U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — During today’s Government House weekly briefing, Governor Albert Bryan Jr. issued a pointed response to inaccuracies and misleading claims made by Senate Majority Leader Kenneth L. Gittens regarding the Territory’s financial management and the proposed expansion of the government’s line of credit.
“As Governor, I have always prioritized transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility in guiding this administration. While I appreciate Senate Majority Leader Kenneth L. Gittens’ concerns, it is imperative to address the inaccuracies in his statement and offer the Virgin Islands public the full truth about the Territory’s financial management and the necessity of expanding our line of credit,” said Governor Bryan.
Governor Bryan outlined key facts in response to Senator Gittens’ mischaracterizations, particularly about how the government of the Virgin Islands is funded and how the administration has managed its finances since taking office in 2019.
Setting the Record Straight: Funding the Government
“First, let’s set the record straight: the Legislature does not fund the government of the Virgin Islands. The revenue we generate through taxes, fees, and other means is what funds our government. The Legislature’s role is to authorize how this revenue can be used, whether it’s paying vendors, issuing tax refunds, or providing the federal match for critical recovery projects,” Bryan explained. “Misleading the public by suggesting otherwise doesn’t help solve our challenges and undermines the hard work my administration is doing every day to meet the needs of the people of the Virgin Islands.”
Real Fiscal Progress Under Governor Bryan’s Leadership
Governor Bryan further emphasized the fiscal progress made under his administration, noting that the government is half a billion dollars less in debt than when he took office, an achievement that underscores the administration’s commitment to responsible financial management.
“This administration has worked diligently to reduce our debt burden while ensuring we continue to deliver critical services to the people of the Virgin Islands. We are not increasing debt for the sake of it; we are managing it to safeguard our future,” Bryan stated.
Addressing Retroactive Wage Payments: A Long-Ignored Issue
Governor Bryan also highlighted his administration’s efforts to address retroactive wage payments, an issue that has been neglected for over 30 years.
“More importantly, this administration is one of only two to make serious progress on the long-ignored issue of retroactive wage payments. In 2022, I made a firm commitment to tackle this $175 million obligation, and since then, we’ve disbursed $43 million. That’s a real, tangible achievement—something that Senator Gittens failed to address during his many years in the Legislature,” Bryan said.
The Necessity of Expanding the Line of Credit
The Governor also addressed the necessity of expanding the Territory’s line of credit, pointing out that it is a modern financial tool essential for maintaining liquidity and cash flow in a government with an operational budget exceeding $1 billion.
“A line of credit is a common-sense, modern financial tool that any government managing an operational budget of our size must have to ensure liquidity and cash flow. We are not asking to spend $50 million on day one—this is about having a financial cushion that ensures we can meet our obligations while maintaining responsible fiscal management,” Bryan asserted.
Bryan clarified that utilizing any portion of the line of credit would not exceed the projected revenue expected to be collected in a given year, countering claims that it would result in irresponsible borrowing.
Responsible Financial Management in Difficult Economic Conditions
Governor Bryan closed by stressing the economic realities facing the Territory, including the federal government’s extension of the corporate income tax filing deadline, which will delay the collection of critical revenue.
“Senator Gittens’ remarks either show a stunning lack of understanding of how modern financial management works or are simply a politically motivated attempt to score cheap points at the expense of the people of the Virgin Islands,” Bryan said. “We are not borrowing for the sake of borrowing. We are taking responsible action to ensure the people of the Virgin Islands get the services, payments, and refunds they are owed without delay.”
Real Solutions for the Virgin Islands
The Governor called for leadership focused on facts and solutions rather than political posturing.
“We need leadership that puts facts above fiction and solutions above soundbites. I remain fully committed to providing that kind of leadership, and I urge the Legislature to join me in supporting this critical request for the benefit of the Virgin Islands community,” Bryan concluded.
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