Bryan: $7M in Tax Refunds; DOJ Gun Permit Lawsuit; New STX Hospital Complex

M.A. Dworkin

St. Croix - Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has authorized the issuance of more than $7 million in income tax refunds to 2,817 Virgin Islands tax filers who are due a refund and filed their income tax returns by April 9, 2024. Government House made this announcement during the last weekly Press Briefing of 2025, held at Government House St. Croix. 

The latest refund batch follows the release of $10 million in November 2025, ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, and an additional release of $15.7 million in July 2025.

“These returns matter,” Government House Director of Communications Richard Motta stated. “They help families cover groceries, rent, school expenses and the everyday cost that do not take a holiday break.”

Mr. Motta said the Bryan-Roach Administration will continue working to process refunds as efficiently as possible and will keep the public informed as additional batches are released.

During the briefing, Mr. Motta also announced a major healthcare infrastructure milestone groundbreaking event, scheduled for Tuesday, December 16, 2025, as the Department of Health breaks ground on a new public health facility on St. Croix which will replace the former Charles Harwood Memorial Complex. The modern, resilient public health campus, which will be named in honor of Dr. Donna M. Christensen, will bring programs and services together in one location to strengthen access, improve coordination and reduce delays for residents seeking services.

Dr. Donna M. Christensen, is a former physician and the first woman to serve as the U.S. Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress. The new healthcare facility being named in her honor, recognizes her lifelong commitment to healthcare and public services. Construction of the complex will be carried out by Consigli/Benton Joint Venture, with the design led by Flad Architects. Completion is projected for 2028.

Mr. Motta was joined by Department of Agriculture Commissioner Louis Petersen, Ph.D., who announced the launch of the first phase of the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture’s (VIDA) Fruit Tree and Native Tree Distribution Program, an initiative intended to re-populate the Territory with trees for food, shade, beauty and clean air. 

Tree distribution is scheduled for St. Croix on Wednesday, Dec.17, 2025, from 

11 am to 1 pm and 4 to 6 pm at the Rudolph Shulterbrandt Agricultural Fairgrounds Complex.

The program is designed to strengthen climate change mitigation, food security and forest resiliency efforts for landowners across the USVI, in addition to receiving fruit and native tree species, participating landowners will receive technical assistance on site selection, tree enhancement, care and maintenance.

The Department said the distribution process will be followed by site monitoring by a forestry specialist, with detailed reports documenting progress and ongoing needs. Based on those reports, landowners may be eligible for additional trees during future distribution events as the program continues into the coming year.

Trees will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis after participants complete a short registration form.

“I invite landowners to participate in this important project to assist with reforesting the Territory with fruit and native tree species,” Mr. Petersen said. “As a result of this reforestation effort, I envision a greener and more fruitful Virgin Islands with healthier forests, improved environmental quality, and increased resiliency to the impacts of climate change.”

Commissioner Petersen thanked the U.S. Forest Service for funding support and recognized VIDA staff for their preparation and teamwork.

For more information, contact Mathilde A. Wilson, VI Forest Stewardship Program Coordinator at 340-244-4802.

In regards to the lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice, Government House issued the following statement: 

Government House is aware of a complaint filed on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, by the U.S. Department of Justice against the Government of the Virgin Islands, the Virgin Islands Police Department and Police Commissioner Mario Brooks in his official capacity. We take the allegations seriously, and the Virgin islands Department of Justice is reviewing the filing in coordination with the Virgin Islands Police Department. 

The Bryan-Roach Administration is committed to protecting constitutional rights while maintaining public safety, and we will address the allegations through the legal process. Because this matter is pending litigation, we will not comment further at this time.”

The lawsuit, filed in Virgin Islands District Court, alleges that the Virgin Islands Police Department caused abnormal delays in processing gun permits and required unreasonable conditions for permit approval. The suit claims Virgin Islands firearms laws were almost identical of other municipalities firearms laws that had been struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in recent years.

VI Defendants have continued to obstruct and systematically deny law abiding American citizens this fundamental right by systematically delaying the processing of applications and imposing unconstitutional conditions on the exercise of this constitutional right,” the lawsuit reads. “The conduct by the USVI, the VIPD, and defendant Brooks has rendered the constitutional right to keep and bear arms a virtual nullity within the United States Virgin Islands territory.”