alphonso Nibbs said. "This will require that it go through an intermediary agency and not a direct payment to the GERS. And if you can work out the mechanisms on that, maybe you can use that $15 million in a way-around manner. . . you can get that money clean so it can come back to us."
Bryan and Nibbs also testified that the system is already burdened by $300 million in unfunded liabilities created by two previous early retirement plans.
Administration officials have said that if they cannot reduce the payroll to 75 percent of the budget by the end of the year, the government could face financial collapse. At the start of the current fiscal year, payroll accounted for 90 percent, Government House spokeswoman Rina McBrowne said, but it is currently down to between 83 and 85 percent. Cole and Liburd said that unless further action is taken, a crippling crisis could occur by the end of this summer.
'FRIENDS ON CAPITOL HILL' PLEDGE V.I. SUPPORT
Gov. Charles Turnbull praised and thanked the congressional delegation visiting the territory this weekend at a reception Saturday night on St. John, commenting on the importance of having "influential friends on Capitol Hill" working with his administration..
At the gathering in the Battery, the governor formally welcomed Reps. Don Young of Alaska and Collin Petersen of Minnesota. Joining them later was Eni Faleomavega, the congressional delegate from another U.S. territory, American Samoa.
The members of Congress were into the second day of their visit to the Virgin Islands, part of a tour of U.S. territories.
Speaking before a host of Cabinet members and other top officials, the governor said, "You would be surprised to know the amount of information these gentlemen have on the Virgin Islands. They know more about this place than some of us do, and we want to thank them for what they have done, what they're doing and what they are thinking to do."
In his brief remarks Turnbull expressed special thanks to Young for, from his position as chair of the House Resources Committee, having helped V.I. Delegate Donna Christian-Christensen learn the in's and out's of Washington lawmaking.
The Resources Committee deals with legislation relating to public lands such as the V.I. National Park. It also addresses matters concerning fish and wildlife and the environment.
Young said one reason he was more than willing to serve as a mentor for Christensen was because Alaska was a U.S. territory for many years before becoming a state. "Your delegate does an excellent job," he said. "I know what you're going through."
Young said he will be leaving his chairmanship of the Resources Committee but pledged to Turnbull that he will continue to assist the territory in his new position as chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
The governor said the territory is fortunate to have senior lawmakers such as Young and Rep. Charles Rangel of New York, who visited the territory two weeks ago, as friends. "We have been able to establish a good rapport," he said.
Rangel also introduced legislation in Congress last week to amend the law that now prevents anyone buying U.S.-made tobacco products stamped "export only" in the Virgin Islands from taking them back to the U.S. mainland. Turnbull said having Rangel's support is almost like having a second delegate in Washington.
Faleomavaega said that as a delegate from a Pacific territory, he has a natural alliance with the Virgin Islands and a shared love of island life. He said a big challenge is to move his agenda through a Congress where territorial delegates do not have voting power.
Faleomavaega said he, like Christensen, has to work 10 times as hard as a mainland representative to get the support of fellow members of Congress. Some of them, he said, don't even know where his home district is. He recalled a speaking occasion where one colleague introduced him as the "delegate from Somalia."
The delegation arrived on St. Thomas on Friday, met with members of the 23rd Legislature and were treated to an evening of entertainment at the St. John Westin Resort. They were scheduled to tour the V.I. National Park and meet with residents of Water Island on Sunday before leaving the territory.
At the gathering in the Battery, the governor formally welcomed Reps. Don Young of Alaska and Collin Petersen of Minnesota. Joining them later was Eni Faleomavega, the congressional delegate from another U.S. territory, American Samoa.
The members of Congress were into the second day of their visit to the Virgin Islands, part of a tour of U.S. territories.
Speaking before a host of Cabinet members and other top officials, the governor said, "You would be surprised to know the amount of information these gentlemen have on the Virgin Islands. They know more about this place than some of us do, and we want to thank them for what they have done, what they're doing and what they are thinking to do."
In his brief remarks Turnbull expressed special thanks to Young for, from his position as chair of the House Resources Committee, having helped V.I. Delegate Donna Christian-Christensen learn the in's and out's of Washington lawmaking.
The Resources Committee deals with legislation relating to public lands such as the V.I. National Park. It also addresses matters concerning fish and wildlife and the environment.
Young said one reason he was more than willing to serve as a mentor for Christensen was because Alaska was a U.S. territory for many years before becoming a state. "Your delegate does an excellent job," he said. "I know what you're going through."
Young said he will be leaving his chairmanship of the Resources Committee but pledged to Turnbull that he will continue to assist the territory in his new position as chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
The governor said the territory is fortunate to have senior lawmakers such as Young and Rep. Charles Rangel of New York, who visited the territory two weeks ago, as friends. "We have been able to establish a good rapport," he said.
Rangel also introduced legislation in Congress last week to amend the law that now prevents anyone buying U.S.-made tobacco products stamped "export only" in the Virgin Islands from taking them back to the U.S. mainland. Turnbull said having Rangel's support is almost like having a second delegate in Washington.
Faleomavaega said that as a delegate from a Pacific territory, he has a natural alliance with the Virgin Islands and a shared love of island life. He said a big challenge is to move his agenda through a Congress where territorial delegates do not have voting power.
Faleomavaega said he, like Christensen, has to work 10 times as hard as a mainland representative to get the support of fellow members of Congress. Some of them, he said, don't even know where his home district is. He recalled a speaking occasion where one colleague introduced him as the "delegate from Somalia."
The delegation arrived on St. Thomas on Friday, met with members of the 23rd Legislature and were treated to an evening of entertainment at the St. John Westin Resort. They were scheduled to tour the V.I. National Park and meet with residents of Water Island on Sunday before leaving the territory.
'FRIENDS ON CAPITOL HILL' PLEDGE V.I. SUPPORT
Gov. Charles Turnbull praised and thanked the congressional delegation visiting the territory this weekend at a reception Saturday night on St. John, commenting on the importance of having "influential friends on Capitol Hill" working with his administration.
At the gathering in the Battery, the governor formally welcomed Reps. Don Young of Alaska and Collin Petersen of Minnesota. Joining them later was Eni Faleomavega, the congressional delegate from another U.S. territory, American Samoa.
The members of Congress were into the second day of their visit to the Virgin Islands, part of a tour of U.S. territories.
Speaking before a host of Cabinet members and other top officials, the governor said, "You would be surprised to know the amount of information these gentlemen have on the Virgin Islands. They know more about this place than some of us do, and we want to thank them for what they have done, what they're doing and what they are thinking to do."
In his brief remarks Turnbull expressed special thanks to Young for, from his position as chair of the House Resources Committee, having helped V.I. Delegate Donna Christian- Christensen learn the in's and out's of Washington lawmaking.
The Resources Committee deals with legislation relating to public lands such as the V.I. National Park. It also addresses matters concerning fish and wildlife and the environment.
Young said one reason he was more than willing to serve as a mentor for Christensen was because Alaska was a U.S. territory for many years before becoming a state. "Your delegate does an excellent job," he said. "I know what you're going through."
Young said he will be leaving his chairmanship of the Resources Committee but pledged to Turnbull that he will continue to assist the territory in his new position as chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
The governor said the territory is fortunate to have senior lawmakers such as Young and Rep. Charles Rangel of New York, who visited the territory two weeks ago, as friends. "We have been able to establish a good rapport," he said.
Rangel also introduced legislation in Congress last week to amend the law that now prevents anyone buying U.S.-made tobacco products stamped "export only" in the Virgin Islands from taking them back to the U.S. mainland. Turnbull said having Rangel's support is almost like having a second delegate in Washington.
Faleomavaega said that as a delegate from a Pacific territory, he has a natural alliance with the Virgin Islands and a shared love of island life. He said a big challenge is to move his agenda through a Congress where territorial delegates do not have voting power.
Faleomavaega said he, like Christensen, has to work 10 times as hard as a mainland representative to get the support of fellow members of Congress. Some of them, he said, don't even know where his home district is. He recalled a speaking occasion where one colleague introduced him as the "delegate from Somalia."
The delegation arrived on St. Thomas Friday, met with members of the 23rd Legislature and were treated to an evening of entertainment at the St. John Westin Resort. They were scheduled to tour the V.I. National Park and meet with residents of Water Island on Sunday before leaving the territory.
At the gathering in the Battery, the governor formally welcomed Reps. Don Young of Alaska and Collin Petersen of Minnesota. Joining them later was Eni Faleomavega, the congressional delegate from another U.S. territory, American Samoa.
The members of Congress were into the second day of their visit to the Virgin Islands, part of a tour of U.S. territories.
Speaking before a host of Cabinet members and other top officials, the governor said, "You would be surprised to know the amount of information these gentlemen have on the Virgin Islands. They know more about this place than some of us do, and we want to thank them for what they have done, what they're doing and what they are thinking to do."
In his brief remarks Turnbull expressed special thanks to Young for, from his position as chair of the House Resources Committee, having helped V.I. Delegate Donna Christian- Christensen learn the in's and out's of Washington lawmaking.
The Resources Committee deals with legislation relating to public lands such as the V.I. National Park. It also addresses matters concerning fish and wildlife and the environment.
Young said one reason he was more than willing to serve as a mentor for Christensen was because Alaska was a U.S. territory for many years before becoming a state. "Your delegate does an excellent job," he said. "I know what you're going through."
Young said he will be leaving his chairmanship of the Resources Committee but pledged to Turnbull that he will continue to assist the territory in his new position as chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
The governor said the territory is fortunate to have senior lawmakers such as Young and Rep. Charles Rangel of New York, who visited the territory two weeks ago, as friends. "We have been able to establish a good rapport," he said.
Rangel also introduced legislation in Congress last week to amend the law that now prevents anyone buying U.S.-made tobacco products stamped "export only" in the Virgin Islands from taking them back to the U.S. mainland. Turnbull said having Rangel's support is almost like having a second delegate in Washington.
Faleomavaega said that as a delegate from a Pacific territory, he has a natural alliance with the Virgin Islands and a shared love of island life. He said a big challenge is to move his agenda through a Congress where territorial delegates do not have voting power.
Faleomavaega said he, like Christensen, has to work 10 times as hard as a mainland representative to get the support of fellow members of Congress. Some of them, he said, don't even know where his home district is. He recalled a speaking occasion where one colleague introduced him as the "delegate from Somalia."
The delegation arrived on St. Thomas Friday, met with members of the 23rd Legislature and were treated to an evening of entertainment at the St. John Westin Resort. They were scheduled to tour the V.I. National Park and meet with residents of Water Island on Sunday before leaving the territory.
HELP SHOULD COME FASTER 'BY THE NUMBERS'
St. John residents now have, or soon will have, an additional identification number to commit to memory, one that will assist emergency services personnel in responding quickly to calls for help.
In a partnership between Fire Services and island residents, a project is under way to post these emergency service — or "E.S." — locator numbers on utility poles around St. John. So far, according to Brian Chapman, deputy fire chief for St. John, signs bearing E.S. numbers have been affixed to poles in Chocolate Hole East, Great Cruz Bay, Gifthill Road, Fish Bay, Rock Ridge and, to some extent, Bordeaux.
"These numbers eliminate the need for maps and complicated directions," Chapman said. For example, he said, someone would call 911 and state, "We have a car fire at Gifthill Road E.S. No. 28," or "We need an ambulance to respond to Fish Bay E.S. No. 12-E."
The St. John firefighters "are painting the numbers when we can," he said, "but we need you, the private citizens, to help do your own neighborhood." So far, homeowners in Great Cruz Bay and Fish Bay and Bruce McMakin and homeowners in Rock Ridge have taken the initiative to do so, he said.
Anyone who doesn't have an E.S. number displayed right by their residence should "use the closest number to you and add directions from there" in case of emergency, Chapman said. For example, he said, a caller might say, "Come to Bordeaux Mountain Road E.S. No. 36, then turn right and go down to the blue house."
Eventually, he said, as the firefighters and volunteers get to the secondary roads around the island, everyone should have an E.S. number fairly close to their residence.
Chapman asked that anyone wanting more information about St. John's emergency services numbering system and anyone willing to help put up the signs call him at the Cruz Bay fire station, 776-6333.
In a partnership between Fire Services and island residents, a project is under way to post these emergency service — or "E.S." — locator numbers on utility poles around St. John. So far, according to Brian Chapman, deputy fire chief for St. John, signs bearing E.S. numbers have been affixed to poles in Chocolate Hole East, Great Cruz Bay, Gifthill Road, Fish Bay, Rock Ridge and, to some extent, Bordeaux.
"These numbers eliminate the need for maps and complicated directions," Chapman said. For example, he said, someone would call 911 and state, "We have a car fire at Gifthill Road E.S. No. 28," or "We need an ambulance to respond to Fish Bay E.S. No. 12-E."
The St. John firefighters "are painting the numbers when we can," he said, "but we need you, the private citizens, to help do your own neighborhood." So far, homeowners in Great Cruz Bay and Fish Bay and Bruce McMakin and homeowners in Rock Ridge have taken the initiative to do so, he said.
Anyone who doesn't have an E.S. number displayed right by their residence should "use the closest number to you and add directions from there" in case of emergency, Chapman said. For example, he said, a caller might say, "Come to Bordeaux Mountain Road E.S. No. 36, then turn right and go down to the blue house."
Eventually, he said, as the firefighters and volunteers get to the secondary roads around the island, everyone should have an E.S. number fairly close to their residence.
Chapman asked that anyone wanting more information about St. John's emergency services numbering system and anyone willing to help put up the signs call him at the Cruz Bay fire station, 776-6333.
COMPROMISE EYED ON 2 EARLY RETIREMENT PLANS
As he had promised at a Senate Government Operations Committee meeting on an early retirement bill Thursday on St. Thomas, Office of Management and Budget director Ira Mills appeared at the committee's Friday night hearing on St. John with a prepared response and a draft of a counterproposal.
But Mills and Government House chief labor negotiator Karen Andrews came away from the Cruz Bay hearing saying they were not so committed to their alternative plan that they could not find a middle ground with the bill already before the committee.
"We aren't saying we won't work with them, even if it isn't our bill," Andrews said.
The bill before the committee, No. 23-0205, proposes to reduce the government payroll by offering incentives for early retirement. The tri-island round of public hearings under way was proposed by the bill's sponsors — Sens. Donald "Ducks" Cole, David Jones and Almando "Rocky" Liburd — to garner input from administration officials and the Government Employees Retirement System.
At the first hearing Thursday on St. Thomas, Mills said he had problems with certain provisions in the Senate bill.
Mills' draft proposal also calls for early retirement incentives but differs from the Senate bill on the size of the lump-sum payment to be offered. The Senate bill calls for 20 percent of the annual salary; Mills' proposal calls for 30 percent.
The two proposals also differ on which employees would be eligible for retirement. The Senate bill would allow employees with 25 to 29 years of service to pay for advanced service credits and reach their 30-year eligibility status sooner. Cole said if his plan is adopted and if all eligible employees were to sign up for retirement, the government could realize a savings of $2.5 million per pay period.
In his response, Mills agreed with the bill's premise that a dramatic reduction of the government payroll is needed but that massive layoffs would harm the V.I. economy.
The administration plan would allow police, firefighters, some teachers, Justice Department attorneys, corrections officers and Class III employees to opt for early retirement without restrictions called for in the Senate plan.
One of the chief objections Mills raised Thursday concerned the Senate plan's provision to exclude essential service workers from the package offered to other government employees. In his prepared response submitted to the committee Friday night, Mills said: "This is blatant discrimination against a group of personnel deemed ‘essential' by this act." He said implementation "could have serious repercussions and place undue hardships on the executive branch of the government in its efforts to streamline government operations and reduce personnel expenditures."
The two plans also differ on the length of time retired employees would have to stay off the job before opting for re-employment. Under Bill 23-0205, those opting for early retirement would have to stay out of the government service for five years. Under Mills' draft, most of those returning within five years of retirement would have to pay back the lump sum payment, their retirement payments would stop, and they would have to resume payments into the GERS. However, there are separate provisions for retiring teachers and Cabinet members.
At the St. John hearing, GERS administrator Lawrence Bryan repeated his concerns about the funding mechanism. While the recent $300 million bond issue includes $15 million earmarked to fund an early retirement plan, GERS and administration officials say the money cannot be used to make direct payments to retirees.
Mills also cited concerns of the attorneys who helped the government obtain the $300 million bond issue that any transfer of funds for reduction of the payroll not disturb the bond's tax-exempt status.
"You need to go out and float a pension bond and get it to us and find some way to use that $15 million that they have to make the payments on it," GERS attorney Alphonso Nibbs said. "This will require that it go through an intermediary agency and not a direct payment to the GERS. And if you can work out the mechanisms on that, maybe you can use that $15 million in a way-around manner. . . you can get that money clean so it can come back to us."
Bryan and Nibbs also testified that the system is already burdened by $300 million in unfunded liabilities created by two previous early retirement plans.
Given the urgency of the situation, committee chair Gregory Bennerson said, he wants to convene a working group involving all parties to the two proposals soon after the third scheduled committee hearing, set for 6 p.m. Monday on St. Croix.
Administration officials have said that if they cannot reduce the payroll to 75 percent of the budget by the end of the year, the government could face financial collapse. At the start of the current fiscal year, payroll accounted for 90 percent, Government House spokeswoman Rina McBrowne said, but it is currently down to between 83 and 85 percent. Cole and Liburd said that unless further action is taken, a crippling crisis could occur by the end of this summer.
But Mills and Government House chief labor negotiator Karen Andrews came away from the Cruz Bay hearing saying they were not so committed to their alternative plan that they could not find a middle ground with the bill already before the committee.
"We aren't saying we won't work with them, even if it isn't our bill," Andrews said.
The bill before the committee, No. 23-0205, proposes to reduce the government payroll by offering incentives for early retirement. The tri-island round of public hearings under way was proposed by the bill's sponsors — Sens. Donald "Ducks" Cole, David Jones and Almando "Rocky" Liburd — to garner input from administration officials and the Government Employees Retirement System.
At the first hearing Thursday on St. Thomas, Mills said he had problems with certain provisions in the Senate bill.
Mills' draft proposal also calls for early retirement incentives but differs from the Senate bill on the size of the lump-sum payment to be offered. The Senate bill calls for 20 percent of the annual salary; Mills' proposal calls for 30 percent.
The two proposals also differ on which employees would be eligible for retirement. The Senate bill would allow employees with 25 to 29 years of service to pay for advanced service credits and reach their 30-year eligibility status sooner. Cole said if his plan is adopted and if all eligible employees were to sign up for retirement, the government could realize a savings of $2.5 million per pay period.
In his response, Mills agreed with the bill's premise that a dramatic reduction of the government payroll is needed but that massive layoffs would harm the V.I. economy.
The administration plan would allow police, firefighters, some teachers, Justice Department attorneys, corrections officers and Class III employees to opt for early retirement without restrictions called for in the Senate plan.
One of the chief objections Mills raised Thursday concerned the Senate plan's provision to exclude essential service workers from the package offered to other government employees. In his prepared response submitted to the committee Friday night, Mills said: "This is blatant discrimination against a group of personnel deemed ‘essential' by this act." He said implementation "could have serious repercussions and place undue hardships on the executive branch of the government in its efforts to streamline government operations and reduce personnel expenditures."
The two plans also differ on the length of time retired employees would have to stay off the job before opting for re-employment. Under Bill 23-0205, those opting for early retirement would have to stay out of the government service for five years. Under Mills' draft, most of those returning within five years of retirement would have to pay back the lump sum payment, their retirement payments would stop, and they would have to resume payments into the GERS. However, there are separate provisions for retiring teachers and Cabinet members.
At the St. John hearing, GERS administrator Lawrence Bryan repeated his concerns about the funding mechanism. While the recent $300 million bond issue includes $15 million earmarked to fund an early retirement plan, GERS and administration officials say the money cannot be used to make direct payments to retirees.
Mills also cited concerns of the attorneys who helped the government obtain the $300 million bond issue that any transfer of funds for reduction of the payroll not disturb the bond's tax-exempt status.
"You need to go out and float a pension bond and get it to us and find some way to use that $15 million that they have to make the payments on it," GERS attorney Alphonso Nibbs said. "This will require that it go through an intermediary agency and not a direct payment to the GERS. And if you can work out the mechanisms on that, maybe you can use that $15 million in a way-around manner. . . you can get that money clean so it can come back to us."
Bryan and Nibbs also testified that the system is already burdened by $300 million in unfunded liabilities created by two previous early retirement plans.
Given the urgency of the situation, committee chair Gregory Bennerson said, he wants to convene a working group involving all parties to the two proposals soon after the third scheduled committee hearing, set for 6 p.m. Monday on St. Croix.
Administration officials have said that if they cannot reduce the payroll to 75 percent of the budget by the end of the year, the government could face financial collapse. At the start of the current fiscal year, payroll accounted for 90 percent, Government House spokeswoman Rina McBrowne said, but it is currently down to between 83 and 85 percent. Cole and Liburd said that unless further action is taken, a crippling crisis could occur by the end of this summer.
CONSENSUS EYED OVER 2 EARLY RETIREMENT PLANS
As he had promised at a Senate Government Operations Committee meeting on an early retirement bill Thursday on St. Thomas, Office of Management and Budget director Ira Mills appeared at the committee's Friday night hearing on St. John with a prepared response and a draft of a counterproposal.
But Mills and Government House chief labor negotiator Karen Andrews came away from the Cruz Bay hearing saying they were not so committed to their alternative plan that they could not find a middle ground with the bill already before the committee.
"We aren't saying we won't work with them, even if it isn't our bill," Andrews said.
The bill before the committee, No. 23-0205, proposes to reduce the government payroll by offering incentives for early retirement. The tri-island round of public hearings under way was proposed by the bill's sponsors — Sens. Donald "Ducks" Cole, David Jones and Almando "Rocky" Liburd — to garner input from administration officials and the Government Employees Retirement System.
At the first hearing, Thursday on St. Thomas, Mills said he had problems with certain provisions in the Senate bill.
Mills' draft proposal also calls for early retirement incentives but differs from the Senate bill on the size of the lump-sum payment to be offered. The Senate bill calls for 20 percent of the annual salary; Mills' proposal calls for 30 percent.
The two proposals also differ as to which employees would be eligible for retirement. The Senate bill would allow employees with 25 to 29 years of service to pay for advanced service credits and reach their 30-year eligibility status sooner. Cole said if his plan is adopted and if all eligible employees were to sign up for retirement, the government could realize a savings of $2.5 million per pay period.
In his response, Mills agreed with the bill's premise that a dramatic reduction of the government payroll is needed, but the massive layoffs would harm the V.I. economy.
The administration plan would allow police, firefighters, some teachers, Justice Department attorneys, corrections officers and Class III employees to opt for early retirement without restrictions called for in the Senate plan.
One of the chief objections Mills had raised on Thursday concerned the Senate plan's provision to exclude essential service workers from the package offered to other government employees. In his prepared response submitted to the committee Friday night, Mills said: "This is blatant discrimination against a group of personnel deemed ‘essential' by this act." He said implementation "could have serious repercussions and place undue hardships on the executive branch of the government in its efforts to streamline government operations and reduce personnel expenditures."
The two plans also differ on the length of time retired employees would have to stay off the job before opting for re-employment. Under Bill 23-0205, those opting for early retirement would have to stay out of the government service for five years. Under Mills' draft, most of those returning within five years of retirement would have to pay back the lump sum payment, their retirement payments would stop, and they would have to resume payments into the GERS. However, there are separate provisions for retiring teachers and cabinet members.
At the St. John hearing, GERS administrator Lawrence Bryan repeated concerns he had expressed earlier about the funding mechanism. While the recent $300 million bond issue includes $15 million earmarked to fund an early retirement plan, GERS and administration officials say the money cannot be used to make direct payments to retirees.
Mills also cited concern expressed by the legal counsel who helped the government obtain the $300 million bond issue that any transfer of funds for reduction of the payroll not disturb the bond's tax exempt status.
"You need to go out and float a pension bond and get it to us and find some way to use that $15 million dollars that they have to make the payments on it," GERS attorney Alphonso Nibbs said. "This will require that it go through an intermediary agency and not a direct payment to the GERS. And if you can work out the mechanisms on that, maybe you can use that $15 million in a way-around manner. . . you can get that money clean so it can come back to us."
Bryan and Nibbs also testified that the system is already burdened by $300 million in unfunded liabilities created by two previous early retirement plans.
Given the urgency of the situation, committee chair Gregory Bennerson said, he wants to convene a working group involving all parties to the two proposals soon after the third scheduled committee hearing, set for 6 p.m. Monday on St. Croix.
Administration officials have said that if they cannot reduce the payroll to 75 percent of the budget by the end of the year, the government could face financial collapse. At the start of the current fiscal year, payroll accounted for 90 percent, Government House spokeswoman Rina McBrowne said, but it is currently down to between 83 and 85 percent. Cole and Liburd said that unless further action is taken, a crippling crisis could occur by the end of this summer.
But Mills and Government House chief labor negotiator Karen Andrews came away from the Cruz Bay hearing saying they were not so committed to their alternative plan that they could not find a middle ground with the bill already before the committee.
"We aren't saying we won't work with them, even if it isn't our bill," Andrews said.
The bill before the committee, No. 23-0205, proposes to reduce the government payroll by offering incentives for early retirement. The tri-island round of public hearings under way was proposed by the bill's sponsors — Sens. Donald "Ducks" Cole, David Jones and Almando "Rocky" Liburd — to garner input from administration officials and the Government Employees Retirement System.
At the first hearing, Thursday on St. Thomas, Mills said he had problems with certain provisions in the Senate bill.
Mills' draft proposal also calls for early retirement incentives but differs from the Senate bill on the size of the lump-sum payment to be offered. The Senate bill calls for 20 percent of the annual salary; Mills' proposal calls for 30 percent.
The two proposals also differ as to which employees would be eligible for retirement. The Senate bill would allow employees with 25 to 29 years of service to pay for advanced service credits and reach their 30-year eligibility status sooner. Cole said if his plan is adopted and if all eligible employees were to sign up for retirement, the government could realize a savings of $2.5 million per pay period.
In his response, Mills agreed with the bill's premise that a dramatic reduction of the government payroll is needed, but the massive layoffs would harm the V.I. economy.
The administration plan would allow police, firefighters, some teachers, Justice Department attorneys, corrections officers and Class III employees to opt for early retirement without restrictions called for in the Senate plan.
One of the chief objections Mills had raised on Thursday concerned the Senate plan's provision to exclude essential service workers from the package offered to other government employees. In his prepared response submitted to the committee Friday night, Mills said: "This is blatant discrimination against a group of personnel deemed ‘essential' by this act." He said implementation "could have serious repercussions and place undue hardships on the executive branch of the government in its efforts to streamline government operations and reduce personnel expenditures."
The two plans also differ on the length of time retired employees would have to stay off the job before opting for re-employment. Under Bill 23-0205, those opting for early retirement would have to stay out of the government service for five years. Under Mills' draft, most of those returning within five years of retirement would have to pay back the lump sum payment, their retirement payments would stop, and they would have to resume payments into the GERS. However, there are separate provisions for retiring teachers and cabinet members.
At the St. John hearing, GERS administrator Lawrence Bryan repeated concerns he had expressed earlier about the funding mechanism. While the recent $300 million bond issue includes $15 million earmarked to fund an early retirement plan, GERS and administration officials say the money cannot be used to make direct payments to retirees.
Mills also cited concern expressed by the legal counsel who helped the government obtain the $300 million bond issue that any transfer of funds for reduction of the payroll not disturb the bond's tax exempt status.
"You need to go out and float a pension bond and get it to us and find some way to use that $15 million dollars that they have to make the payments on it," GERS attorney Alphonso Nibbs said. "This will require that it go through an intermediary agency and not a direct payment to the GERS. And if you can work out the mechanisms on that, maybe you can use that $15 million in a way-around manner. . . you can get that money clean so it can come back to us."
Bryan and Nibbs also testified that the system is already burdened by $300 million in unfunded liabilities created by two previous early retirement plans.
Given the urgency of the situation, committee chair Gregory Bennerson said, he wants to convene a working group involving all parties to the two proposals soon after the third scheduled committee hearing, set for 6 p.m. Monday on St. Croix.
Administration officials have said that if they cannot reduce the payroll to 75 percent of the budget by the end of the year, the government could face financial collapse. At the start of the current fiscal year, payroll accounted for 90 percent, Government House spokeswoman Rina McBrowne said, but it is currently down to between 83 and 85 percent. Cole and Liburd said that unless further action is taken, a crippling crisis could occur by the end of this summer.
CENSUS WEEK IN THE SCHOOLS
The V.I. Census 2000, in partnership with the Department of Education, will host "Census Week in the Schools," March 20-24.
Students will learn about the census from designed teaching materials "Making Sense of Census 200 – U.S. Virgin Islands."
Local census staff members will visit some of the schools to make presentations to the students.
For more information contact Frank I. Mills, census manageer at 714-3596.
Students will learn about the census from designed teaching materials "Making Sense of Census 200 – U.S. Virgin Islands."
Local census staff members will visit some of the schools to make presentations to the students.
For more information contact Frank I. Mills, census manageer at 714-3596.
CANCRYN BAND AND FLAG GIRLS PARENTS TO MEET
Parents of all members of the Cancryn JHS Marching Band and Flag Girls are asked to attend a meeting at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 25, at the school.
Future events and fund raising activities will be discussed.
Future events and fund raising activities will be discussed.
WAPA GOING UNDERGROUND FOR CRUCIAL AREAS
The Water and Power Authority last week approved a multimillion-dollar plan to place the electricity feeders for the territory’s two main hospitals underground.
Placing the feeders below ground will make it easier to restore service to the hospitals following a hurricane or other disaster, a WAPA release said.
On St. Croix, two contractors will work to place Feeder 4, which serves Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital, underground. V.I. Paving will construct an underground duct bank from Golden Rock to Five Corners at a cost of $460,320. Zenon Construction will complete the feeder project from Five Corners to the hospital at a cost of approximately $1.3 million.
On St. Thomas, the WAPA board approved Island Roads to install the underground duct bank to Roy L. Schneider Hospital and the Hatchette Substation at a cost of approximately $1.8 million. The duct bank will run from Krum Bay to the Vitelco Building and One Stop Gas Station.
The two projects will be 90 percent funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. WAPA will pay the balance. Both projects are expected to be completed by September, historically the height of the hurricane season.
Meanwhile, WAPA began supplying the Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas through underground lines. That project cost more than $1 million. Costs were split 90-10 between the federal government and the utility respectively.
In other action, the WAPA board approved a $769,537 contract with Besco Inc. for a hot gas path inspection and repair of Unit 14. The board also agreed to reactivate the Alva McFarlane Scholarship Program, which grants $160,000 for engineering and computer science majors.
Placing the feeders below ground will make it easier to restore service to the hospitals following a hurricane or other disaster, a WAPA release said.
On St. Croix, two contractors will work to place Feeder 4, which serves Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital, underground. V.I. Paving will construct an underground duct bank from Golden Rock to Five Corners at a cost of $460,320. Zenon Construction will complete the feeder project from Five Corners to the hospital at a cost of approximately $1.3 million.
On St. Thomas, the WAPA board approved Island Roads to install the underground duct bank to Roy L. Schneider Hospital and the Hatchette Substation at a cost of approximately $1.8 million. The duct bank will run from Krum Bay to the Vitelco Building and One Stop Gas Station.
The two projects will be 90 percent funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. WAPA will pay the balance. Both projects are expected to be completed by September, historically the height of the hurricane season.
Meanwhile, WAPA began supplying the Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas through underground lines. That project cost more than $1 million. Costs were split 90-10 between the federal government and the utility respectively.
In other action, the WAPA board approved a $769,537 contract with Besco Inc. for a hot gas path inspection and repair of Unit 14. The board also agreed to reactivate the Alva McFarlane Scholarship Program, which grants $160,000 for engineering and computer science majors.
LET’S STICK TO THE ISSUE
Joe Elmore’s distress is understandable, but the Source’s Open Forum is just that – it puts people’s true nature out in the open. Sometimes that can be a good thing.
Having failed to prove any benefits of their monstrous highway dreams for Charlotte Amalie’s waterfront, the champions of Plan 8 have been driven to attacking the integrity and motives of the other side.
Russell Prendergast’s attack on Jose Ortega is not the first such personal assault. Others have accused the Chamber of Commerce of opposing Plan 8 for strictly selfish reasons, a former chairman of the Historic Preservation Commission for not caring about the Charlotte Amalie’s historic resources, and the League of Women Voters for being negative.
For over 20 years, organizations and individuals have been pleading with the V. I. Department of Public Works (DPW) to give serious consideration to congestion-solving alternatives that are less destructive and costly than filling in the harbor for a four-lane divided highway from the Frenchtown Post Office to heaven knows where.
In those 20 years, from the "Lineal Park Mitigation Plan" to the present Plan 8, not once has DPW afforded serious consideration to recommendations for one-way loops, a park and ride shuttle system, paid curb-side parking in town, staggered work hours, water ferry services, etc., etc., as an integrated whole. Instead, they have taken them up in isolation, and dismissed each one as impractical.
I have been in the fray all along, and I have not noticed many "architects looking for a job"; not on our side anyway.
Mostly those who offer alternatives to the highway are thoughtful St. Thomians who are concerned about increasing sprawl and ugliness, and fearful for the loss of the historic connection of the handsome town of Charlotte Amalie with the beautiful St. Thomas Harbor.
Personally, I am totally frustrated with the lack of foresight of our DPW "highway experts."
I am disgusted with the failure of past administrations to Plan anything; always grabbing at federal funds for quick fixes that are not solutions at all.
So, I say thanks to those who, like Jose Ortega, continue to show us that there is a better way.
Having failed to prove any benefits of their monstrous highway dreams for Charlotte Amalie’s waterfront, the champions of Plan 8 have been driven to attacking the integrity and motives of the other side.
Russell Prendergast’s attack on Jose Ortega is not the first such personal assault. Others have accused the Chamber of Commerce of opposing Plan 8 for strictly selfish reasons, a former chairman of the Historic Preservation Commission for not caring about the Charlotte Amalie’s historic resources, and the League of Women Voters for being negative.
For over 20 years, organizations and individuals have been pleading with the V. I. Department of Public Works (DPW) to give serious consideration to congestion-solving alternatives that are less destructive and costly than filling in the harbor for a four-lane divided highway from the Frenchtown Post Office to heaven knows where.
In those 20 years, from the "Lineal Park Mitigation Plan" to the present Plan 8, not once has DPW afforded serious consideration to recommendations for one-way loops, a park and ride shuttle system, paid curb-side parking in town, staggered work hours, water ferry services, etc., etc., as an integrated whole. Instead, they have taken them up in isolation, and dismissed each one as impractical.
I have been in the fray all along, and I have not noticed many "architects looking for a job"; not on our side anyway.
Mostly those who offer alternatives to the highway are thoughtful St. Thomians who are concerned about increasing sprawl and ugliness, and fearful for the loss of the historic connection of the handsome town of Charlotte Amalie with the beautiful St. Thomas Harbor.
Personally, I am totally frustrated with the lack of foresight of our DPW "highway experts."
I am disgusted with the failure of past administrations to Plan anything; always grabbing at federal funds for quick fixes that are not solutions at all.
So, I say thanks to those who, like Jose Ortega, continue to show us that there is a better way.
