Governor Kenneth E. Mapp is calling on the 32ndLegislature to appropriate an additional $5 million for the payment of tax refunds and to cover outstanding obligations to local waste haulers.
Governor Mapp noted in his letter to Senate President Myron Jackson that his Administration had worked hard to meet the Government’s debt to taxpayers. The Government was five years behind in the payment of refunds when Mr. Mapp was sworn in to office.
“Since taking office in 2015, my Administration has paid $194,709,448.00 for income tax refunds for tax years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and part of 2016,” Governor Mapp wrote.
The Governor is also asking senators to appropriate an additional $10 million to the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority (VIWMA) to pay outstanding obligations to waste haulers and other vendors.
Governor Mapp told President Jackson that, although $4 million had recently been appropriated for the Authority’s vendor payments, the agency was still struggling to pay its vendors and to keep our islands clean.
“The proposed Bill that I have enclosed seeks to appropriate $10 million more to the VIWMA for payments to companies contracted to haul the Territory’s solid waste,” Governor Mapp said. “The protection of the public’s health and environment is of paramount importance warranting the additional appropriation I am requesting and to ensure that the Territory’s solid waste is effectively managed.”