Author: swiftkurrent

St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands– Senator Samuel Carrión today issued a statement in response to  Governor Albert Bryan Jr.’s veto of Bill No. 35-0236, the “21st Century Integrated Digital  Experience Act.” 

“We are deeply disappointed by Governor Bryan’s decision to veto Bill 35-0236, the ‘21st Century  Integrated Digital Experience Act,’ which aimed to bring our governmental agency digital services  into the 21st century. This bill represented a crucial step towards streamlining government  operations, reducing costs, and ensuring that all government services eventually transition to a  paperless system. 

It is regrettable that the Governor has characterized this important measure as ‘expensive and  cumbersome’, although it was vetted and approved by Rupert Ross, the Director of the Bureau of  Information Technology, Julien E. Henley Sr., Territorial ADA Coordinator and Stephan Adams,  President, and CEO of Virgin Islands Next Generation Network 

While we acknowledge the challenges associated with funding and implementing such an initiative, it is precisely this reason the original bill was amended to include the Broadband Quality Access and Development (BEAD) grant as the main funding source within an appropriate timeline.  

It’s this kind of forward-thinking legislation that will ultimately save resources, enhance service  delivery and continue to grow our economy. The cost of inaction is far greater, leaving our digital infrastructure outdated and exposed. 

Senator Carrión stated, “I remain committed to modernizing our government’s digital services and  will continue to work diligently to update our systems to ensure they are user-friendly and  accessible to all, including those in our community with disabilities.” 

I will be seeking the support of my colleagues to override the Governor’s veto at the next  Legislative Session, and I am resolute in my dedication to improving the lives of all Virgin  Islanders through innovative and practical solutions, Senator Carrión concluded.”

Senator Samuel Carrión regrettably is unable to support the $200,000 allocation request made by  Governor Albert Bryan; as the General Fund has severely exceeded its capacity. This asks,  although well intended, is impractical and fiscally irresponsible, as it would further stretch the  finances of the local government. 

“I genuinely sympathize with the urgent need for support and solidarity in the face of the  widespread destruction impacting our neighboring Caribbean brothers and sisters. However, I also  understand, all too well, the frustration and hardship of residents of the Virgin Islands and our  Government’s own significant financial shortcomings.” Carrión Said. 

As a local Government, Senator Samuel Carrión firmly believes that our people are our first priority. Financially, this includes but is not limited to; ensuring we are able to meet the bi-weekly  payroll for all GVI employees, stay current with our obligations to pay GVI operational utilities,  continue to make vendor payments for various mission critical services and many other  obligations. It’s been almost seven years since Hurricanes Irma and Maria and we still have  displaced families, blue roofs over homes and an overall infrastructure in need of repairs. The  relief aide allocation request unfortunately does not align with the current dire needs of the GVI  as well as the GVI fiscal capacity. 

“I wholeheartedly encourage and support any community-based recovery efforts that can be  coordinated between the private sector, private citizens, community organizations and non-profits  that have the interest and financial flexibility to provide humanitarian aide to those affected by the  hurricane that are in need, but as a government we just can’t, due to our budget deficit and  outstanding obligations, Senator Carrión concluded.” 

St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands – Senator Samuel Carrión’s forward-thinking legislation to  enhance and modernize the digital services of governmental agencies across the Virgin Islands was approved by Senators on Monday. 

The 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience or IDEA Act marks a significant step towards  creating a more efficient, user-friendly, and accessible digital experience for all Virgin Islanders.  Bill 35-0236 is designed to streamline government operations, reduce costs, and ensure that all  government services eventually transition to a paperless system. 

Senator Carrión emphasized that the key objectives of the IDEA Act include a comprehensive  upgrade of the Government’s digital presence and standardization of its websites. Senator Carrión  stressed the necessity of investing in the Bureau of Information Technology (BIT) to support this  transformation, projecting long-term savings and more efficient, user-friendly government  interactions. 

“By centralizing efforts currently contracted out by individual agencies, the Act aims to reduce  costs and enhance service delivery. Furthermore, the legislation ensures accessibility for all Virgin  Islanders, including those with disabilities, by setting high standards for both new and existing  websites,” Senator Carrión said. “I knew something needed to change when at one point the  Government was locked out of its own critical websites by private contractors. We must cultivate  and fund local talent to build and maintain our Government’s digital infrastructure.” 

The bill also establishes a timeline for analysing and upgrading the territory’s digital infrastructure  to maintain uninterrupted and reliable government services. 

During the bill’s initial introduction, ViNGN President and CEO Stephan Adams was among those  expressing strong support. 

“It is intelligent legislation that addresses the modernization of government for the digital age,” he  said. CEO Adams highlighted the pandemic as a demonstration of the necessity for digital services  and the government’s ability to transition. 

Senator Carrión expressed his gratitude to his colleagues and Director Ross for their unwavering  support of this crucial measure. “This bill is about making our local government more accessible  and responsive to the needs of Virgin Islanders,” Senator Carrión concluded. 

St. Croix, USVI – The community has lost faith in the V.I. Water & Power Authority’s ability to  reliably generate power and the Governor should immediately request technical assistance from  the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Senator Samuel Carrión said Wednesday. 

“This is not just a matter of throwing more money at the problem,” Senator Carrión said. “WAPA  has admitted to fuel shortages, but in just the last few weeks alone they have also blamed generators  tripping, multiple problems with underground cables, tree limbs, faulty transmission lines, downed  poles, and the list goes on. We clearly need greater expertise at WAPA to get a handle on what is  taking place.” 

Senator Carrión said he wrote his letter to the Governor with an abundant sense of concern for the  people of the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

“In recent weeks we have experienced an unprecedented number of power outages throughout the  entire territory. As a result of these repeated outages – which have been blamed on a wide variety  of issues – our people have truly suffered, businesses have been shuttered, school has been  dismissed, and our community has endured untold stress and economic loss,” Senator Carrión 

wrote to Governor Albert A. Bryan. “On April 24, 2024 you issued a State of Emergency  Declaration in order to avert an energy crisis. Sir, that energy crisis has not been averted, it is  here.” 

Senator Carrión said the territory must make full use of the Emergency Declaration and that it  afforded the Governor extraordinary powers, to include, the ability to seek federal assistance. 

“It’s not just about money, we need to ask for help,” he said. “I am imploring the Governor to  immediately request technical assistance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as to the  operation of our power plants and grid. WAPA’s problems are clearly not only financial. There  

are major issues with how power is both generated and distributed. At the very least, Army Corps  should be able to offer us some guidance.” 

Senator Carrión said he worked closely with federal agencies, including the Army Corps,  following Hurricanes Irma and Maria. 

“I am certain this agency can provide the necessary expertise to help WAPA better manage its  equipment and resources” he said. “Residents of St. John, St. Thomas and St. Croix have lost all  faith in WAPA. At this point, many justifiably fear we could go dark for an extended period. We  have lost the Authority’s Chief Executive Officer, we have entered hurricane season and our ability  to effectively generate and distribute power is clearly already tenuous. The time for action is now.” 

The Senator noted that in recent weeks students had been sent home from school as a result of  power outages. 

“Our students have already lost numerous instruction days because of the hurricanes and COVID,”  he said. “We just can’t go on like this. In no way are rotating outages remotely acceptable. We are  also experiencing extreme heat right now and people just can’t live like this, businesses are literally  closing, electronics and appliances are destroyed with each power surge. Let’s ask for help before  things get any worse.” 

St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands – Committee members and testifiers described Senator Samuel  Carrion’s legislation to streamline and modernize the Government’s digital presence as forward thinking and intelligent during Monday’s meeting of the Committee on Government Operations,  Veterans Affairs & Consumer Protection. 

Senator Carrion called the bill both practical and necessary. 

“We will have to invest in our Bureau of Information Technology, however, we will save in the  long run, while making all government interactions more efficient and user-friendly,” Senator  Carrion said. 

Bill 35-0236 creates the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act to improve websites and  digital services throughout the Virgin Islands Government. 

“We presently have each of our various agencies individually contracting out the design, hosting  and maintenance of their websites at a tremendous cost,” Senator Carrion said. “Further,  Government websites are not properly connected to each other. Meaning that to do any business  with this Government from enrolling your child in school to paying various fees, you might have  to visit multiple websites all using different platforms, some being more user friendly than others.” 

The St. Croix Senator said his bill is about making local government more accessible and  responsive to the needs of Virgin Islanders, including those with disabilities. 

“My bill addresses both new and existing websites, ensuring they are up to the standards our  citizens deserve,” Senator Carrion said. “Furthermore, it paves the way for the digitization of nearly all government services and forms, making our interactions simpler and more efficient. We  can all remember during the COVID pandemic and how we had to make that considerable  adjustment to how we do business, but there is much more work to be done.” 

ViNGN President and CEO Stephan Adams agreed that the pandemic demonstrated both the V.I.  Government’s need for digital services and its ability to make the transition. CEO Adams, and all  

those testifying Monday, were in strong favor of Senator Carrion’s proposal. He said it would  create a “common standard of accessibility, functionality and user-experience.” 

“I fully support this bill,” CEO Adams said. “It is intelligent legislation that addresses  modernization of government for the digital age.” 

During the hearing, Senator Carrion recalled a time when websites for VITEMA and the Virgin  Islands Police Department were taken down by a private party because of contractual disputes. 

“We can’t allow any private company to hold our government hostage,” Senator Carrion said. “I  envision our talented young people trained to build and maintain this Government’s digital  infrastructure. I know that BIT is more than capable of this with the right resources.” 

Bill 35-0236 also establishes a timeline for both the comprehensive analysis of the territory’s  digital presence and the implementation of new standards. All committee members present voted  in support of the legislation and it moves to the Committee on Rules & Judiciary for further  consideration. 

St. Croix USVI – Senator Samuel Carrión is pleased to announce that part-time  students will soon have access to free tuition at the University of the Virgin Islands. His legislation, Act 8814, significantly expands the Virgin Islands Higher Education  Scholarship to include part-time students, making a college education more accessible  to those that may most require assistance. 

“I have been working to extend the scholarship program for quite some time now,”  Senator Carrión said. “By enabling more students, regardless of their life  circumstances, to access financial support for their studies, this legislation ensures that  the dream of higher education is within reach for all.” 

“This is one of the things that I wanted to address on taking office,” he said. “Most part time students hold down full-time jobs and, often, are also raising families or caregivers  for senior parents. Extending free tuition for these students is the right thing to do.” 

Senator Carrión extended appreciation to the University of the Virgin Islands  and his colleagues for supporting the measure. 

“Together, we celebrate this victory for educational access and equity,” he said. “As we  look to the future, I’m excited about the opportunities that Act 8814 will help provide  for countless students.”

ST. CROIX, USVI – Senator Samuel Carrión, Chair of the Committee on Youth, Sports, Parks, and Recreation, welcomed the news that an agreement had, at last, been reached between the Government of the Virgin Islands and VIGL for the redevelopment of the Randall “Doc” James Racetrack. 

“It seems we can finally look forward to the resumption of horseracing,” Senator Carrión said. “While I haven’t read the final agreement yet, I still have some concerns about getting the horses and trainers access to the barns and the running surface. We can’t wait until this project is completed as the animals and their riders are athletes that need exercise and practice.”

Senator Carrión has participated in several meetings relative to horseracing, to include organizing three Legislative hearings.

“During our June Committee meeting, I asked VIGL representatives about including firm timelines in any agreement with the Government, as accountability is critical and we cannot afford further delays at this juncture,” Senator Carrión said. “I hope these timelines have been incorporated into the agreement signed today. While it is very regrettable that it took so long to get this project back on track, I am grateful to all those who have worked to bring horseracing back to the island of St. Croix.”