Gov. Bryan Calls Hearing A Total Waste of Time

M.A. Dworkin

Governor Albert Bryan Jr. issued a strong statement in response to the recent press release by Senate President Milton Potter and the Legislative hearing held on Monday concerning salaries of elected officials. 

“I urge the Legislature to utilize the resources provided to it and finally review the Commission’s findings. Seeking to eliminate the work of the Commission through legislation targeted at executive salaries undermines the thoughtful work of the Commission, politicizes the process, and contravenes the purpose of the salary study,” the Governor stated.

The 31st and 33rd Legislatures commendably initiated a comprehensive study of salaries through the Virgin Islands Public Officials Compensation Commission (VIPOCC). The Legislature wisely established the Commission to remove political influence from the salary evaluation process. Despite being in receipt of the report for months, the Legislature has failed to evaluate the findings. Rather, the Legislature has taken a reactionary and punitive stance towards its own legislative mandate, unnecessarily creating a political spectacle. To date, the Legislature has not conducted a public review of the contents of the Commission’s report. 

Governor Bryan called the hearing “a total waste of the community’s time and an unnecessary distraction.” He went on to criticize it as a political maneuver rather than a genuine attempt at legislative oversight. 

“It’s very disappointing to see members of the Legislature capitalizing on public sentiment for political gain,” Governor Bryan said. “Tell the people the truth - you excluded the Governor from the process and then failed to execute the procedure created by your own branch.”

The Governor also noted that the legislature cannot reduce the Governor’s salary during his term. Any attempt to do so could very well disrupt the balance of power. The fact of the matter is, a Legislature that doesn’t agree with any of the Governor’s policies could very well hold salary reduction over him as political retribution.

“Our fundamental premise exists to preserve the independence of the executive branch and prevent the Legislature from leveraging salary adjustments as a form of political pressure,” Governor Bryan explained the reasoning behind the Commission.

No representative of the executive branch attended the Monday hearing. 

“We declined to participate in a proceeding designed to mislead the public and politicize an issue already governed by statute,” Governor Bryan noted. “I did not ask for a raise, did not craft the legislation, and was not the approving authority for the Commission’s recommendations. That was the Legislature, including many of the Senators now objecting to the results. I also did not fail to act on the Compensation Commission’s report, which was properly submitted to the Legislature in August 2024.”

“Let’s be clear - I cannot rescind laws. For the Legislature or the Lt. Governor to suggest otherwise and lay this issue at my feet is insincere and unjust,” the Governor continued. “I may not always agree with every law, but I am duty bound to implement them.”

Governor Bryan also stated that if the 36th Legislature truly wishes to engage in a conversation about compensation and retirement reform for elected officials, he is open to that discussion.

“Any such review must also examine the statutory benefits that allow Senators to earn additional income while serving, collect multiple government annuities, and receive an annuity while drawing a government paycheck - a privilege denied to most government employees, including the Governor,” he pointed out. “By law, the Governor cannot hold another position or receive a government annuity while in office.”

Governor Bryan urged the Legislature to focus on real issues.“We must turn our attention to policies and initiatives that improve the lives of Virgin Islanders, not waste time on political grandstanding over matters already settled by law”

The Governor concluded his remarks by reminding the Legislature of the Commission’s purpose. “When the Compensation Commission process was established, it was applauded for removing politics from pay decisions. If an independent body cannot be trusted to do that, then what’s the alternative?”