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THOMAS- Members of the Committee on Rules and Judiciary chaired by Sen. Janelle K. Sarauw, convened in a meeting at the Capitol Building on Thursday, to receive testimony on Bill No. 33-0126-An Act amending Title 3, chapter 1 of the Virgin Islands Code by adding a new section 27i establishing the Virgin Islands Office of Gun Violence Prevention under the Office of the Governor. However, the Bill would not gain traction as it was voted to be held in Committee.
The measure seeks to establish and task the Virgin Islands Office of Gun Violence Prevention to develop effective strategies to reduce and prevent gun violence in the Virgin Islands. Furthermore, the bill calls for the Office to collaborate with non-governmental agencies and providers involved in gun violence prevention, organize initiatives to bring community awareness, establish a resource line for referrals and counseling, and to improve the relationship between law enforcement and the community. “The Virgin Islands rank third in the world for gun violence according to statistics from the United Nations. We have to be ambitious to eradicate gun violence in our community while dealing with the COVID-19 Pandemic,” said Sen. Myron Jackson, sponsor of the bill. However, Sen. Oakland Benta stated that the bill is redundant. “I am a stern believer that this venture is one that exists within the government already to include the Bureau of Corrections, the Office of the Attorney General, the Law Enforcement Planning Commission, and the Virgin Islands Police Department.”
To strengthen the bill, the Office of the Attorney General Denise George suggested establishing a timeline to analyze data, codifying a gun violence plan, and for the Office to collaborate with researchers from the University of the Virgin Islands and other academic institutions to assist with the process. In response to Sen. Sarauw’s inquiry whether there is a disconnect between the V.I. Police Department and the Department of Justice; George mentioned that both entities have a very good relationship and work closely to combat crime in the Territory.
Separately, lawmakers voted and approved the following:
- Bill No. 33-0054- An Act amending Title 11 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 23 for Small Business Development.
- Bill No. 33-0106- An Act amending Title 6 of the Virgin Islands Code by adding a new chapter 11 prohibiting various uses of unmanned aircraft, also known as drones.
- Bill No. 33-0217- An Act authorizing the Department of Property and Procurement in conjunction with other agencies to refurbish the building located at No. 1 Norre Gade on St. Thomas and convert it into public restrooms to be used by the public, including tourists.
However, senators voted to hold in committee at the call of the Chair: Bill No. 33-0250- An Act amending Title 3, chapter 9, section 134a, subsection (b) of the Virgin Islands Code, relating to the duties of the Department of Public Works, Division of Capital Improvement in administering and coordinating capital improvement projects, to require that a Front-End Engineering and Design is completed for each capital improvement project of the various departments and agencies of GVI before the procurement of engineering and construction services.
All approved items will be forwarded to the Full Body for further consideration.
Dayna Clendinen, Director, Division of Personnel and Group Health Insurance would like to announce Virtual African Dance Classes and Virtual Vegan Cooking Classes. In recognizing the impact that this global pandemic has had on our physical and mental health, well-being, families, schools and community overall, the division in conjunction with WTJX – Public Broadcasting System will be airing these classes which will allow members of the community to maintain a more healthful lifestyle while also maintaining the social distancing requirements. These classes will encourage people to become mindful of actions they can take to engage their mind and body and empowering people to make better health choices. These classes are also designed to help manage their stress levels and make long term health and wellness changes.
Join us and learn upbeat African dance moves while working up a sweat and make easy and healthy plant-based meals with our instructors Empress- Addaliah Potter and Empress- Atiyah Potter who are sisters that reside in the same household. We strongly recommend that you consult with your physician or health care provider before engaging in any exercise program. If you experience faintness, dizziness, pain, or shortness of breath at any time while performing these dances, please stop immediately and be sure to stay hydrated.
Air dates and times are as follows:
- “African Fitness Dance Sessions” will premiere on June 15, 2020 through June 18, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. and will repeat on Saturdays at 2:00 p.m.
- “Easy-to-Make Vegan Dishes” will premiere on June 22, 2020 through June 25, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. and will repeat on Saturdays at 2:30 p.m.
The programs will also be streamed on WTJX’s Facebook page. In addition to, viewers can watch the programs at any time on their demand site at video.wtjx.org. The Division of Personnel continues to provide high quality-oriented wellness initiatives, challenges and programs giving everyone the opportunity to be healthy and happy and actively engage in their health and wellness insurance benefits.
For more details on these series please contact Ladee Shanna Martin, Wellness Program Coordinator at 774-8588 extension 5252 or via email atladeeshanna.martin@dop.vi.gov. Continue to stay safe and healthy!
Pandemic EBT to Feed Children during COVID-19 National Emergency
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, today released the following statement that the US Virgin Islands has been approved to operate Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT), a new program authorized by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which provides assistance to families of children eligible for free or reduced-price meals dealing with school closures:
“The U.S. Virgin Islands will be able to operate Pandemic EBT, a supplemental food purchasing benefit to current SNAP participants and as a new EBT benefit to other eligible households to offset the cost of meals that would have otherwise been consumed at school. For the 2019-2020 school year, the US Virgin Islands had approximately 13,200 children eligible for free and reduced-priced lunch (all children in participating schools).
“Under FFCRA, States have the option to submit a plan to the Secretary of Agriculture for providing these benefits to SNAP and non-SNAP households with children who have temporarily lost access to free or reduced-price school meals due to pandemic-related school closures. State agencies may operate Pandemic EBT when a school is closed for at least five consecutive days during a public health emergency designation during which the school would otherwise be in session.
“The implementation of Pandemic EBT is in line with USDA’s commitment and the efforts of my office to keep Virgin Islanders safe, secure, and healthy during this national emergency and to keep Virgin Island children fed when schools are closed. My office is working with the USDA and local authorities to ensure schools and other program operators can continue to feed children. This latest action complements previously announced flexibilities for the Child Nutrition programs that:
- Allow parents and guardians to pick up meals to bring home to their kids;
- Temporarily waive mealtimes requirements to make it easier to pick up multiple-days’ worth of meals at once;
- Allow meals to be served in non-congregate settings to support social distancing;
- Waive the requirement that afterschool meals and snacks served through certain programs be accompanied by educational activities to minimize exposure to the novel coronavirus; and
- Allow states, on an individual state-by-state basis, to serve free meals to children in all areas, rather than only those in areas where at least half of students receive free or reduced-price meals.
“Today’s announcement is the latest in a series of actions that USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service has taken to uphold the USDA’s commitment to ‘Do Right and Feed Everyone’ during this national emergency.
“USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) administers 15 nutrition assistance programs that leverage American’s agricultural abundance to ensure children and low-income individuals and families have nutritious food to eat. FNS also co-develops the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which provide science-based nutrition recommendations and serve as the cornerstone of federal nutrition policy.”
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement regarding a $1.6 million grant for WAPA from FEMA to go towards the rebuilding of the U.S. Virgin Islands associated with Hurricanes Maria and Irma:
“Today, I am pleased to announce a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The grant is for $1,674,043.04 in federal funding to the V.I. Water and Power Authority (WAPA) Management Costs. Management Costs are any indirect costs and administrative expenses that are reasonably incurred by a Grantee in administering a grant award. During the incident period, Hurricane Maria caused severe winds, heavy rainfall, and flooding that inundated the power generation, transmission, and distribution facilities of the WAPA facilities on St. John. Project scope of work included within this Management Cost Award are: emergency protective measures for power restoration, drinking water distribution; and permanent work repairs to St. John Water System Facilities, which include water tanks and a well.
“This important grant will benefit the Virgin Islands tremendously with our ongoing rebuilding efforts making the Virgin Islands whole again after experiencing two devastating hurricanes. The United States government and the international community has an obligation to work with the affected local governments to restore infrastructure, provide critical humanitarian assistance, and help recover and build back our islands.”