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Senate President Donna Frett-Gregory Thanks Colleagues for Successful Session - Legislature of the United States Virgin Islands Close About Us History Functions and Structure FY 2026 Budget Honor Roll Rules of the 36th Legislative Youth Advisory Council Application Careers Archives Legislative Archives Tours × St. Thomas Senators  St. John Senators  St.Croix Senators  Districts All Senators St. Croix St. Thomas - St. John Senator at Large × Committees Committee of the Whole Budget, Appropriation and Finance Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure and Planning Economic Development and Agriculture Education and Workforce Development Government Operations, Veteran Affairs and Consumer Protection Health, Hospitals and Human Services Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety Housing, Transportation and Telecommunications Rules and Judiciary Session Folder × No event found! Calendars Bi-Weekly Senate Calendar Session Agenda × Dialog window Dialog window General Senators Committees Media Calendars Contact News | Press Releases Senate President Donna Frett-Gregory Thanks Colleagues for Successful Session Published: Aug 4, 2021 Search for: St. Thomas, USVI – Senate President Donna A. Frett-Gregory thanks her colleagues today for a successful session and for their continued cooperation to ensuring the safety of members and staff of the institution. Frett-Gregory explained that the start of session was delayed as the institution was awaiting COVID-19 test results from the V.I. Department of Health, which was not received when session was called to order. The Legislature, however, had covid-19 rapid test kits, and members and staff were able to have the rapid test administered to allow for entrance into the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Chambers. During today’s session a number of legislations were considered and adopted. Of note, Bill No. 34-0004, known as the fuel tax bill, which ensures that taxes due and owing to the Government of the Virgin Islands are paid immediately upon entry was successfully adopted and will be forwarded to the Governor for further consideration and action. “It is necessary that every single penny that belongs to the people of the Virgin Islands is collected,” stated Frett-Gregory. “I would like to thank my colleagues for recognizing the magnitude of this legislation and for their immediate support, and I anticipate seeing an increase in the fuel tax collected annually.” Frett-Gregory also thanked her colleagues for supporting Bill No. 34-0077 to repay the 8% salary reduction that was taken from the employees of the Government of the Virgin Islands, while the nation and the territory were in recession. “The courts have spoken on this matter; it is the right thing to do and now is the right time” said Frett-Gregory. “Amendments were also offered to repay the employees of the semi-autonomous agencies.” Bill No. 34-0060, the First Time Homebuyers Program Act, is a measure that I also was active in the drafting of, will allow middle income Virgin Islanders to be able to purchase a home in our territory. “We have numerous programs for low-income families and veterans. However, programs for working men and women to be able to purchase a home are not readily available,” said Frett-Gregory. “This measure is timely as we continue to encourage professionals to return home.” Senate President Donna Frett-Gregory also noted that two overrides were successfully passed during today’s session. These overrides address long-standing issues with the Water and Power Authority and will bring redress to the people of the territory. Bill No. 34-0021 includes the amendment offered by Frett-Gregory that mandates the Water and Power Authority hire a turnaround management company. Senators also adopted Bill No. 34-0058 which creates the Virgin Islands Catalyst Fund to provide loans to eligible entities to promote economic resiliency, and to support the retention and creation of jobs. Senator Frett-Gregory noted that this measure which promotes economic growth and stability, is aligned with additional measures working their way through the committee process, notably Bill No. 34-0078, which transfers the former Cancryn property to the Virgin Islands Port Authority to expand its transshipment and maritime activities. “We need to continue to work collectively to promote economic growth territorywide,” concluded Frett-Gregory. Find More Search for: Categories News Observances Press Releases Special Events Related Content COMMITTEE REVIEWS FY 2027 EXECUTIVE BUDGET REQUESTS FOR GOVERNOR’S OFFICE, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR’S OFFICE, AND BUREAU OF MOTOR VEHICLES July 23, 2026 ST. CROIX, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – Members of the Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance, chaired by Senator Novelle E. Francis Jr., met in the Frits E. Lawaetz Conference Room to receive testimony on the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budgets for... Read More COMMITTEE RECEIVES UPDATES FROM WASTE MANAGEMENT CONCERNING SEWAGE HEALTH RISKS, CANCER CARE IN THE TERRITORY                                   July 22, 2026 ST. THOMAS, VI – The 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands’ Committee on Health, Hospitals, and Human Services, led by Senator Ray Fonseca, met at the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall.  Lawmakers received testimony concerning the potential and observed public... Read More SENATORS CONSIDER PROPOSED HORSE RACE LEGISLATION IN SPECIAL SESSION  July 22, 2026 Members of the 36th Legislature, led by Senate President Milton E. Potter, convened at the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall. Lawmakers met in special session by request of the governor to consider Bill No. 36-0313, an act approving lease and franchise agreements for the development and operation of the Randall “Doc”... 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