Governor Bryan Vetoes Gasoline Tax Revenue Shift for Hospital Utility Bills
What happened
Governor Albert Bryan Jr. vetoed a bill that proposed redirecting revenue from the territory’s 14-cent gasoline tax to help pay utility bills for hospitals in St. Croix and St. Thomas. He approved 15 other bills, which included $2.5 million for behavioral health services and $1.8 million for repairs to the St. Thomas abattoir.
Why it matters
The veto prevents a change in gasoline tax revenue allocation intended to provide utility bill credits to hospitals. Governor Albert Bryan Jr. stated that redirecting this revenue without replacement funding could weaken the V.I. Water and Power Authority’s financial position and increase pressure on utility ratepayers.
New centers in St. Thomas and St. Croix will utilize a $42 million federal grant.
Who's involved
- Albert Bryan Jr.Governor who approved and vetoed funding measures for infrastructure and healthcare.
- St. ThomasCity receiving infrastructure funding and hosting a hospital in St. Thomas.
- CroixLocation of Luis Hospital, which was subject to the vetoed utility funding measure.
- St. CroixLocation where hospital funding relief was blocked by the veto.
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
- CroixSpeculative
Might face increased utility costs for hospitals because the gasoline tax revenue redirection was blocked.
- St. CroixSpeculative
Could see higher local healthcare costs due to the veto blocking hospital funding relief.
- St. ThomasSpeculative
May face continued uncertainty regarding hospital utility funding despite specific infrastructure spending.
Keep exploring
The entities involved
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Albert Bryan Jr.
Governor of the United States Virgin Islands
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St. Thomas
city in southwestern Ontario, Canada
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Croix
commune in Nord, France
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