Author: swiftkurrent

ST. CROIX, USVI – Senator Samuel Carrión invites all Virgin Islanders to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15.

“Hispanics and Latinos remain a vibrant part of our Virgin Islands community and culture,” said Senator Carrión. “Let us take time this month to celebrate all things Hispanic.”

This year’s Hispanic Heritage Month theme is “Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation”.

“It was a very rewarding reading President Joe Biden’s proclamation recognizing the contribution Latinos have made to our nation,” Senator Carrión said. “However, we still face some struggles even here in the Virgin Islands. As a proud Hispanic Crucian, I have made it a point to take on issues that impact the Spanish speaking community, to include revamping our Territory’s bilingual education programs.”

ACT 8555, sponsored by Senator Carrión, establishes the Bilingual and English Language Development Program in the Virgin Islands public school system to improve educational opportunities for English Learners.

“After the pandemic shut down most of our celebrations these last two years, I really look forward to Virgin Islands Puerto Rico Friendship Week this October,” he said. “I encourage everyone to come out and support the festivities.”

ST.CROIX, USVI – Virgin Islanders can look forward to fall drag racing on St. Croix, according  to the Caribbean Drag Racing Association’s testimony before the Committee on Youth, Sports,  Parks & Recreation on Tuesday. 

Committee Chairman Samuel Carrión said the opening cannot come soon enough as the  community remains in desperate need of positive activities for the Territory’s youth. 

“Engaging our young people in something that interests them is critical in keeping them focused  and on the right path,” Senator Carrion said. “It also exposes them to so many new career  opportunities.” 

Senator Carrión was one of the sponsors of Act 8449, which provided more than $675,000 for the  completion of the racetrack on St. Croix’s south shore. 

“I must thank my colleagues in the 34^th Legislature that supported this legislation, the members of  the 33^rd Legislature for getting the project off the ground, the Administration, the Caribbean Drag  Racing Association, and all those in the community that worked collectively to bring drag racing  back to the island of St. Croix,” Senator Carrión said. “This has truly been a project that almost  everyone is willing to support given its recreational, social, and economic benefits.” Caribbean Drag Racing Association Vice President Larry Jones testified that the racetrack would  be open on September 1, 2022, and that the first major race day is expected to be Labor Day  weekend. Jones said the Association is also discussing holding stereo and other car competitions  before races, building a storage unit to store racecars for off-island competitors and creating  concession stands to help generate revenue for the facility. 

Senator Carrión was much less impressed with the updates provided in terms of Virgin Islands  horseracing. 

“These projects are not moving ahead as fast as we need them to, and I will be calling all parties  back to testify before my Committee on June 27. At that time, I expect progress reports and  timelines for at least opening a portion of the tracks where horses can be trained and properly  exercised,” Senator Carrión said. “Further, I find it wholly unacceptable that no representative or  testimony whatsoever was provided by Southland Gaming given all that has transpired.” 

Southland Gaming’s lawsuit against the Virgin Islands Government is often cited as the primary  reason for the delay in repairing the Territory’s racetracks, which were severely damaged by  Hurricanes Irma and Maria. As a result of the ongoing legal dispute, Southland was granted the  opportunity to renovate the Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack on St. Thomas and VIGL has continuously stated they have the capacity to build the Randall “Doc” James Racetrack on St. Croix.  Unfortunately, horse owners on St. Thomas and St. Croix report that work on both the tracks  remains at a standstill. 

“I am very disappointed by the apparent lack of progress and the lack of participation from some  of the critical parties,” Senator Carrión said. “I expected better and the Territory’s horse owners  and horseracing enthusiasts deserve better.” Senators attending Tuesday’s hearing included: Dwayne M. DeGraff, Carla Joseph, Javan E.  James, Franklin D. Johnson Marvin A. Blyden, Kenneth L. Gittens, Novelle E. Francis, Kurt A.  Vialet, Alma Francis – Heyliger, and Steven E. Payne  

St. Croix, Virgin Islands – Senator Carrión’s bill to update and strengthen the Territory’s Bilingual  and English Language Development programs is soon to be implemented. 

Governor Albert A. Bryan signed the Bilingual and English Language Act into law on Monday. 

“I would like to thank Governor Bryan, my colleagues and all those that worked in support of this  important legislation,” Senator Carrión said. “About 10 percent of our public school students are  considered English Learners, yet we had not updated our policies in this regard since 1972. This  is one of the issues I pledged to address and I am so pleased we are moving forward.” 

Bill #34-0154, now Act 8555, amends various sections of the Virgin Islands Code – setting  minimum proficiency requirements and requiring a comprehensive plan to support English  learners. The measure also sets the foundation for the hiring of qualified ESL teachers, as well as  the training of paraprofessionals, school administrators, counselors, and other personnel. 

Senator Carrión said the bill aims to enhance the United States 1968 Bilingual Act, adopted locally  in 1972. 

“It had been almost 50 years without any substantial revisions to this statute,” Senator Carrión  said. “Just as we need new and modern school campuses, we also need to update our education  policies and requirements. It is our duty to ensure that our English learners have the tools they  need to become productive members of this community. I want every Virgin Islands student to  have the foundation necessary to succeed. This legislation represents progress for us all!” 

Educators praised Senator Carrión’s efforts to improve the Education Department’s English  learning programs and offered input to strengthen the bill. 

“I, myself, was a student that only spoke Spanish at home before entering school and I’m all too  aware of the challenges faced by students, teachers, and parents. I remain grateful that this measure  was met with such widespread support,” he said. “I look forward to checking in with the  Department of Education in the weeks ahead for a report on improvements being made to its  English Learning program.”

St. Croix, Virgin Islands – Senator Carrión’s bill to update and strengthen the Territory’s Bilingual and English Language Development programs was approved by the 34th Legislature’s Committee on Education and Workforce Development on Tuesday.

Bill #34-0154 amends various sections of the Virgin Islands Code in this regard – setting minimum proficiency requirements and requiring a comprehensive plan to support English learners. The measure also sets the foundation for the hiring of qualified ESL teachers, as well as the training of paraprofessionals, school administrators, counselors, and other personnel.

Senator Carrión said the bill aims to enhance the 1968 Bilingual Act, adopted locally in 1972.

“It has been 50 years without any substantial revisions to this statute,” Senator Carrión said. “Just as we need new and modern school campuses, we also need to update our education policies and requirements.”

Education Department officials testified that there are a significant number of students that speak Spanish, French Creole, and even Arabic, as their first language enrolled in local public schools.

“St. Croix and the entire Virgin Islands continues to be a melting pot and it is our duty to ensure that these students have the tools they need to become productive members of this community,” Senator Carrión said. “I want all of our students to be competitive and have the foundation they need to succeed. And it is important our students learn from one another given the increasingly diverse world we live in. This legislation represents progress for us all!”

Officials praised Senator Carrión’s efforts to improve the Education Department’s English learning programs and made some suggestions to strengthen the bill.

“I thank everyone for their input and support today, especially my colleagues who have joined me in prioritizing this issue. I believe we can make any amendments necessary when this legislation moves to the Rules Committee.” Senator Carrión concluded.

St. Croix, USVI – Senator Samuel Carrión’s transformative bill to aid in the collection of Hotel  Occupancy Taxes was approved by the Rules & Judiciary Committee on Thursday. 

Bill 34-0070, the Occupancy Tax Efficiency Act, originally required the Bureau of Internal  Revenue and the Department of Tourism to enter into agreements with all major accommodation  booking platforms to collect the 12.5 percent room tax and remit it directly to the Government. 

After hearing concerns from the Bureau of Internal Revenue regarding its inability to require such  organizations to enter into agreements for collection of Hotel Room Tax the bill was revised.  Amendment 34-397 was created specifically to expand the language in 33 VIC Section 54(a)(2)  by re-defining “hotelkeeper or innkeeper” to include booking agencies and deeming the activities  of such organizations as doing business in the Virgin Islands. This revision clears the path forward for IRB to make efforts to enter into agreements. 

Senator Carrión thanked his colleagues for their support, to include Finance Chairman Kurt Vialet,  who introduced the bill on his behalf. Following the hearing, Senator Carrión reiterated that this  was not a new tax, but one that has been at times challenging to collect. Hotel Occupancy Taxes  are used to support marketing efforts for the Territory, local athletic programs, and other critical  initiatives. 

Senator Carrión submitted the Occupancy Tax Efficiency Act on assuming office, noting that what  could be millions of tax dollars left on the table and the tremendous success of the Virgin Islands  Government’s 2017 agreement with Airbnb to promote the Territory and collect Hotel Occupancy  Taxes at the time a booking is made online.  

Senator Carrión’s bill also creates penalties for non-compliance. The Department of Tourism, the  Division of Economic Research, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Department of Licensing and  Consumer Affairs and the V.I. Hotel & Tourism Association all testified in favor of the measure’s  intent, noting the exponential growth of vacation rentals being booked through these websites. 

“We worked with these entities and the Office of the Governor to fine tune the bill and I believe  everyone is satisfied with what the Rules Committee approved today,” Senator Carrión said. “It is  truly a win-win for the territory”. Not only does this bill streamline collections, but it also levels  the playing field for all those offering accommodations and ensures that visitors are not misled or  surprised with additional costs on arrival.”

It is important that the Virgin Islands keep pace with global economic trends, while ensuring we  are collecting the funds necessary to sustain and uplift the tourism industry, Senator Carrion said. 

Rules & Judiciary Chairman Milton Potter, Senator-at-Large Steven Payne and Senate Vice  President Novelle Francis all voted in favor of the measure, which will be considered by the full body at an upcoming Legislative Session. 

#ProgresoParaTodos

Seed Bank program approved by full body, Occupancy Tax Efficiency Act moves to Rules

St. Croix, USVI – Senator Samuel Carrión’s transformative bill to aid in the collection of Hotel  Occupancy Taxes is moving forward for consideration by the Rules & Judiciary Committee on  December 9. 

Bill 34-0070, the Occupancy Tax Efficiency Act, mandates that the Bureau of Internal Revenue and  the Department of Tourism enter into agreements with all major accommodation booking  platforms to collect the 12.5 percent room tax and remit it directly to the Government. Finance  Committee members voted unanimously to move the bill forward to the Committee on Rules &  Judiciary on October 19th . 

“We will be making some amendments to ensure this legislation is very effective in streamlining  the process by which this Government receives taxes on vacation rentals,” Senator Carrión said.  “This is not a new tax, but one that has been challenging to collect. We count on these Occupancy  Taxes to support marketing the Territory, local athletic programs and many other critical  initiatives.” 

Senator Carrión introduced the Occupancy Tax Efficiency Act noting the large amount of money  that was apparently being “left on the table” and the tremendous success of the Virgin Islands  Government’s agreement with Airbnb. In 2017, the Mapp Administration announced a landmark  deal with Airbnb to promote the Territory and collect Hotel Occupancy Taxes at the time a booking  is made online. Senator Carrión’s bill directs the Bureau of Internal Revenue to execute similar  agreements with all the major “shared economy” platforms such as VRBO and others. The  Department of Tourism, the Division of Economic Research, the Bureau of Internal Revenue and  the V.I. Hotel & Tourism Association all testified in favor of the measure’s intent, noting the  exponential growth of vacation rentals being booked through these websites. 

“We must continue to make adjustments to the way the world does business in 2021,”  Senator Carrión said. “It is important that the Virgin Islands keep pace with global economic  trends, while ensuring we are collecting the funds necessary to sustain and uplift the tourism  industry.” 

Senator Carrión said he continues to look to the future in all the measures he brings forward, to  include, Bill 34-0047, an Act requiring the Department of Agriculture and the University of the  Virgin Islands to develop a Community Seed Banking Program. The seed bank will preserve rare,

native and heirloom seed varieties, which could be lost to the Virgin Islands given the potential impacts of climate change, development, and natural disasters. 

“This will not be a museum of seeds, but rather more like a library where farmers and scientists  can utilize these seeds for planting and study,” Senator Carrión said. “I would like to thank my  colleagues for supporting this measure, which will help preserve our agricultural and natural  heritage.” 

Senator Carrión’s bill was supported unanimously at the November 18^th Legislative Session.  Several other bills co-sponsored by the freshmen St. Croix Senator were also approved: 

• Bill 34-0040 – Nurse Licensure Compact – which allows Virgin Islands nurses to work in  other states without getting new licenses and nurses from these same states to work in the  Territory. 

• Bill 34-0069 – Mandating that the Department of Public Works maintain a master contract for architectural and engineering services in order to expedite the completion of public  projects. 

• Bill 34-0078 – Transferring property to the V.I. Port Authority for a marine transshipment  and storage facility. 

• Bill 34-0053 – Creating an Emergency Medical Services training program for the  Territory’s high schools. 

• Bill 34-0085 – Increasing the fine for unauthorized importation of snakes. 

“I have many other initiatives in the pipeline and continue to work hard on behalf of the people of  St. Croix. I would also like to take this opportunity to remind my constituents that my door is  always open and I stand ready to respond to your concerns and ideas,” Senator Carrión concluded.  

#ProgresoParaTodos

St. Croix, Virgin Islands – “Throughout the Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate our history,  culture, and also honor those Hispanic Virgin Islanders who have contributed so much to our  community,” Senator Samuel Carrión said Wednesday. 

The United States observes the National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October  15. This year’s theme is Esperanza: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage and Hope. 

“This year’s theme invites us to honor our traditions and look to a better future after a difficult  period in world history,” Senator Carrión stated. “We are resilient and there is no doubt that our  lives have changed as a result of the global pandemic. For this reason, we may not be able to  celebrate our Hispanic heritage the way we have in the past years. Nevertheless, the contributions  of Hispanic Virgin Islanders must not be overlooked. I also want to highlight that many of our first  responders, healthcare providers, and other frontline workers share Hispanic heritage, and I remain  exceptionally proud of their efforts.” 

Senator Carrión, who was born on St. Croix, expressed that his family is from both Puerto Rico  and the Dominican Republic. 

“My grandparents were among the great wave of immigrants who migrated from Vieques and  Culebra to St. Croix,” Senator Carrión said. “I am a proud Virgin Islander and proud of my  Hispanic heritage. Our cultural diversity in the Territory is a source of great strength. Throughout  the years and after several generations, we can say the Virgins Islands has a strong Hispanic  culture of its own. Consequently, I ask one and all to join in celebrating our Hispanic roots by  paying tribute to the generations of Hispanic Virgin Islanders who have influenced, developed,  and enriched our society.”  

Santa Cruz, Islas Vírgenes – “A lo largo del Mes de la Herencia Hispana, celebramos nuestra  historia, cultura y también honramos a los hispanos de las Islas Vírgenes que han contribuido  tanto a nuestra comunidad”, dijo el miércoles el senador Samuel Carrión. 

Los Estados Unidos celebra el Mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispana del 15 de septiembre al 15  de octubre. El tema de este año es Esperanza: una celebración de la herencia y la esperanza  hispanas. 

“El tema de este año nos invita a honrar nuestras tradiciones y mirar hacia un futuro mejor  después de un período difícil en la historia mundial”, dijo el senador Carrión. “Somos resistentes  y no hay duda de que nuestras vidas han cambiado como resultado de la pandemia mundial. Por  esta razón, es posible que no podamos celebrar nuestra herencia hispana como lo hemos hecho  en los últimos años. Sin embargo, las contribuciones de los hispanos de las Islas Vírgenes no  deben pasarse por alto. También quiero destacar que muchos de nuestros socorristas,  proveedores de atención médica y otros trabajadores de primera línea comparten la herencia  hispana, y sigo estando excepcionalmente orgulloso de sus esfuerzos “.  

El senador Carrión, quien nació en Santa Cruz, expresó que su familia es tanto de Puerto Rico  como de República Dominicana.  

“Mis abuelos estaban entre la gran ola de inmigrantes que emigraron de Vieques y Culebra a  Santa Cruz”, dijo el senador Carrión. “Soy un orgulloso isleño de las Islas Vírgenes y orgulloso  de mi herencia hispana, nuestra diversidad cultural en el Territorio es una fuente de gran  fortaleza. A lo largo de los años y después de varias generaciones, podemos decir que las Islas  Vírgenes tienen una fuerte cultura hispana propia. En consecuencia, les pido a todos que se unan  para celebrar nuestras raíces hispanas rindiendo homenaje a las generaciones de hispanos de las  Islas Vírgenes que han influido, desarrollado y enriquecido nuestra sociedad ”.