>> THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF DQ --WTJX, SPORT OR ITS STAFF.

>> A LONG-HELD DREAM FOR BORDERS AND SKATERS IS FINALLY TAKING SHAPE.

A BRAND-NEW SKATE AND BIKE PARK UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT ST. THOMAS.

>> AND THE ONLY NAMED DEFENDANT STILL FACING CLAIMS IN A LAWSUIT.

A GROUP OF ATTORNEY SAYS THAT CLAIMS ARE NOT ONLY UNFOUNDED THAT THEY ARE IN SOME CASES PRACTICALLY IMPOSSIBLE AND WE WILL EXPLAIN.

>> GOVERNOR ALBERT BRIAN JUNIOR IS PROPOSING A TAX ON AIRBNB SALES .

IT WOULD PROTECT THE HOPEFUL AND A LOCAL HOTEL STAYS .

>> PROPOSED 80 UNIT HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ON ST. THOMAS WITH DEVELOPMENT FROM THE PUBLIC .

>> IT PUTS MORE WEIGHT ON OUR ROADS AND MUST CONTRIBUTE MORE TO MAINTAIN THE ROADS .

>> AND CHARGING HEAVIER VEHICLES MORE IN TAXES.

USING A TIERED FEE .

LATER WE ANALYZE THESE STORIES AND MORE.

COMES WITH THE TERRITORY STARTS RIGHT NOW.

>> WELCOME TO COMES WITH THE TERRITORY .

A STATE AND BIKE PARK, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN17:02:56 THE TERRITORY.

WORK IS UNDERWAY ON THE 15,00017:02:58 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY WHICH17:02:59 BROKE GROUND IN JANUARY.

WITH STAIR STEPS AND LEGENDS FOR SKATERS AND BIKERS OF ALL SKILL LEVELS.

AT THE PARK WHICH UNVEILED A NEW PLAYGROUND AND SEATING AREA IN MARCH .

OFFICIALS SAY THE GOAL IS TO TRANSFORM THE PARK INTO A VIBRANT MULTIUSE SPACE17:03:24 FOR CHILDREN, TEENS, AND17:03:25 FAMILIES.

17:03:26 THE BASEBALL FIELD, BASKETBALL17:03:27 COURT AND OPEN GRASSY AREA WILL17:03:28 ALL REMAIN ACCESSIBLE TO THE SKATE AND BIKE PARK WITH COMPLETION IN MAY FUNDED THROUGH A MIX OF CASH DONATIONS, VOLUNTEER LABOR AND IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PLACES LIKE HEAVY MATERIALS AND THE HOBBLING GROUP AND OTHERS.

IT HAS RAISED ABOUT $1 MILLION.

THE BORDER STATES IT WILL GIVE YOUNG PEOPLE A SAFE17:03:52 AND17:03:53 DEDICATED SPACE TO PRACTICE AND COMMUNITY , SOMETHING THEY BLACK FOR DECADES.

ENJOY ME ME NOW TO DISCUSS HOW THE PROJECT CAME TOGETHER AND WHAT IT WILL BE ONCE COMPLETED .

WELCOME MR. ISRAEL .

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME17:04:15 .

>> BRIEFLY WALK US THROUGH WHO IS INVOLVED AND HOW THIS EVER CAME TO FRUITION .

>> IT IS A PUBLIC AND PARTNER ON RN.

ALSO SKATE THOMAS AND VIRGIN ISLANDS SKATE BOARDING JOINED TOGETHER WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS AND RECREATION TO BRING THIS TO LIFE.

>> SO WHEN IT´S FINISHED WITH THE SKATE AND BIKE PARK INCLUDED, WHO IS BUILDING IT AND HOW IS IT DESIGNED ?

>> THIS IS A GOOD-SIZED PARK .

THE ENTIRE PROJECT INCLUDES A PLAYGROUND , AS YOU MENTIONED A SHADE STRUCTURE WHICH IS NOW COMPLETE .

AND THE PARK ITSELF HAS STREET TRANSITION TYPE FEATURES FOR ALL DIFFERENT SKILL LEVELS AND EQUIPMENT .

17:05:20 BIKES, SCOOTERS, SKATEBOARDS,17:05:21 WHEELCHAIRS, ANYTHING LIKE17:05:22 THAT.

IT IS GREAT VARIETY .

IT´S NOT THE BIGGEST SKATE PARK BUT IT´S NOT TINY EITHER .

WE WANT TO HAVE SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE FOR EVERYBODY THAT WANTED TO USE IT .

ALL OF THE RIGHT17:05:38 EQUIPMENT WITH THE DIFFERENT SKILL LEVELS.

>> IT IS A LOCAL SKILL SKATEBOARDING GROUP THAT HAVE BEEN TEACHING LOCAL RESIDENTS.

THEY HAVE HAD LOCAL OUTREACH EVENTS .

TELL ME, HOW DO EFFORTS LIKE THAT FIT INTO THE BIGGER PICTURE OF BUILDING SUPPORT FOR THE NEW SKATE AND BIKE PART -- PARK .

>> THERE IS A HISTORY OF SKATEBOARDING AND ROLLERSKATING IN THE ISLANDS.

SINCE THE 70s WE HAVE PHOTOS AND STORIES FROM EVERY DECADE .

A LOT OF PEOPLE MAY NOT HAVE SEEN THAT BECAUSE IT IS COMBINED AND THE FIRE HAS BEEN LIT AND STAYS LIT BUT IT IS NOW BANANA BANANA HAS A PLACE TO17:06:38 SPREAD OUT WITH OUR RAMPS AND TEACHING AND THAT HAS SUPPORTED THE SKATE AND BIKE PARK ITSELF FOR THE PEOPLE COMING OUT AND IT DOESN´T HAVE TO BE SHARED WITH THE RAMPS MOVED ON AND OFF THE BASKETBALL COURT AND PEOPLE USING THE COURT FOR DIFFERENT17:07:03 THINGS.

IT HAS PUSHED TO GIVE US A SPACE THAT IS NOT SHARED .

>> NOW, THE IDEA FOR THE LOCAL SKATE PARK , AS YOU HAVE SAID, THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

WHAT LED TO THE BALLPARK BEING CHOSEN AS A LOCATION .

>> THAT WAS THE DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS AND RECREATION.

THAT WAS SKATE THOMAS AND THE VOICE HAS BEEN GETTING LOUDER FOR BIKE AND SKATE PARK.

THEY BROUGHT THAT TO THE TABLE .

THERE HAVE BEEN DAMAGE FROM THE HURRICANES IN 2017 AND THEY WERE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO REVITALIZE THE PARK.

THEY CAME TO OUR ORGANIZATION AND SUGGESTED THAT AS A POTENTIAL SPOT FOR THE SKATES AND BIKE PARK .

>> BEFORE WE CONTINUE , THERE WAS A QUESTION RAISED ABOUT GENTRIFICATION AND WHETHER LONG- TERM RESIDENTS FELT LEFT OUT OF THE PLANNING PROCESS .

THIS IS A PORTION OF WHAT WAS SAID .

>> IT´S AN AREA THAT17:08:13 APPARENTLY IS GENTRIFYING RATHER FAST .

AND, THE CONSTITUENCY THAT WAS IN THERE PREVIOUSLY, OR IS STILL IN THERE, FEELS, TO SOME EXTENT THAT THEY WERE KIND OF LEFT OUT OF THE PROCESS .

WE UNDERSTAND THERE WERE TOWN HALL MEETINGS THAT TOOK PLACE THAT WERE NOT WELL ATTENDED .

AND, CONSIDERING SOME OF THE GENTRIFICATION THAT GOES ON HERE ON THE ISLANDS , IT MIGHT BE A SUGGESTION ON OUR PART THAT WE TAKE A LITTLE MORE TIME AND EFFORT IN LETTING THE COMMUNITY THAT EXISTED AND EXISTS IN THESE AREAS AND MORE ON THE LOOP.

>> IN RESPONDING TO THE REPORTER´S CONCERNS, THE GOVERNOR ACKNOWLEDGED THE BROADER ISSUE AND HE THOUGHT THE REPORTER´S CONCERNS WERE VALID AND HE WOULD WORK WITH THE GOVERNOR TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS.

HEARING THAT , HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO CONCERNS LIKE THAT ?

YOU KNOW, WERE AREA RESIDENTS17:09:24 INCLUDED IN THE PLANNING17:09:25 PROCESS?

>> YEAH .

WE DID CANVASSING AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD LOCALLY INVITING PEOPLE TO THE TOWN17:09:32 HALLS.

OUR ORGANIZATION PUT IT OUT THERE TO THE PUBLIC TO ATTEND THE TOWN HALLS.

WE HAVE GOTTEN A LOT OF SUPPORT, ACTUALLY WITH ON-SITE BUILDING WITH THE SKATE AND BIKE PARK .

EVERYONE WHO HAS COME THROUGH IS SO EXCITED TO HAVE A USE ORIENTED RECREATION17:09:53 FACILITY.

THEY HAVE ALL BEEN VERY HAPPY TO HAVE SOMETHING BUILT RIGHT IN THEIR BACKYARD .

IT CAN BENEFIT THE YOUTH AND BRING PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE ISLAND TOGETHER .

>> YEAH, WHY DOES THE NEW SKATE AND BIKE PARK MATTER TO THE COMMUNITY?

THINK ABOUT WHY IT MATTERS AND WHAT DO YOU HOPE THE DIFFERENCES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY ?

>> SO SKATE AND BIKE PARKS BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE.

CONCRETE AND THAT LEVELS THE PLAYING FIELD .

THERE ARE NO COLORS OR ECONOMICS TO IT.

IT´S A FREE PUBLIC PARK AND ANYONE CAN COME TO IT .

WHAT THAT CREATES IS AN ATMOSPHERE WHERE PEOPLE COME TOGETHER AND IN SKATEBOARDING IN PARTICULAR, IT IS A POSITIVE, POSITIVE17:10:44 ATMOSPHERE.

EVERYONE IS EXCITED TO LAND NEW TRICKS OR TRY SOMETHING NEW OR SEE SOMEONE ELSE DO THAT.

SO, BEING PART OF A SHARED EXPERIENCE WHERE PEOPLE ARE LEARNING NEW THINGS AND TRYING NEW THINGS AND OVERCOMING OBSTACLES REALLY BUILDS THE COMMUNITY FOR A LOT OF17:11:04 DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

17:11:05 ESPECIALLY WITH THE PLAYGROUND IN THE SKATE AND BIKE PARK .

THERE ARE PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO HANG OUT AWAY FROM THE SUN.

THERE IS FIELD LEFT OVER FOR SOCCER AND YIELD SPORTS .

WE ARE EXCITED TO HAVE THE SKATE AND BIKE PARK TO BE PART OF A MULTIUSE FACILITY TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER IN A POSITIVE17:11:24 WAY.

>> THE SKATE AND BIKE PARK IS SET TO OPEN IN MAY ?

CORRECT?

ARE YOU STILL ON TRACK ?

>> WE ARE ON TRACK ?

>> WHAT IS A WAY FOR PEOPLE TO GET INVOLVED AND SHOW THEIR SUPPORT ?

>> COME AND CHECK OUT THE17:11:40 PLAYGROUND.

THE PLAYGROUND IS READY .

BRING YOUR CHILDREN AND CHECK OUT WHAT WE HAVE GOING ON.

AND , TUESDAY NIGHT, IF THEY WANT TO START GETTING LESSONS OR START TO HANG WITH THE CREW AND LEARN TO SKATE OR SCOOTER OR WHATNOT AND JUST TO SEE WHAT WE´VE GOING ON.

ON TUESDAY NIGHT IS A RETREAT AT THE POLICE STATION OVER BY HOMETOWN .

WE ARE OUT THERE EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT.

WE ARE BARBECUING.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND KIDS COME DOWN AND PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE ISLAND SHOW UP WHERE WE HAVE THAT COMMUNITY WHERE WE CAN RIDE.

COME AND JOIN US AND CHECK OUT THE NEW FACILITY .

>> AIM I MAY COME AND POSSIBLY LEARN TO SKATEBOARD, BUT I CAN´T PROMISE YOU THAT .

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE OR ADD THAT WE POSSIBLY HAVE NOT TOUCHED ON .

>> YEAH, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE COMMUNITY AND TO THE GOVERNMENT THAT HAS BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE.

TO ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN INVOLVED BEFORE MYSELF.

YEARS AND YEARS, LIKE YOU SAID .

DECADES, THIS HAS BEEN ON THE RADAR AS PEOPLE TRY TO FIND A PLACE TO HAVE RECREATION AND BUILD REAL SPORT WHICH IS HARD TO DO HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY, THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR HELPING TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN17:13:03 .

17:13:04 >> WE WILL SEE YOU AT THE SKATE AND BIKE PARK IN MAY .

>> I WILL SEE YOU THERE .

>> FIRST, LET´S TAKE A LOOK AT THE ISSUES UP FOR DISCUSSION .

>> JEFFREY EPSTEIN WAS A RESIDENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS .

HE WANTED TO MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

HE ASKED FOR CONTRIBUTIONS AND MADE CONTRIBUTIONS TO MY17:13:27 CAMPAIGN.

17:13:28 I DO BELIEVE HE WAS A REPREHENSIBLE PERSON AND AFTER FINDING OUT WHAT HE HAD DONE ,17:13:33 I17:13:34 GAVE THE MONEY HE HAD CONTRIBUTED TO MY CAMPAIGN TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS .

>> THAT IS WHAT A DELEGATE TO CONGRESS SAID AFTER QUESTIONS ABOUT JEFFREY EPSTEIN AND 2023.

HE IS THE ONLY NAME DEFENDANT IN A FEDERAL LAWSUIT BROUGHT BY SIX OF EPSTEIN´S VICTIMS WHICH ACCUSED SEVERAL HIGH RANKING VIRGIN ISLANDS OFFICIALS FOR MAKING IT A SAFE HAVEN FOR EPSTEIN´S SEX TRAFFICKING OPERATION .

AND THE FORMER FIRST LADY AND THE FORMER17:14:11 GOVERNORS AND FORMER SENATORS AND THE FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL VINCENT FRAZIER ALONG WITH OVER 100 AND NAMED IT JOHN DOES .

THE COURT RECENTLY DISMISSED THE CASE AGAINST OTHER DEFENDANTS BUT THE COURT FOUND IT DOES HAVE JURISDICTION OVER THE17:14:33 INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY AND ALLOW THE CASE AGAINST HER TO PROCEED.

SHE IS ACCUSED OF TRAVELING TO NEW YORK TO RECEIVE DONATIONS FROM EPSTEIN AND OBTAINING A $30,000 LOAN AND USING POLITICAL INFLUENCE TO HELP EPSTEIN´S COMPANIES TO SECURE TAX BREAKS.

IN HIS MARKS 21st OPINION , THE JUDGE NOTED THE FACTS HAVE NOT BEEN PROVEN AND THAT AT THIS STAGE THE PLAINTIFF´S ONLY PLAUSIBLE MEANS TO PRESENT A CASE TO MOVE FORWARD.

RECEIVING SUPPORT FROM 17 LOCAL ATTORNEYS .

IN A LOCAL17:15:10 LETTER DATED MARCH 23rd, SHE WROTE THAT THE ALLEGATIONS MADE WERE ONLY ALLEGATIONS WHICH IT ONLY PROVE NOT TO BE BASED ON FACTS .

INDEED, IN MULTIPLE INSTANCES, THESE ALLEGATIONS ARE FACTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE .

WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT ONCE IT COMES TIME FOR THE COURT TO REVIEW THE EVIDENCE OPPOSED TO ALLEGATIONS THERE WILL BE FINDINGS THAT THE CASE SHOULD BE DISMISSED.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO CONSIDER THE REASON FOR THE AIRBNB TOX SCREEN AT 20% .

>> SPEAKING AT THE CONFERENCE, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE VIRGIN ISLAND SHOULD CONSIDER RAISING THE TAX RATE ON AIRBNB RENTALS TO ENCOURAGE TOURISTS TO STAY IN HOTELS WHICH CONTRIBUTE MORE TO THE ECONOMY AND TO FREE UP HOUSING FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS17:16:04 .

17:16:05 >> WE NEED PEOPLE BACK IN THE HOTEL´S NUMBER ONE AND NUMBER TWO , DISCOURAGING THE AIRBNB WILL FREE UP MORE WORKFORCE17:16:12 HOUSING.

>> WITH17:16:15 REVENUE-GENERATING AGENCIES AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO ASSESS THE TERRITORY´S17:16:21 FINANCIAL OUTLOOK.

DURING THE DISCUSSION, THE GOVERNOR WARNED ABOUT THE IMPACT OF ONLINE SHOPPING AT THE LOCAL RETAIL SECTOR .

>> RETAIL TRADE IS DYING IN OUR TERRITORY BECAUSE OF THE INTERNET WHICH IS WHY WE NEED TO CONSIDER .

BECAUSE WE NO LONGER GET THE BENEFIT OF ALL OF THE PURCHASES .

>> WITH THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE PEST --PRESS BRIEFING ON NOVEMBER 24th.

>> I´M CALLING ON THE LEGISLATURE TO JOIN ME IN PRACTICAL REFORMS STARTING WITH A MODEST TAX AND I´M ALSO PROPOSING A TAX ON SHORT-TERM RENTALS AND AIRBNB STYLE PROPERTIES .

TO ADDRESS17:17:11 THE CRISIS IMPACTING FAMILIES, THE SHORTAGE OF AFFORDABLE LONG- TERM RENTAL HOUSING.

THIS IS NOT17:17:21 JUST ABOUT17:17:22 POLITICS, IT´S ABOUT PRIORITIES AND ABOUT VISION .

>> MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE TUNED IN TO A VIRTUAL PUBLIC HEARING RECENTLY TO LEARN ABOUT THE RESIDENCES AT THE PROPOSED 80 HOUSING UNIT IN ST. 17:17:36 JOSEPH OVERLOOKING THE BAY .

>> IT IS INTENDED TO SERVE17:17:43 OUR NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING .

IT STARTED BECAUSE --I KNOW PERSONALLY HAVE THE HOUSING SHORTAGE AND I GREW UP AND DIDN´T HAVE A HOUSE GROWING UP .

I´M GOING TO USE THE EFFORT, EXPERIENCE AND RESOURCES TO HELP MY COMMUNITY.

>> THE PROJECT DEVELOPER SAID 340 NORTH WILL INCLUDE EIGHT SMALLER TOWNHOUSES AND 36 MIDSIZE TOWNHOUSES AND SINGLE- FAMILY HOMES DESIGNED FOR RESIDENTIAL EARNING 80% TO 120% OF THE MEDIAN INCOME TO MAKE HOUSING MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR VERSION ISLANDERS.

THE HOMES WILL USE CONCRETE WHICH IS ENERGY-EFFICIENT AND RESILIENT TO HURRICANES.

THERE WOULD BE PARKING FOR TWO VEHICLES WITH ADDITIONAL PARKING THROUGHOUT THE PROPERTY WHICH WILL INCLUDE OPEN TRAILS AND AREAS FOR GATHERING.

DURING THE VIRTUAL PUBLIC HEARING RESIDENTS BROUGHT UP AFFORDABILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT INELIGIBILITY FOR HOMEBUYERS.

THEY ASKED FOR MORE TRANSPARENCY ABOUT HOW THE PROJECT IS BEING FUNDED.

DEED RESTRICTIONS AND HOMEOWNER RESTRICTION RULES COULD HELP DISCOURAGE INVESTOR BUYERS.

HE IS WORKING CLOSELY WITH LOCAL AGENCIES FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAMS AND TO PROTECT LONG-TERM OWNERSHIP .

THE PROJECT IS PRIVATELY FUNDED AT THIS TIME .

>> IT IS BEEN THROUGH17:19:22 THE17:19:23 DEVELOPMENT ASSETS AND WE´VE BEEN SOLICITING ASSETS FROM OTHER STATES ARE TO SUPPORT US.

AND WE HAVE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND NONPROFIT COMPANIES HELP US WITH OUR PROJECT .

>> WITH THE PUBLIC HEARING BEHIND HIM AND PUBLIC COMMENTS ENDING MARCH 31st, HE SAID THE PROJECT WILL NOW MOVE TO THE17:19:45 LEGISLATURE .

>> THE NEXT STEP IS THE RECOMMENDATION WE SEND TO THE SENATE .

IT WILL BENEFIT OUR COMPANY AND DEVELOPMENT AND THEN AFTER THAT, WE WILL REVIEW THE PLANS FOR17:19:58 CONSISTENCY IN POLICY AND CONFORMITY AND THEN WE HAVE BUILDING PERMITS .

HOPEFULLY WE WILL BREAK GROUND LATE SUMMER .

>> THIS BILL ENSURES THOSE VEHICLES WHO PUTS MORE WEIGHT ON OUR ROADS MUST CONTRIBUTE MORE TO MAINTAIN OUR ROADS.

>> AT A MARCH 18 HEARING THAT THE SENATE COMMITTEE HEARING ON BUDGET AND FINANCE, THEY ARE URGED BILL 36-0023 TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR ROAD MAINTENANCE BY RAISING THE ONE-TIME HIGHWAY USER TAX COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE ROAD TAX BASED ON VEHICLE WEIGHT .

IT WOULD KEEP THE17:20:40 CURRENT $.

16 PER POUND RATE FOR VEHICLES UNDER 6000 POUNDS AND GRADUALLY RAISE THE RATE FOR HEAVIER VEHICLES GRADUALLY INCREASING BY TWO CENTS PER POUND UP TO A MAXIMUM $.

30 PER POUND FOR THE HEAVIEST CLASSED.

THE REVENUE DIRECTOR RAISE CONCERNS ABOUT THE COSTS OF IMPLEMENTING THE PROPOSED17:21:01 STRUCTURE .

>> IF THE INTENT IS TO PLACE A HIGHER TAX ON VEHICLES, THE BUREAU WOULD RECOMMEND A SIMPLIFIED INCREASE SUCH AS A FLAT INCREASE TO THE CURRENT $.

16 RATE.

THE BASIS IS ON THE COST OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AN A CLASS PRICE RANGE THAT FAR EXCEEDS THE ANTICIPATED COLLECTION COSTS.

>> RECOMMENDING COLLAPSING17:21:29 THE17:21:30 EIGHT TIERS INTO THREE TO17:21:31 LESSEN ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN AND TO MAKE THE ANNUAL TAX AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION INSTEAD OF A ONE-TIME FEE .

>> IT SHOULD BE THOSE OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF17:21:48 THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

TAXIS SHOULD NOT BE EXEMPT AS THEY USE THE ROADWAYS JUST AS MUCH IF NOT MORE THAN PRIVATE17:21:53 VEHICLES.

>> WITH RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE TABLE , THEY DECIDED TO HOLD FOR REVIEW FOLLOWING THE PRESS RELEASE CLARIFYING THAT LEGISLATION DOES NOT IMPOSE AN17:22:04 ANNUAL TASK.

HE EXPLAIN THE CHANGES WOULD APPLY ONLY TO NEW VEHICLES BROUGHT INTO THE TERRITORY AND17:22:14 THAT MOST VERSION ISLANDERS,17:22:15 PARTICULARLY THOSE WITH17:22:16 STANDARD SIZE VEHICLE WITH SEE NO CHANGE IN FEES.

>> JONI ME ON SITE IS TERRENCE THOMAS, COHOST OF IDEAS AND ISSUES ON 1340 A. M. WELCOME .

>> THANK YOU MARCELLINA .

>> AND WE HAVE ATTORNEY WALKER FROM THE WALKER LEGAL GROUP AND VIRGINIA RUSSELL HOST OF THE LOCAL RADIO SHOW .

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE .

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US .

>> BEFORE WE EXPLORE TODAY´S TOPICS, I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS MR. THOMAS ON THE SKATE AND BIKE PARK .

WHAT ARE CONCERNS FROM RESIDENTS WHO FELT MAYBE A LITTLE LEFT OUT WITH THE PROCESS AND MAYBE WORRIED ABOUT POSSIBLE GENTRIFICATION .

>> LISTEN TO THE DISCUSSION ,17:23:11 IS GOING INTO A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT IS TRADITIONALLY A VERY LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD ON THE EASTERN END .

THE CONCERN ABOUT GENTRIFICATION IS REAL AS YOU LOOK THROUGH THE ST. THOMAS AREAS.

THAT ONCE WERE CONSIDERED17:23:29 AREAS WHERE A LOT OF LOCAL PEOPLE LIVED AND FOR VARIOUS REASONS, NOW , THE NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE BEEN TAKEN OVER AND REDEVELOPED BY PEOPLE WHO ARE COMING , QUOTE/UNQUOTE FROM THE OUTSIDE.

I QUESTION ON MY WAY HERE.

I READ ABOUT SOMEONE MOVING HERE WITH HIS FAMILY AND LOOKING TO BUY PROPERTY AND SO IT IS A LEGITIMATE CONCERN .

I THINK THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE WORKING ON THIS PROJECT , YOU KNOW, THEY ARE DOING SO BECAUSE THEY HAVE AN AFFINITY FOR SCAPE BOARDING AND BICYCLING AND SOME OF THE OTHER ACTIVITIES .

IF IT IS A WAY FOR OUR PUBLIC PARKS TO GET THE ABILITY , THEN, IT´S AN OPPORTUNITY THAT WE CANNOT SHY AWAY FROM .

>> YES, I GET THAT AND I THINK MY TAKE ON IT IS WHEN IT COMES TO SOMETHING LIKE THIS WITH A SKATE AND BIKE PARK THAT WILL BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY, I DON´T LOOK AT ADAGES GENTRIFICATION IN A SENSE.

IT IS OUR DUTY TO TAKE UP SPACE IN A PLACE WE CALL HOME AND WHEN PEOPLE MOVE HERE , WE WANT THEM TO INTEGRATE THEMSELVES IN THE COMMUNITY IN POSITIVE WAYS.

I LOOK AT IT AS A POSITIVE WAY FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS TO GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW AND POSSIBLY GROW IN THAT17:24:55 AREA, WOULDN´T YOU AGREE?

>> I AGREE .

BACK IN THE 70s , THERE WAS A GROUP OF SKATERS AND I WAS ONE OF THEM, BELIEVE IT OR NOT .

>> YEAH .

>> IT WAS AN ACTIVE SPOT FOR SKATING AND WE HAD A SKATING RINK ON WHEELS AT THE WESTERN END AT ST. THOMAS .

>> I WANT US TO STAY WITH YOU AND SHIFT OUR FOCUS .

AS A DEFENDANT, TELL ME WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THE ALLEGATIONS THAT THE DELEGATE ACCEPTED A $30,000 LOAN AND CONTRIBUTIONS FROM JEFFREY EPSTEIN WHO HAD ALREADY BEEN CONVICTED OF PROCURING A MINOR FOR PROSTITUTE TO SHONEN SOLICITING17:25:46 PROSTITUTION .

17:25:47 >> IT´S A COMPLICATED LEGAL17:25:48 MATTER AND I AM NOT AN17:25:49 ATTORNEY.

17:25:50 WHAT I FIND INTERESTING IS THAT EVERYBODY IN THIS CASE HAS BEEN SUMMARILY DISMISSED AND SHE IS THE ONLY PERSON.

I LISTENED AND READ WHAT THE JUDGE WHO IS HANDLING THE CASE SAID IT IS UP TO THE PLAINTIFF´S PROSECUTION TO PROVE THEIR CASE BASED ON CERTAIN MERITS .

I GUESS HE SAW ENOUGH THERE TO MOVE FORWARD17:26:12 .

17:26:13 INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, THE DELEGATE HAS PEOPLE COME TO BACK HER IN HER COURT WITH SEVERAL LOCAL ATTORNEYS SENDING IT TO THE COURT I GUESS AS A FRIEND OF THE COURT OR FRIEND OF THE DEFENDANT .

17:26:28 >> YEAH .

>> ITS COMPLICATED MATTER AND THERE IS DIFFERENT WAYS OF LOOKING AT IT.

RIGHT NOW FOR ME, IT WOULD BE OFF FOR ME TO SAY WHAT I THINK IT MIGHT BE.

>> FOR LEGAL MINE ON THE PANEL, ATTORNEY WALKER , WE NOTED THAT YOUR NAME WAS ON THE LETTER FROM THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ATTORNEYS.

WERE YOU OPPOSED TO ADDING YOUR NAME TO THE LETTER ?

>> I WAS NOT OPPOSED .

>> I WANT TO ASK YOU17:27:00 , WHAT IS THE POINT OF A LETTER SUCH AS17:27:02 THIS?

WHAT IS THE NEED FOR 17 MEMBERS TO POINT OUT THESE ALLEGATIONS?

ISN´T THAT UNDERSTOOD BASED ON THE JUDGE´S OPINION AND COULD THIS BE POSSIBLY POLITICALLY MOTIVATED?

>> POSSIBLY .

IT´S17:27:19 NOT ENTIRELY CLEAR TO ME WHY THE LETTER WAS ISSUED .

IT WOULD HAVE NO LEGAL SIGNIFICANCE WITH REGARDS TO THE CASE AND NOT SOMETHING A JUDGE WOULD CONSIDER .

BUT, I ASSUME THEY MAYBE WANTED TO EXPLAIN TO THE PUBLIC THAT THE FACT THAT SHE REMAINED A DEFENDANT DOESN´T NECESSARILY MEAN THE ALLEGATIONS HAVE ANY MERIT .

IT IS SIMPLY A JURISDICTIONAL ARGUMENT AND UNFORTUNATELY, FOR HER, SHE HAD SUFFICIENT CONTACT WITH NEW YORK .

AND THE CONTACTS WERE SOMEHOW ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGATIONS BECAUSE THEY WERE JUST ALLEGATIONS MADE AGAINST HER AND THE COURT SAID THERE17:28:00 COULD BE EXTRADITION AND MAYBE THE INTENT WAS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT WHAT THAT OPINION17:28:07 MEANT.

THAT IS MY ASSUMPTION .

I HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE LETTER UNTIL I SAW IT ALONG WITH EVERYBODY ELSE .

>> IN THE LETTER, IT TALKS ABOUT PEOPLE WITH LEGAL EXPERIENCE AND WE WILL LEAN ON YOUR LEGAL EXPERTISE.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT WITH HER BEING THE ONLY DEFENDANT .

AND WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE OTHER DEFENDANT TO´S CASES WERE DISMISSED ?

CAN THE PLAINTIFF BRING THOSE CLAIMS IN ANOTHER JURISDICTION ?

>> THEY COULD SEEK TO BRING THOSE CLAIMS IN ANOTHER17:28:43 JURISDICTION.

I WOULD EXPECT A STATUTE OF LIMITATION RESTRICTION.

AS FOR THE DELEGATE , SHE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEFEND AGAINST THE MERITS OF THE CASE .

YOU KNOW, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS THESE ARE JUST ALLEGATIONS .

EVEN WITHIN THE OPINION ITSELF , YOU CAN SEE WHERE THE PLAINTIFF --YOU KNOW, DISMISSED SOME OF THE CLAIMS THEY COULD NOT SUPPORT .

VOLUNTARILY, YOU CAN SEE IN THE DISCUSSION REGARDING THE FORMER FIRST LATER THAT --LADY THAT THERE WAS AN ACTUAL RELEASE THAT PREVENTED THEM FROM SUING HER AND THEY DID NOT ATTACH THAT TO THE COMPLAINT .

SO, THERE SEEMS TO BE SUFFICIENT ROOM THERE FOR THE DELEGATE TO ADEQUATELY DEFEND HERSELF AGAINST ALLEGATIONS .

ALL THIS MEANS THAT SHE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO AND SHE WILL BE DOING SO IN NEW YORK .

>> NOW LET´S GO TO GOVERNOR BRIAN´S 2020 CALLS FOR HIGHER AIR B&B TAXES .

A HIGHER INTERNET SALES TAX AND AN INCREASE IN FIELDS --FEES FOR CERTAIN ACTIVITIES.

IN SECTORS WHERE BUSINESSES BOOMING SUCH AS CONSTRUCTION SAYING OTHER PARTS OF THE ECONOMY WOULD BENEFIT AS A17:30:07 RESULT.

THAT DREW PUSHBACK FROM17:30:10 SENATOR HUBERT FREDERICK WHO SAID THE MAJORITY OF BUSINESSES ARE17:30:15 STILL STRUGGLING.

THE GOVERNOR DISAGREED AND SAID THE BUSINESSES ARE NOT STRUGGLING AND JUST DO NOT LIKE PAYING THE GOVERNMENT .

AND HE WAS TALKING SPECIFICALLY ABOUT SMALL BUSINESSES WHICH CONTINUE TO FEEL THE PINCH.

>> INCREASED LICENSING FEES FOR17:30:34 THEIR BUSINESSES TRENDING UPWARDS LIKE CONSTRUCTION17:30:37 -- BECAUSE RETAIL WILL FOLLOW .

BECAUSE ONCE WE START DOING ALL THESE JOBS, THEN17:30:45 THE PEOPLE HAVE GOT TO EAT AND THEY´VE GOT TO DRINK .

SO WE NEED TO RAISE THE FEES NOW FOR CONSTRUCTION LICENSES .

>> I UNDERSTAND SOME PEOPLE ARE DOING WELL AND GOD BLESS YOU .

I CAN SPEAK AS A BANKER HERE FOR MANY YEARS, MY TEAM WAS DEALING WITH SMALL BUSINESSES AND BIG BUSINESSES DID NOT COME TO US17:31:08 .

SO, THAT IS WHO I ADVOCATE FOR, THAT GROUP THAT IS SUFFERING .

THEY ARE THE ONES WHO DO NOT WANT THE BUSINESS LICENSING17:31:18 .

>> I DON´T THINK YOU ARE LISTENING.

I DON´T WANT TO GET17:31:25 DISRESPECTFUL, BUT WE17:31:26 SPECIFICALLY SPOKE TO CONSTRUCTION LICENSES WHICH ARE INDICATED ON THE RISE WITH MORE CONSTRUCTION THERE AND IT ONLY17:31:34 MAKES SENSE.

THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS IS $1400.

THE MOST EXPENSIVE LICENSE IS $1400 AND IN THE ENTIRE VIRGIN ISLANDS COMPARED TO A CHARTER BOAT LICENSE WHICH IS $4000.

IT IS OBVIOUS THAT IF YOU DO BUSINESS IN THE U. S. VIRGIN ISLANDS AND YOU ARE IN THE CONSTRUCTION TRADE WITH $23 BILLION , IT MAKES SENSE WE SHOULD RAISE THE LICENSE AND FEES .

>> MS. RUSSELL, I WANT TO GO TO17:32:12 YOU.

WE HEAR THAT GOVERNOR COMPARING THE FEES .

IS IT BOOMING IN THE TERRITORY AND SHOULD THE LICENSING FEES REFLECT THAT?

>> I TEND TO AGREE THAT LICENSEES ACROSS THE BOARD AND OUR TERRITORY NEED TO BE17:32:31 ADDRESSED.

SOME ARE CODIFIED AND TO HAVE THEM CHANGED, AGENCIES NEED17:32:38 TO PETITION THE LEGISLATURE AND BECAUSE SENATORS ARE ON A TWO- YEAR CYCLE , THEY ARE17:32:46 APPREHENSIVE ABOUT RAISING17:32:47 FEES.

I THINK IT IS TIME TO GIVE AGENCIES THE OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE THE FEES ACCORDINGLY.

IF IT GOES ABOVE A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE THEY COME BACK TO THE LEGISLATURE FOR APPROVAL TO DO SO .

WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO NOT COLLECT AND GENERATE REVENUES IN THE TERRITORY .

THESE BUSINESSES ARE MAKING MONEY HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS .

AND, A CONSTRUCTION APPLICATION FEE17:33:21 AND A17:33:22 CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANT FEE IS $300 PER YEAR .

THEY GET THAT IN TWO HOURS WORTH OF WORK IN ONE17:33:27 DAY.

IS THAT FAIR TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TO NOT CHARGE A FEE FOR THE17:33:38 SERVICES.

17:33:39 I TEND TO AGREE WITH THE GOVERNOR IN THIS REGARD .

THE METHODOLOGY, HOWEVER, NEEDS TO BE REVISITED AND DISCUSSED17:33:45 .

>> NOW, SENATOR FREDERICK HAS SUGGESTED THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD FOCUS ON PENALIZING BUSINESSES THAT ARE NOT FOLLOWING THE17:33:54 RULES.

IS IT A BETTER APPROACH THAN IMPOSING THE FEES OR IS THERE A NEED FOR BOTH ?

>> THERE IS A NEED FOR BOTH .

THERE IS ONLY SO MUCH PENALTIES YOU CAN ASSESS AND A17:34:07 GOVERNMENT CAN ONLY OPERATE BY THE TAXES THEY GENERATE, THE FEES THEY CHARGE OR IF THEY GO OUT TO THE MARKET .

WE ARE NOT GOING OUT TO THE MARKET , THAT I KNOW OF, IN THE TERRITORY .

THE MONEY GENERATED IN THE TERRITORY AND THE REVENUES HAVE TO COME FROM THE TAXES AND FEES .

WE HAVE AN INCOME TAX SYSTEM AND DON´T HAVE ANY CONTROL OF THAT .

WE HAVE GROSS RECEIPTS SET AT 5% AND SO I DON´T SEE THAT.

WE HAVE TO TAKE ON THE FEES BEING CHARGED, ESPECIALLY DURING THIS REBUILD TIME WHEN WE HAVE ALL OF THE COMPANIES FROM THE STATES COMING INTO OUR TERRITORY AND SETTING UP SHOP HERE AND NOT PAYING THEIR FAIR SHARE TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> THE GOVERNOR ALSO CALLED FOR AN INTERNET SALES TAX .

OF COURSE, MANY RESIDENTS DO SHOP ONLINE .

LOCAL PRICES ARE HIGH AND CAN OFTEN BE LIMITED .

SERVICE CAN OFTEN BE HIT AND MISS .

IN THIS CONTEXT, IS AN INTERNET SALES TAX A FAIR WAY TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS OR COULD IT END UP HURTING CONSUMERS RATHER THAN ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM OF LOCAL RETAIL ?

>> IT´S GOING TO HURT LOCAL CONSUMERS THAT I THINK WE NEED TO PUT THINGS IN CONTEXT .

SINCE 1995, ALMOST 30 YEARS AGO17:35:34 , HERE IN THIS DISTRICT IN ST. THOMAS AND ST. JOHN , WE HAVE SEEN A DECLINE IN RETAIL SALES OPERATIONS .

I REMEMBER WHEN IT WAS A HUSTLING AND BUSTLING PLACE WHERE YOU COULD GET ANYTHING FROM SHOES TO FIND LINEN CLOTHING TO WEAR17:35:50 .

YOU17:35:51 CAN´T REALLY DO THAT ON ST. 17:35:52 THOMAS ANYMORE.

WE HAD A BIG BOX STORE HERE,?

WHICH IS A SHELL OF ITSELF COMPARED TO WHAT IT ONCE WAS WHEN IT FIRST OPENED.

PEOPLE TRANSITION TO SHOPPING ONLINE BECAUSE A LOT OF17:36:06 THE17:36:07 ITEMS THEY NEED ARE NOT READILY17:36:08 AVAILABLE HERE IN THE17:36:09 TERRITORY.

BY PUTTING ON AN INTERNET SALES TAX, YOU ARE GOING TO ONE, DRIVE THE COST OF APP -- ACQUISITION FROM THE ONLINE RETAILERS FROM LOCAL CONSUMERS.

AND TWO, PEOPLE WILL FIND WAYS TO WORK AROUND THAT BECAUSE NOT ALL OF THE ONLINE RETAILERS SHIP HERE ALREADY .

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SENDING THINGS TO17:36:36 FAMILY17:36:37 AND FRIENDS IN THE STATES AND THEN THEY SEND THEM IN.

>> ATTORNEY WALKER , WITH THE QUESTION I HAD FOR YOU THAT EVEN IF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS MOVES TO AN INTERNET SALES TAX, HOW REALISTIC IS THE ENFORCEMENT ?

YOU COULD JUST GET YOUR FRIEND IN THE STATES TO MAKE A PURCHASE TO AVOID THE TAX17:37:00 ALTOGETHER.

>> HOW DO YOU SEE THAT ?

>> I DON´T SEE HOW THAT COULD BE PREVENTED.

BY HAVING PEOPLE SHIP TO THE STATES AND THEN SHIPPING HERE17:37:11 .

I THINK WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS THE DISCUSSIONS ARE BEING HAD.

I THINK IT IS AN IMPORTANT POINT WITH THE FEES AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS THAT WE COULD MORE QUICK OR SHOULD BE MORE QUICK LEE ABLE TO ADJUST TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE TERRITORY AND TO COME --FIT THE CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES THAT WE CAN MODIFY.

BOUNCING AROUND THE IDEAS LIKE THE INTERNET SALES TAX AND AIRBNB FEES, I THINK IT´S IMPORTANT THOSE CONVERSATIONS ARE BEING HAD.

SFR IS AN INTERNET SALES TAX , I DON´T SEE HOW YOU CAN PROHIBIT PEOPLE FROM FINDING A WORKAROUND FOR THAT .

>> FOR AIRBNB´S, THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO RAISE SALES TAX FROM 12.

5% TO 20% WHILE KEEPING MOTEL TAXES THE SAME.

IT WOULD SHIFT MORE TOURIST HOTELS AND FREE UP HOUSING FOR LOCAL WORKERS.

SINCE THE SHORT-TERM RENTALS ARE MORE AFFORDABLE, MS. RUSSELL, HOW WILL THIS IMPACT HOMEOWNERS WHO RELY ON AIRBNB17:38:19 FOR INCOME.

WHAT WOULD IT SUGGEST TO THOSE WHO ARE ASKED FOR HELP TO HELP SOLVE THE HOUSING CRISIS ?

>> AGAIN, THE PROBLEM IS TWO FOLD .

WE HAVE TO ENSURE THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE RENTING OUT THEIR HOMES AND SUPPLEMENTING THEIR INCOME BY OFFERING THEIR HOMES ON THE AIRBNB PLATFORM , THAT THEY ARE PAYING THEIR FAIR SHARE TO THE TERRITORY .

AND, IT´S ABOUT EVERYBODY PITCHING IN TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES THAT PLAGUE US.

WE HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE RBL AND WITH AIRBNB WHERE THEY REMIT A PORTION OF THE HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAXES TO THE TERRITORY BUT THERE IS NOT A MECHANISM TO MAKE SURE WE COLLECT .

IN THE STATES , THE STATES HAVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE ONLINE PLATFORMS TO MAKE SURE THE STATES GET THEIR FAIR SHARE.

I HEARD ATTORNEY WALKER AND MR. THOMAS TALK ABOUT THE WORKAROUND FOR THE SALES TAX.

BUT, WHEN WE SEND SOMETHING IN THE BIG ONLINE STORES DON´T SHIP , WE PAY THE STATE TAX AND WE PAY THE TAX TO THE STATE OF GEORGIA OR FLORIDA OR TEXAS AND WE ARE OKAY PAYING THE TAX TO THAT STATE TO SUPPORT THE PEOPLE IN THAT STATE BUT NOT OKAY WITH SUPPORTING THE NEEDS OF OUR OWN PEOPLE, I´M NOT OKAY WITH THAT AND THEN YOU STILL HAVE TO PAY TO SHIP IT HERE.

SO, WE NEED TO HAVE OPEN AND HONEST DISCUSSIONS AND EDUCATE OUR PEOPLE THAT IF YOU ARE OKAY WITH PAYING A STATE TAX TO SHIP17:40:03 SOMETHING TO FLORIDA BECAUSE AMAZON DOES NOT SHIP TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, YOU SHOULD BE WILLING TO PAY THE FEE TO SHIP IT HERE TO THE TERRITORY AND THAT´S WHAT IT BOILS DOWN TO.

WE HAVE TO TAKE PRIDE IN OUR TERRITORY AND WANT17:40:18 BETTER FOR17:40:19 OUR TERRITORY AND EVERYBODY HAS17:40:20 TO WORK TOGETHER.

WE CAN´T JUST KICK THE BLOCK DOWN THE ROAD AND SAY IS GOING TO DRIVE COSTS UP.

IT´S THE SAME COST .

IF YOU17:40:30 PAY TO SHIP IT TO TEXAS TO GET IT HERE, YOU CAN PAY SIX CENTS TO GET IT HERE TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS .

>> ATTORNEY WALKER, BEYOND THE SMALL HOMEOWNERS THEMSELVES, THERE IS A WHOLE ECONOMY BUILT AROUND THE AIRBNB SHORT-TERM RENTALS.

YOU HAVE CLEANERS AND EVEN LANDSCAPERS.

WITH THEM OUT OF THE MARKET , COULD WE SEE PUTTING SOME WORKING-CLASS JOBS AT RISK IN THE PROCESS?

>> ULTIMATELY , I THINK THE TAX WILL ULTIMATELY BE PASSED ON TO THE CONSUMER .

IT WILL BECOME, HOW MUCH OF AN INCREASE WILL CONSUMERS TOLERATE ?

I THINK THE OTHER ISSUE IS AIRBNB .

AIRBNB IS ONE COMPANY AND YOU KNOW YOU HAVE OTHER COMPANIES LIKE THE RBL AND HOME AWAY .

I UNDERSTAND WE ARE COLLECTING AND RECEIVING SOMETHING FROM THE RENTALS FOR AIRBNB BUT I DON´T INC. WE ARE THROUGH THE OTHER COMPANIES AND IT NEEDS TO BE MORE STANDARDIZED TO COLLECT ON ALL SHORT-TERM RENTALS, NO MATTER WHICH COMPANY IS INVOLVED, NUMBER ONE .

NUMBER TWO, I THINK WE HAVE TO DETERMINE IF WE ARE GOING TO INCREASE THE TAX, HOW MUCH OF AN INCREASE WILL THE SYSTEM TOLERATE ?

IF IT WILL TOLERATE AN INCREASE, THEN I THINK WE SHOULD DO IT .

>> LET´S TURN TO A PROPOSED HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ON ST. THOMAS BRINGING 80 AFFORDABLE UNITS.

THE PROPOSED RESIDENCE AT 340 NORTH HAS DRAWN ATTENTION WITH MORE THAN 300 PEOPLE THAT JOIN THE RECENT PUBLIC HEARING AND17:42:15 EXPRESSING CONCERN.

WHY DO YOU THINK THIS PARTICULAR DEVELOPMENT FACES SO MUCH SCRUTINY17:42:22 ?

>> I THINK IS LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION .

SEVERAL DECADES AGO , THERE WAS A17:42:29 PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT NEAR THE SAME AREA OVERLOOKING THE BAY AND IT WAS SHOT DOWN BECAUSE OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS AND, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE WANTING TO PRESERVE HOW THE AREA LOOKS .

I THINK THE KEY QUESTION HERE IS , HOW DO WE DEFINE AFFORDABLE AND 2025 ?

30 YEARS AGO , AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OR THE ST. THOMAS DISTRICT WAS 150.

--$150,000 AND IS THREE TIMES THAT AMOUNT NOW AND THAT NEEDS TO BE PUT IN CONTEXT.

FOR ME , I´M EXCITED TO SEE SOMEONE DOING THE DEVELOPMENT AND I THINK THAT IS A REAL PLUS.

I THINK WE NEED TO SPEND TIME EVALUATING HOW HE IS GOING TO MOVE FORWARD.

I HEARD HIM SAY SOMETHING AND THAT IS OPTIMISTIC GIVEN THE CHALLENGES WE HAVE WITH PERMITTING AND THAT ENTIRE PROCESS .

BUT, YOU KNOW, WE17:43:29 NEED HOMES .

NOT JUST APARTMENTS, WE NEED HOMES .

WHEN YOU SPEAK TO PEOPLE 40 AND UNDER, THEY DON´T SEE THEMSELVES REALLY BECOMING HOMEOWNERS IN THE TERRITORY.

LIKE OUR PARENTS.

IT IS SOMETHING WE NEED17:43:48 TO EVALUATE MORE.

>> YOU SPEAK ABOUT IT BEING HOMEGROWN, DOES THAT PLAY A PART IN THE RESPONSE.

DO YOU SEE THAT BEING AS NEGATIVE OR PESSIMISTIC ?

>> >> THEY LOOK AT ONE WAY THEY WILL DEVELOP AND TWO THE IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND THREE , WHO IS DEVELOPING IT .

>> IT FALLS INTO THAT BOX .

>> GIVEN THAT THE PROJECT IS PRIVATELY FUNDED FOR NOW AND SEEKING SUPPORT, HOW REALISTIC IS THAT THAT 340 NORTH WILL GET BUILT ?

>> >> WHAT I LIKE IS WE HAVE A HOUSING CRISIS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WE HAVE WORKING VERSION ISLANDERS WHO CANNOT AFFORD17:45:07 HOMEOWNERSHIP.

I WOULD LIKE THEM TO SPEAK OUTSIDE THE BOX.

THEY WORK IN PARTNERSHIP TO DEVELOP THAT OR EVEN GER S TO PROVIDE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES TO MEMBERS .

NOT EVERYBODY WHO LIVES IN .

WITH THE HOUSING TO BE ABLE TO OWN A FOR PROVERBIAL PIECE OF THE ROCK.

I THINK THE PROBLEM AS WE SPOKE ABOUT GENTRIFICATION IN ST. THOMAS, WE ALSO HAVE TO TAKE A LOOK TO ENSURE IT IS THE VERSION ISLANDERS WHO GET THE FIRST WRITER FIRST RIGHT OF REFUSAL TO BECOME HOMEOWNERS ON A PROPOSED SITE .

I THINK THAT IS A MAJOR CONCERN FOR17:46:03 MANY PEOPLE AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE REACHED OUT TO ME.

>> THEY WANT PEOPLE TO BE LOADED WITH INDIVIDUALS FROM THE OUTSIDE AS A WINTERTIME RENTAL ON THE AIRBNB PLATFORM NINE MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR.

WE HAVE TO THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX AND SUPPORT MISTER PINERO TO GET HOMES FOR VERSION ISLANDERS .

>> WITH THE HIGHWAY USE TAX, THE BILL WAS HELD IN COMMITTEE AFTER CONCERNS WERE RAISED ABOUT HOW COMPLEX IT WOULD BE TO IMPLEMENT.

ATTORNEY WALKER, WAS IT REALISTIC TO PROPOSE A TIERED17:46:48 SYSTEM.

LIKE DIRECTOR JOEL LEE HAS SAID , IT PUTS AN ADDED STRAIN ON THE BUREAU OF INTERNAL REVENUE, OR SHOULD IT BE SIMPLIFIED .

>> I MEAN, CLEARLY IT SHOULD BE17:47:02 SIMPLIFIED.

THIS IS ONE OF THOSE EXAMPLES WHERE YOU FAIL TO REACH OUT17:47:08 TO THE INDIVIDUALS OR TO THE AGENCIES WHO WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPLEMENTATION AND YOU END UP WITH THE COMMITTEE MEETING WHERE THEY COME IN AND THEY TELL YOU ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE WRONG WITH YOUR PERP POSTAL .

I THINK WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN IN AN IDEAL SITUATION IS BECAUSE IT HAS TO BE IMPLEMENTED BY IRB OR BECAUSE THERE IS INTERACTION OR17:47:34 INTERFACING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS , WHAT SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED WAS THEY SHOULD´VE BEEN CONTACTED FOR PUBLIC INPUT AND THEN THE PROPOSAL SHOULD HAVE BEEN DRAFTED AND I THINK THAT WOULD´VE BEEN A SMOOTHER PRESENTATION TO THE PUBLIC OF THIS PROPOSED SOLUTION TO HELP GENERATE LIVER ROOM --REVENUE .

>> SOMETIMES THE OPERATORS ARE EXEMPT FROM PAYING THE HIGHWAY USER TAX ACCORDING TO VIRGIN ISLANDS LAW .

IT DOESN´T17:48:09 TOUCH THE EXISTING EXEMPTION .

DO17:48:12 YOU17:48:13 BELIEVE HE SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED TAXI DRIVERS IN THE BILL GIVEN HOW THEY USE THE ROADS AS MUCH AS EVERYBODY ELSE .

>> ON THE BASIS OF FAIRNESS, YES.

I UNDERSTAND THE INTENT .

BECAUSE YOU ARE TRYING TO HAVE TAXIS WHICH ARE LOW17:48:32 INCOME BUSINESSES AND WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE BREAKS GIVEN TO TAXES FOR THOSE COMING FROM THE OUTSIDE END, IT MAKES SENSE.

AT THE SAME TIME , THEY USE THE PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE MORE THAN17:48:47 ANYBODY ELSE.

WOULD YOU WANT TO IMPLEMENT ATTACKS AT THE SAME RATE YOU WOULD AN 18 WHEELER?

MAYBE NOT .

BUT I THINK THE TIME HAS COME FOR THE VEHICLES TO PAY SOME SORT OF ROAD TAX .

>> AND THE BILL WOULD ONLY APPLY TO NEW VEHICLES INTO THE TERRITORY AND NOT VEHICLES ON17:49:08 THE ROAD.

DOES THAT IMPACT RAISING17:49:11 MONEY FOR ROAD MAINTENANCE?

OR IS THERE A POINT17:49:18 THAT THE TAX SHOULD BE ANNUAL WHEN YOU GO TO REGISTER YOUR VEHICLE?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT WE --IF THE BILL WAS ENACTED AS WRITTEN, IT WOULD NOT GENERATE THE VOLUME OF MONEY THAT WOULD17:49:33 BE NEEDED.

I DON´T THINK THE DRAFTER OF17:49:39 THE REGISTRATION OR THE PROPONENTS OF THE LEGISLATION HAVE DONE IN THE ANALYSIS17:49:44 ON THE PROPOSED REVENUE THAT WOULD BE GENERATED .

BUT, BASED ON THE DIRECTOR´S TESTIMONY, THAT AMOUNT WOULD NOT BE SIGNIFICANT.

THAT BEING SAID, WE DO HAVE MULTIPLE VEHICLES WITH TWO OR THREE VEHICLES PER HOUSEHOLD THAT UTILIZE OUR ROADWAYS.

AGAIN , I AM FOR EDUCATING THE PUBLIC AND I THINK IF YOU EDUCATE THE PUBLIC AS TO HOW A GOVERNMENT OPERATES AND WHAT17:50:13 THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO OPERATE, THEN YOU CAN CHARGE A FEE .

HOWEVER, PEOPLE NEED TO BE ABLE TO TRUST THE GOVERNMENT AND KNOW THAT THE MONEY THAT IS GOING TO YOUR HIGHWAYS IS GOING TO BE USED TO FIX ROADS .

CURRENTLY, THAT HIGHWAY USER TAX , WE USE THAT MONEY AS A PLEDGE AGAINST BOND ISSUE FOR THE WATER AND POWER AUTHORITY.

WE USE THE MONEY AS A REVENUE SOURCE FOR BOND ISSUANCE .

IF WE ARE GOING TO MOVE TOWARDS HAVING A USER TAX ANNUALLY , THEN WE HAVE TO KNOW THAT THOSE MONIES MUST GO TOWARD THE REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF OUR PUBLIC ROADWAYS AND WE CANNOT HAVE LEGISLATORS FOR THE MOVING OF THEIR PERSONAL AGENDA EVERY TWO YEARS TO GET REELECTED SHIFT THOSE MONIES AWAY FROM ROADS.

--TWO OTHER ITEMS.

I THINK IF YOU ARE ABLE TO HAVE IT DIRECTLY GO TO ROAD REPAIRS THAT IT WOULD BE MORE PALATABLE TO THE PUBLIC .

>> YES.

LET´S TURN NOW TO ANOTHER TAX PROPOSAL FROM A SENATOR17:51:28 WHO WOULD DOUBLE THE TAX ON SHIPPING CONTAINERS BROUGHT TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS RAISING THE FEE TO $100 FOR SMALL CONTAINERS UP TO $200 FOR LARGE CONTAINERS .

IT IS GONE TO THE BUDGET AND FINANCE AND RULES COMMITTEE THIS WITH A PROPOSED FEDERAL TARIFF WITH CHINESE CARGO VESSELS.

THE TARIFFS COULD RISE THE COST OF SHIPPING TO THE VIRGIN17:51:58 ISLANDS.

ONE OF THE MOST WIDELY USED CARRIERS ECHOED THOSE CONCERNS.

NOW , THE SENATOR DID PULL BACK HIS BILL BEFORE THE WAS A HEARING .

YOU SEE THIS AS A17:52:13 REASONABLE RESPONSE TO THE17:52:14 SHIFTING ECONOMIC CONCERNS WE ARE SEEING HERE , OR WAS IT A SIGN THE BILL WAS NOT FULLY THOUGHT OUT ?

>> I DON´T KNOW WHEN HE DRAFTED THE BILL, BUT I THINK IT WAS A REASONABLE RESPONSE.

TARIFFS HAVE BEEN THE BUZZWORD FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS.

NATIONALLY AND EVEN INTERNATIONALLY.

WHEN YOU CONSIDER --I HEARD AN EXECUTIVE SAYING THAT OTHER THAN THE ENTIRE FLEET ONLY TWO OR THREE OTHER BOATS WERE BUILT IN AMERICA AND THE REST WERE BUILT IN CHINA AND MADE OF CHINESE CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL .

WE HAVE TO EVALUATE THIS CONCEPT OF INCREASING CHARGES VERY CAREFULLY BECAUSE IN THE CONTEXT OF OUR DISCUSSION , THEY INCREASED FEES .

AS A RESULT OF THAT , IT MAKES17:53:10 THE COST OF LIVING EVEN MORE EXPENSIVE .

I THINK WE NEED TO GET CREATIVE WITH GENERATING REVENUE AND A TERRITORY OUTSIDE OF LOOKING FOR THE AVERAGE MAN AND WOMAN ON THE STREET TO FOOT THE BILL FOR GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS IN TERMS OF REVENUE .

>> IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU´VE BEEN WATCHING MY NOTES.

IS THERE A LACK OF CREATIVITY IN COMING UP WITH NEW GENERATING REVENUE IDEAS IN THE TERRITORY BECAUSE EVERY TIME WE TURN AROUND THERE IS A PROPOSAL FOR A NEW FEE OR A NEW TAX .

>> YES, SOME YEARS AGO, THE DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU OF INTERNAL REVENUE INDICATED THEY HAD MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF UNCOLLECTED MONEY ON THE STREET THAT IS ONE AREA WE NEED TO LOOK INTO WITH GETTING COLLECTION AGENCIES TO WORK WITH US TO COLLECT THE TAXES WE ARE OWED .

WE NEED TO LOOK AT OTHER AVENUES TO TRACK INVESTMENT IN THE TERRITORY .

I KNOW THERE IS DISCUSSION OF RESTARTING THE REFINERY ON SINK TROY AND LET´S SEE HOW THAT17:54:15 GOES.

BUT, AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE CAN´T JUST SOCKET TO THE PUBLIC EVERY TIME WE DECIDE THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS REVENUE.

IT´S JUST NOT FAIR AND IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO LIVE HERE.

I THINK YOUNGER PEOPLE, SOONER OR LATER, WHEN THEY GET FED UP, THERE NOT GOING TO STAY, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY CAN´T OWN A HOME AND THEY ARE GOING TO17:54:37 MOVE ELSEWHERE .

>> THEY HAVE RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT THE FEDERAL TARIFFS AND SHIPPING COSTS .

SHOULD LOCAL LAWMAKERS HOLD OFF ON TAX REFORMS ALTOGETHER UNTIL WE KNOW HOW THESE ONGOING AND EVER CHANGING TRUMP POLICIES WILL PLAY OUT.

>> SOME TAX PROPOSALS , I THINK YOUR QUESTION TO MISTER THOMAS WHEN THERE IS A LACK OF CREATIVITY , I THINK THERE IS A17:55:13 LACK OF COLLABORATION BECAUSE YOU NOW HAVE WITHIN A ONE OR TWO WEEKS AND, THE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT OPPOSING DIFFERENT PROPOSALS THAT MAY IMPACT DIFFERENT GROUPS OF PEOPLE.

I THINK IT THIS POINT THERE JUST NEEDS TO BE A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT THAT INCLUDES THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND INCLUDE17:55:28 SMALL BUSINESS.

WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO IS, WHAT CAN PEOPLE TOLERATE?

I THINK THERE SHOULD BE AN INCREASE OF SOMETHING.

IF AT THAT LEVEL .

IT DEPENDS ON WHAT PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES CAN TOLERATE.

>> WITH THE TAXES AND AIRBNB FEES AND HIGHER COSTS AND NOW WE HEAR THE PROPOSAL FOR CONTAINER FEES , YOU KNOW, SIMILAR TO MISTER THOMAS´ QUESTION , WHY DO YOU THINK LAWMAKERS ARE PUSHING THIS17:56:08 AT THE TIME WHEN IT IS ALREADY HIGH-END RESIDENTS FEEL THE STRAIN ?

>> I DON´T THINK ANYBODY IS PUSHING ANYTHING.

JUST PART OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS IS TO DRAFT LEGISLATION.

AND THE DISCUSSION DURING THE REVENUE GENERATING CONFERENCE, THAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE CONFERENCE.

THE PURPOSE OF THE CONFERENCE IS TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THE GOVERNMENT IS AND IDEAS FOR GENERATING REVENUE AND IT´S THAT DISCUSSION .

ANY NEW TAX OR ANY NEW FEES HAVE TO GO TO THE LEGISLATURE BUT WE HAVE TO BE17:56:47 REALISTIC.

17:56:48 IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, WE DON´T17:56:49 PAY FOR TRASH PICKUP.

THERE ARE THINGS WE DON´T DO IN THE TERRITORY THAT´S DONE ACROSS THE UNITED STATES MAINLAND AND YET THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS EXPECTED TO PROVIDE SERVICES .

WE HAVE A CRUMBLING HEALTHCARE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE CAN´T17:57:07 ADDRESS.

SO, THE ONLY WAY TO SUCCEED IS THROUGH TAXES AND FEES AND WE HAVE TO HAVE17:57:14 DISCUSSION ON WHAT PEOPLE CAN TOLERATE ATTORNEY WALKER´S.

.

>> THAT´S ALL THE SHOW WE HAVE TODAY.

TUTORING IN NEXT SUNDAY FOR COMES WITH THE TERRITORY .

AND YOU CAN TUNE IN AT 93.

1 FM OR DOWNLOAD THE APP.

I AM MARCELLINA VENTURA-DOUGLAS AND FOR ALL OF US HERE ON WTJX CHANNEL 12, TAKE CARE.