Tuesday, December 13, 2016 VIRGIN ISLANDS The Virgin Islands Daily News 5 M t t t t By JONATHAN AUSTIN during a press conference Monday _ fied if new tax collections from what — worker’s compensation debts to medi- _ cut won’t be enough to convince legis- Daily News Staff morning on St. Croix. he called the Virgin Islands Enhance- cal providers, hospitals and injured _ lators to support Mapp’s proposal. OE The conference originally had been ment and Economic Recovery Act, workers in the territory. “The governor has sent us his ver- Gov. Kenneth Mapp said Monday _ scheduled for Friday on St. Thomas, which must be approved by the Sen- Mapp said Monday that “as of to- sion of the deficit reduction strategy,” he believes the territory must accept a _ but was delayed for no stated reason. ate, total at least $80 million. day,” he was not prepared to call the Graham said. There are parts that federal court ruling that found a 2011 Mapp also announced he has in- He said alcohol and tobacco in the Legislature back into session to ad- senators will support, and “some we government employee pay cut uncon- voked public exigency authority to Virgin Islands is sorely undertaxed, dress his proposal. definitely would not be in favor of,” stitutional. fast track road repairs in the territory. | and 40 million bottles of beer are sold Senate Majority Leader Sammuel _ he said. “After reviewing the case with the at- He described public exigency as each year in the territory. Sanes said Monday he hopes more Graham said paying back the gov- torney general and reviewing the case “sort of a public emergency” declara- Additional tax also would be revenue could be generated through ernment employees should be a prior- with our financial team, I really am of _ tion that should allow the government charged on distilled alcohol and wine. _ the reopening of the St. Croix oil refin- __ ity. the mind that the government of the to more quickly award repair contracts “In addition, we are seeking