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U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has named former Senator Allison DeGazon to take the position of Director of the Division of Economic Research effective Monday, February 15, 2021.
The Division of Economic Research provides reliable and quality statistics to enhance the social and economic development of U.S. Virgin Islands through statistical analysis and reports in support of public-sector and private-sector decision-making. The Division, formerly known as the Bureau of Economic Research, was under the Office of Management and Budget before becoming a division under the Office of the Governor.
“It is imperative that we build a unit in the Virgin Islands that generates, complies, analyzes and distributes data to support our public and private sector,” Dr. DeGazon said. “I intend to lead the charge in ensuring that our local data is accurate and accessible so that our policymakers can drive effective public policy and spur economic growth.”
Before being elected as a member of the 33rd Legislature where she served as Chairwoman of the Senate’s Economic Development, Regulations and Agriculture Committee, Dr. DeGazon served as Assistant Director at the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency from 2015-2017 and as Territorial Director of Unemployment Insurance at the Virgin islands Labor Department from 2012-2015. She holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of the Virgin Islands and a Ph.D in Creative Leadership, Innovation and Change from the University of the Virgin Islands and Buffalo State College.
In addition, Dr. DeGazon is a member of a number of economic research groups in the Caribbean, United States and Canada, and she is a representative of the Virgin Islands in the Caribbean Agri-Economic Society. Dr. DeGazon also is the owner of Cruzan Organix Farm, Inc. and Business Strategies, Inc.
The Bryan-Roach Administration is committed to transparency, stabilizing the economy, restoring trust in the government and ensuring the disaster recovery is completed as quickly as possible.
30 Members of Congress Ask for Same Consideration of Criminal Offenses that Acting AG Rosen Recommended for BLM Protesters and Consideration of All Other Relevant Charges
Stockton, CA – In response to the terrorist attack on the U.S. Capitol, Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-09) sent a letter, signed by 29 of his colleagues, calling on the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to consider bringing against each person connected with the attack the same criminal charges that Acting Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen had encouraged be brought against Black Lives Matter protesters, in addition to all other applicable charges.
The letter states, “We write to request that the U.S. Department of Justice bring the perpetrators of the January 6, 2021, terrorist attack on the United States Capitol to justice. Not since 1814 has our country seen an attack of this scale upon the Capitol and direct challenge to the ideals and values that underly our democracy.”
The Members also highlight the September 17, 2020, memorandum issued by Acting Attorney General Rosen following the Black Lives Matter protests. In the memorandum, Acting Attorney General Rosen encouraged U.S. Attorneys to charge protestors with “seditious conspiracy” and outlined a number of other federal charges to be considered – many of which would apply to the terrorist acts committed on January 6th.
The letter continues, “Your September guidance, which includes reference to a number of crimes that expose defendants to lengthy sentences, followed a series of largely peaceful nationwide protests. Now you are faced with a direct attack on the seat of our nation’s government that ended in the death of five individuals, including a law enforcement officer who was protecting lawmakers and staff. As you move forward with investigating the terrorist attack on the Capitol, we expect that you will fully consider the criminal offenses you cited in your September guidance and all other relevant charges for each person connected with carrying out the attack.”
The following Members joined Rep. McNerney in sending the letter: Representatives Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Jared Huffman (CA-02), André Carson (IN-07), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Tom Malinowski (NJ-07), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Mike Thompson (CA-05), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03), Stacey E. Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands), Mike Doyle (PA-18), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Grace Meng (NY-06), Mondaire Jones (NY-17), Judy Chu (CA-27), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D- DC), Grace Napolitano (CA-32), Peter Welch (VT-At Large), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), John Garamendi (CA-03), Marie Newman (IL-03), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), and Jahana Hayes (CT -05).
A full copy of the letter can be found here.
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06) joined by 107 members sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office demanding an investigation into the security failure in the January 6th attacks on the U.S. Capitol.
“In the aftermath of one of the darkest days in our nation’s history, we are forced to reconcile with difficult truths about failures of leadership and preparation. The failures of security are far more easily corrected than the failure to lead and the abuse of the public trust. Now we must seek the facts and follow them to their clear conclusion, regardless of how difficult that end may be. Your comprehensive and independent investigation into these matters is essential to ensuring that the events of yesterday will never again be allowed to occur in America,” the lawmakers write to GAO in the letter.
Full text of the letter here and below:
The Honorable Gene L. Dodaro
Comptroller General of the United States
Government Accountability Office
Dear Comptroller General Dodaro:
We write to you today with grave urgency over the acts of insurrection that occurred yesterday at the United States Capitol complex and the unprecedented incitement and security failures that directly led to the overrun of government offices by terrorists.
In the months leading up to January 6, 2021, there was an online movement to organize a large gathering of protestors to descend on Washington, D.C. to dispute the outcome of the election, consistent with the President’s baseless claims of fraud and at his urging. Among those that may have had peaceful intentions, there is robust reporting that indicated detailed preparations for seditious or violent confrontation were being made on social media. In the past several days, as supporters of the President traveled to Washington, there were numerous documented antagonistic confrontations of public officials, instances of intimidation, and seizure of weaponry that forebode conflict. On the morning of January 6, 2021, the planned large gathering began with an event in front of the White House where numerous individuals, including the President of the United States and his associates, spoke in clear and deliberate fashion about confrontation at the Capitol, the illegitimacy of the electoral process, and “trial by combat”. In doing so, the President created the tinder box of conditions for uncontrollable confrontation, added accelerant with his rhetoric, and lit the match.
Immediately following the President’s remarks, the newly-incited mob outside of the White House moved to the Capitol Complex and joined with protestors outside of the Capitol. Shortly thereafter, the mob moved on the Capitol building and the congressional office buildings and, despite valiant efforts from some law enforcement personnel, swiftly broke through barricades and overran the Capitol. The terrorists broke windows and doors, ransacked offices, threatened the safety of Members and staff, and ultimately gained unfettered control of the Senate floor. After seizing control of the Capitol, the terrorists were able to maintain control for hours before exiting at their own accord and without arrest.
In addition to the destruction at the Capitol, Members and staff located in the office complex were forced to shelter in place – many forced to use furniture to reinforce office doors. Nearby residences and offices were forced to evacuate due to the uncontrolled security situation and a number of improvised explosive device threats – both confirmed and reported. Public safety became so compromised that many felt compelled to call loved ones in the event that the mob broke through the remaining barricades.
Finally, and most seriously for the continuity of government operations, the chaos compromised our national security at the highest levels by endangering the presidential line of succession beginning with the Vice President of the United States and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. With hundreds of thousands of American servicemembers, diplomats, and aid workers deployed overseas, many in dangerous locations, any threat that calls into question the continuity of the United States government to respond to threats jeopardizes the security of all Americans.
In light of the unprecedented attack on the U.S. Capitol and surrounding area, the threat posed to Congress, and the grave risk posed to our national security, we ask that you conduct an urgent investigation into the events leading up to and on January 6, 2021 including, but not limited to, the following:
1) Scale and adequacy of security preparations by relevant law enforcement and defense entities, including the U.S. Capitol Police, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Department of Defense, and Secret Service.
2) Extent of coordination between federal and local entities for security and emergency support.
3) Impact of rhetoric by government and elected officials that contributed to or led to the insurrection.
4) Effectiveness of the federal response and coordination with local authorities throughout the course of events.
5) Inappropriate conduct by law enforcement to include taking pictures and opening security barriers.
6) Difference in preparation, coordination, and response compared to other large gatherings in Washington, D.C. in the past four years.
7) Efforts by government and/or elected officials to limit preparation, coordination, or response, particularly regarding the use of force and arrests.
8) Impact on national security-critical operations, including command and control.
We also ask that you provide thorough support to any commissions, or similar entities, established by Congress to investigate the failed insurrection on January 6, 2021.
In the aftermath of one of the darkest days in our nation’s history, we are forced to reconcile with difficult truths about failures of leadership and preparation. The failures of security are far more easily corrected than the failure to lead and the abuse of the public trust. Now we must seek the facts and follow them to their clear conclusion, regardless of how difficult that end may be. Your comprehensive and independent investigation into these matters is essential to ensuring that the events of yesterday will never again be allowed to occur in America.
Thank you for your urgent attention to this request and for your service to the country.
Sincerely,
The Comptroller General of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) works in a non-partisan and non-ideological manner with congressional clients and external parties. GAO supports the Congress in meeting its constitutional responsibilities and in helping to improve the performance and ensure the accountability of the federal government for the benefit of the American people. The agency carries out audit, evaluative, and investigative assignments and provides legal analyses to the Congress. GAO performs work at the request of the Congress and under the Comptroller General’s authority.
GVI Loan Securitization, Cannabis Act, Remote Sales Tax Among Topics Under Discussion
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Government Albert Bryan Jr. has been having ongoing discussions with Senators and GERS officials to find solutions to the Government Employees’ Retirement System and the possibility of significant benefits cuts for retirees beginning January 1.
On Monday, the Governor met with several senators to work collaboratively towards a solution to the retirement system’s looming insolvency. Governor Bryan has a follow-up meeting scheduled for later this week.
“We have to hold one head on the GERS and stop the political football. We cannot wait, and our retirees certainly cannot afford for us to wait,” Governor Bryan said. “We have to make a decision about what we are going to do. This is bigger than any of us. If our pension system goes, then everything else goes.”
Governor Bryan said his administration are committed to working with GERS officials and the 33rd Legislature on moving forward with a legislative package comprising his Cannabis Use Act and a second Internal Revenue Matching Fund debt refinancing deal before the end of December. The Governor also expressed his support for the proposed Remote Sales Tax legislation that is being put forward by Senate President Novelle Francis Jr.
The governor’s Cannabis Use Act proposes to make lawful the use of Cannabis for non-medical purposes and to remit 75 percent of all revenues from cannabis taxes and seller-licensing and other fees toward the GERS. That measure has been before the 33rd Legislature since December 2019 and was amended to include changes requested by members of the 33rd Legislature before being resubmitted in May 2020. The existing Cannabis law only authorizes medicinal use and generates little to no tax revenues.
In August of 2020, Governor Bryan proposed legislation to the 33rd Legislature seeking authorization to refinance the territory’s existing debt on its Internal Revenue Matching Fund bonds. The refinancing of those bonds would have yielded $255 million to the Territory over three years and saved the Virgin Islands $44 million over the existing term of the bond note.
The Legislature approved the Governor’s request to proceed with the refinancing in September. However, the last-minute filing of a temporary restraining order created uncertainties that deprived the administration of the opportunity to successfully re-enter the bond market and close before the authorization’s sunset date on September 29, 2020, as required by law. The restraining order ultimately was retracted but not before stalling the transaction.
Because of the great interest by potential bondholders in the original refinancing initiative, the Territory is in a very good position to go forward with this second opportunity to save the GERS.
The Remote Sales Tax bill that Senator Francis is proposing is similar to a bill proposed by Governor Bryan and is patterned after an Internet Sales Tax. The Governor and Senators currently are combining the two bills into legislation acceptable to both parties. Revenues from a Remote Sales Tax could be used to pays GERS’ unfunded mandate.
Under the proposed law, which still is being developed, the Territory would collect Gross Receipts Taxes for sales made by businesses that don’t have a physical presence in the U.S. Virgin Islands. When the finalized bill is presented, those items could include sales of tangible personal property; sales of services; sales of any product transferred electronically; and other internet sales and remote transactions.