>>> ON THIS EPISODE OF "COMES WITH THE TERRITORY", THE PROPOSED FARE HIKES FOR BIKE AND TRAINS HAS RAISED CONCERNS AMONG SOME RIDERS, PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSIONER DEREK GABRIEL IS HERE TO!

THE REASON BEHIND THE FARE INCREASE.

WHILE SENATOR MARVIN BLYDEN OFFERS INSIGHT AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS.

THE VIRGIN ISLAND SUPREME COURT DISMISSED A CIVIL LAWSUIT THAT FORMER LARGE SENATOR STEPHEN PAYNE SENIOR FILED AGAINST THE LEGISLATURE CLAIMING WRONGFUL EXPULSION.

>> LIBERTY, LATIN AMERICA, WITH SUBSIDIES HAVE WHAT IS BECOME DANGEROUS.

IT IS DANGEROUS UNREGULATED INDUSTRY IN THE TERRITORY.

>> WITH LIBERTY´S ONGOING SERVICE ISSUES, LAWMAKERS RECENTLY PASSED A RESOLUTION AND THAT INVOLVING THE FCC.

WE WILL EXPLAIN.

>>> PLUS --WE NEED TO REDUCE THE POLITICIZATION OF THIS BULLET PARTICULAR OFFICE.

>> SENATORS VOTED TO FORWARD TO THE COMMITTEE AND RESOLUTION TO PETITION CONGRESS TO AMEND THE REVISED ORGANIC ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TO ELECT ITS ATTORNEY GENERAL.

WE WILL HAVE MORE AND LATER, THIS WEEK´S PANEL, JOINING THE CONVERSATION TO ANALYZE THESE ISSUES AND MORE.

"COMES WITH THE TERRITORY" STARTS NOW.

>> WELCOME TO "COMES WITH THE TERRITORY".

I AM LESLEY COMMISSIONG.

THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS WAS ONLY ANNOUNCED PLANS FOR PROPOSED FARE INCREASES WITHIN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TRANSIT SYSTEM AS OF APRIL 15th.

THE FARE ADJUSTMENT MARKS THE FIRST CHANGE IN PRICING SINCE ITS INCEPTION BACK IN 1994 AND THE INCREASES NEEDED TO OFF-SITE FUEL AND MAINTENANCE COST, ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.

PROPOSED FARES FOR FIXED ROUTES ARE SET TO INCREASE FROM $1 TO $2.50, MARKING A 150% RISE.

SOME OF US WRITERS SAID, IF THE RATES ARE GOING TO BE RAISED, THEY EXPECT THE CORRESPONDING IMPROVEMENT IN SERVICE QUALITY.

>> YOU RAISE THE PRICE, THAT MEANS YOU HAVE TO GIVE BETTER SERVICE.

>> FIRST THING IS FIRST, THEY SHOULD BE ON TIME.

BUT IF THEY ARE TRYING TO RAISE THE PRICE, THEN THEY DEFINITELY NEED TO SEE IMPROVEMENTS.

>> THEY DON´T CARE --FOR THE BUSES THAT THEY HAVE NOW.

SO WHAT YOU THINK THEY ARE GOING TO DO WITH THE THEIR RAISES, THE BUS STOPS ARE ATROCIOUS, AND THEY DON´T CLEAN THEM.

IT IS HORRIFIC.

I KNOW THAT THEY CAN MAINTAIN THE BUS BUT THEY SHOULD HAVE TO PAY OF THE BUT $2.50 IS TOO MUCH.

$1.50 SHOULD BE THE LIMIT.

>> THE PROPOSED CHANGES, TRANSIT LINE PAIRS WILL ALSO INCREASE FROM $2 TO $5, A CONCERNING PROSPECT FOR SOME DISABILITY RIGHTS ADVOCATES.

>> I UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR RAISE RATES, HOWEVER THE METHODOLOGY AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING IS VERY PROBLEMATIC.

YOU CANNOT ASK PARATRANSIT WRITERS, TO BEAR THE COST OF THIS INCREASE, BECAUSE WE HAVE THERE TO MANAGE ON OUR ENDS, AND THESE RATES HAVEN´T BEEN CHANGED, SINCE 1994.

AND NOW, THEY´RE ASKING PEOPLE ON FIXED INCOMES, TO PAY DOUBLE THE COST OF RIGHT NOW.

AND, I THINK FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS, AND THE PERIOD IT IS SHORT.

AND, IT OFFERS NO TIME FOR THE PUBLIC TO REALLY DELVE INTO THE SUBJECT MATTER, AND I ONLY RECENTLY HEARD ABOUT THIS AND I THINK I KEEP IN TOUCH, SO WHAT ABOUT THE INDIVIDUALS WHO CAN UTILIZE PARATRANSIT BUT DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET, OR ACCESS TO THE RADIO, WHO HAVE DISABILITIES AND RELY ON THE SERVICE AND THEY ARE HEARING ABOUT IT AT TOO SHORT NOTICE TO GET SOMEBODY TO ADVOCATE ON THEIR BEHALF, TO MAKE THEIR VOICES HEARD.

BUT, THIS COST IS SOMETHING THAT THEY CANNOT AFFORD AND I THINK THAT WHAT THEY ARE DOING, THEY NEED TO BE RECONSIDERED AT THIS POINT.

>> THE PUBLIC REQUESTED TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK ON THE FARE CHANGES BY MARCH 26th, AS STATED IN A PRESS RELEASE, DATED MARCH 20th.

>> JOINED THE SHOW TO SHARE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CHANGES, IS PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSIONER, DEREK GABRIEL AND ALSO JOINED BY SENATOR MARVIN BLYDEN, CHAIRMAN ON THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS.

WELCOME TO "COMES WITH THE TERRITORY", THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

LET´S START WITH YOU COMMISSIONER GABRIEL.

LET´S TALK ABOUT THE DETAILS OF THE REASONS BEHIND THE INCREASE THAT FOLKS ARE NOT TOO HAPPY ABOUT.

>> WHEN WE ARE ANALYZING OUR RATES, AND REALLY, IT IS A PROCESS THAT WE HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH NOW FOR ABOUT 18 MONTHS, AND I WANT TO START BY SAYING, THERE WILL BE VERY FEW TRANSIT SERVICES.

AT MOST TIMES, EITHER THE STATE OR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAVE BEEN SUBSIDIZING THAT SERVICE.

AND SIMILARLY HERE, WE HAVE ACTUALLY SUBSIDIZED ABOUT $5.66 MILLION EACH YEAR.

AND SO WE HAVE A LOT OF A SHARE IF YOU WILL, AND, TRYING TO FIND RULES LIKE SOMEBODY HAD SAID, TO MAKE IT MORE RELIABLE, AND MORE ON TIME, AND HAVE MORE BUSES.

AND REALLY, THE ONLY WAY THAT WE CAN MAKE IT MORE RELIABLE, WAS TO RAISE THE RATES JUST A LITTLE BIT, TRYING TO DO THINGS LIKE THE PUBLIC SAW MOST RECENTLY, AND, THAT IS GOING TO HELP US REDUCE COSTS AND FUEL COSTS.

AND FUEL COSTS ARE RISING, I FEEL LIKE ALMOST EVERY DAY BUT INCREASING OUR FUEL BUDGET, THEY AREN´T GETTING ANY CHEAPER, NONE OF THE CONSUMABLE PARTS, AND IT IS BECOMING HARDER TO ACQUIRE.

SO, JUST LOOKING AT WAYS, TO MAKE IT MORE AFFORDABLE NOT ONLY FOR THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT MORE RELIABLE FOR THE RIDERS.

>> LET´S GET SENATOR BLYDEN IN YOUR, WHAT YOU THINK THE RATE INCREASES TOO MUCH?

>> FROM THE OUTSET, AND IN 30 YEARS, WE HAVEN´T HAD AN INCREASE BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE TO HAVE EVERYTHING ON THE SAME SCALE.

I BELIEVE, MANY INDIVIDUALS WHO RIDE THE BUS ARE MOST DISADVANTAGED INDIVIDUALS AND FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS TO PAY OUT OF THE MONTH, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT IT FROM A PERSPECTIVE AND I THINK FOR US, BUT FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS, IT IS A LOT.

AND, I UNDERSTAND, THE INCREASE, WITH HOW YOU DO IT.

WITH MY CONCERN.

AND, A 150% INCREASE.

AND, AND THAT IS A LOT.

>> THEY PUBLICLY CRITICIZED THE FARE INCREASES, LABELED AS DISRESPECTFUL FOR ALLOWING RESIDENTS, 60 DAYS TO WEIGH IN.

AND TO HOLD TOWN HALL MEETINGS ON A SIGNIFICANT MATTER, HE ALSO SAID THERE WAS NO NEED.

AND REVENUE-GENERATING LEGISLATION IN 2019, THAT AUTHORIZES THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSIONER, TO PERMIT ADVERTISEMENT AND HERE IS MORE ON THAT.

>> ENDING THE BILL PASSED, THAT THEY GOT PAST.

AND, THAT DEAL WAS TO HELP THEM CAUSE FOR SENIORS LIST, THAT WOULD BE BECAUSE AT THE PREVIOUS COMMISSIONER STATING, IT WAS $800,000, AFTER ONE GENERATING, BECAUSE OF THAT IS SO LOW.

AND, THAT DATA AMOUNT, AND, THEY CAN GENERATE A COUPLE HUNDRED THOUSAND IF ANY OFF OF THAT.

LET´S DO IT AND YOU CAN GIVE ME A CALL, AND THEN GIVE ME A CHANCE AND, I THINK MOST OF THEM CAN GIVE YOU THAT FIRST.

>> COMMISSIONER, WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THE COMMENTS FROM THE SENATOR, IS THERE ENOUGH DEMAND FOR ADVERTISING ON BUSES TO SUBSIDIZE TO THE TUNE THAT HE SAID.

AND ALSO ABOUT THE COMMENT PERIOD AND NOT HAVING A TOWN HALL ON THIS.

>> A COUPLE THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO FACT CHECK.

UM, WHEN WE DID THE INITIATIVE FOR ADVERTISING ON THE BUS STOPS WHEN IT WAS DONE.

IT WAS TO SUBSIDIZE A FREE RIDE THAT WE PROVIDE TO THE SENIORS.

SO I KNOW ANY SENIOR CITIZENS.

AND ON THE BUS, AS LONG AS THE BUSES OPERATING.

AND, WHEN WE PROPOSED THE FARE INCREASES, WE ALSO PROPOSED LIMITING THE HOURS THAT OUR SENIORS RIDE FOR FREE, SO YOU CAN MAXIMIZE THE REVENUE GENERATED.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE, GAVE US SOME REALLY GOOD PUBLIC FEEDBACK, SIMILAR TO SENATOR DEGRAFF.

WHERE IT WAS ANALYZING PEOPLE THAT NEEDED IT.

SO WE DECIDED TO SCALE BACK ON THAT AND KEEP IT ON HAVING SENIOR CITIZENS, WRITING FOR FREE ALL DAY LONG BUT THEN IT IS LESS JIM REVENUE GENERATED.

SO THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY, TO REALLY SUBSIDIZE THAT ASIDE, NOT ONLY OF FREE RIDE, BUT ALSO THOSE THAT RIDE CONSISTENTLY.

>> JUST FOR CLARITY, SENIORS RIDE FOR FREE ALL DAY?

EXCELLENT.

NOW I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU SENATOR BLYDEN.

AND WE MENTIONED EARLIER, IT IS TOO MUCH TOO FAST, WHAT WILL YOUR PROPOSAL BE, HOW WILL YOU ALLOW THIS INCREASED?

>> IT MAY BE THE FIRST YEAR, AND SEE HOW IT GOES, AND, THEY HAVE DONE SURVEYS OF THEIR RIDERSHIP, AND HOW THEY CAN PAY OFF THE COST AND THAT WOULD BE VERY IMPORTANT IN TERMS OF THE TERRITORY, AND I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

>> COMMISSIONER, IN THE COMMENT PERIOD, THERE WAS A BY SENATOR BLYDEN AND ABOUT IT BEING TOO SHORT, TELL ME ABOUT THE COMMENT PERIOD AND HOW YOU GUYS CONSTRUCTED IT, WHERE CAN INDIVIDUALS MAKE COMMENTS ON THIS, AND WHY THERE IS A TOWN HALL ON THIS.

>> FIRST AND FOREMOST, THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION REQUIRES THAT YOU HAVE A 30 DAY COMMENT PERIOD ANYTIME YOU´RE RAISING THE RATES, THAT IS IN ADDITION TO HOW WE DO.

SO, THOSE BOXES WERE CHECKED.

AND AGAIN, WE EXTENDED THE DOUBLE THE AMOUNT OF THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD THAT IS REQUIRED AND WE ALSO LIKELY HAVE BEEN EXTENDING OUR PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IN APRIL.

TO ALLOW FOR MORE COMMENTS, SO, WE CAN LOOK AT THAT, AND THE TOWN HALL, LITERALLY, THREE PEOPLE SHOWED UP, SUDDENLY, THAT IS A LITTLE DISCOURAGING, AND THAT WAS ANOTHER INITIATIVE.

AND AGAIN, WE ARE TRYING TO FIND WAYS, LIKE I SAID, TO MAKE OUR SERVICE MORE RELIABLE, AND ALSO TO SPREAD THE BURDEN OF THE COST.

MY THOUGHT PROCESS WAS THAT MORE PEOPLE RIDE THE BUS WITH RELIABLE SERVICE AND WE ARE ABLE TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF BUSES THAT WE HAVE, THAT WOULD MAKE IT A BETTER SERVICE.

>> HOW IS THE PUBLIC NOTIFIED ABOUT THE INCREASE AND THE COMMENT PERIOD.

>> SO WE DID A NUMBER OF POSTS IN THE MEDIA, WE DID OUR NORMAL PRESS RELEASES.

I WILL SAY THE ONE THING THAT I DIDN´T DO WAS GO OUT ON THE RADIO LIKE I USUALLY DO, EVEN COMMENT ON A SHOW LIKE THIS.

WHICH IS WHY WE LOOKED AT EXTENDING THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

I REALLY LIKE TO DO MORE WITH SOCIAL MEDIA.

SO THE PUBLIC OF YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS, PLEASE LET US KNOW, WE ARE ALWAYS OPEN AND WILLING TO ACCEPT WHATEVER IT IS.

I WILL TELL YOU, AND THE COMPETITION, AND REALLY PROUD OF THE AMOUNT OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION THAT WE´VE HAD IN THE CHANGES THAT WE ARE MAKING IN THE RIGHT TRACK.

>> SENATOR BLYDEN, HAVE YOU HAD ANY CONSTITUENTS REACH OUT TO YOU ON THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE?

>> YES I HAVE.

SO, THEY HAD ABOUT THREE CALLS IN THAT RESPECT, BUT I BELIEVE THE PUBLIC COMMENT.

AND IT IS ON A RADIO STATION BECAUSE THE RIDERSHIP IN THE TERRITORY AND LISTENING TO THE RADIO STATIONS.

AND THE RADIO STATION SAID IT IS KEY TO THE WAY THAT PEOPLE ARE.

AND THEY WILL LISTEN TO THE RADIO ON A DAILY BASIS.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS.

AND WHAT KIND OF QUESTION ARE THEY ASKING.

>> SIMILAR TO WHAT THEY HAD EARLIER.

AND, IT COMES TO, THE SERVICE AND WHEN IT COMES TO BEING AND DEPENDABLE.

AND ARE THOSE CONCERNS COMING FORWARD AND ON THE INCREASE ON THE SERVICE.

AND, MAKE SURE THOSE ARE THE TYPE OF COMMENTS.

>> LAMY ASKED BOTH OF YOU THE QUESTION, BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW THAT HOWEVER MANY THOUSAND POUND ELEPHANT IS IN THE ROOM, BUT THE DOLLAR RIDES, WE KNOW THAT THIS IS PREDATING YOU, SO, FOR YEARS NOW, THEY HAVE ERODED THE INCOME AND REVENUE THAT THEY CAN POTENTIALLY MAKE.

THERE IS AN ARGUMENT THAT MORE OF THEM, THAT ARE BUSES.

THEY RUN MORE FREQUENTLY AND IT IS MORE CONVENIENT FOR RIDERSHIP BUT ONE CAN ONLY IMAGINE IF WE ARE SUBSIDIZING A GOVERNMENT, FOR THE SYSTEM, WITH UP TO $5 MILLION PER YEAR, YOU HAVE TO THINK, THAT KIND OF AT LEAST WAS A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THAT IS GOING TO BE TAXI DRIVERS.

AND HOW CAN WE, AS IT WEREN´T EVEN INVESTING IN FORCING OFFICERS TO BETTER ENFORCE WHAT SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING, AND AS ACTUAL LEGAL TO START AND BEGIN TO RECAPTURE SOME OF THAT REVENUE IN THE SYSTEM.

>> IT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

AND I THINK ENFORCEMENT OF THE FIRST STEP, IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

AND, THERE´S A LACK OF SAFETY.

AND I´M SURPRISED BECAUSE THEY ARE UNREGULATED.

FOR US, TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION IF YOU WILL.

I THINK WE HAVE DONE A LOT OF STUDIES FOR WHAT IS CALLED THE MICRO TRANSIT AND THEY ARE REALLY LOOKING AT HOW WE CAN USE THAT AS AN EXPRESS ROUTE, AND, IT IS REALLY RELIABLE SERVICE.

AND, THE RESIDENTS GET PICKED UP INTO THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND THEN YOU CAN THINK OF A SMALLER BUS, LESS FREQUENTLY.

AND THE INCREASING THE RELIABILITY AGAIN.

AND INCREASING THE BUSES, WHICH ALSO ALLOWS HER LESS DOWNTIME.

AND, I THINK THE ANSWER FOR THAT, THEY PROVIDED MORE AND THE DOLLAR RUNS WOULD GO BACK TO DO WHAT THEY ARE NORMALLY SUPPOSED TO DO, WHICH IS PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION FOR THE TOURISTS.

>> SENATOR MARTIN, LET ME GIVE YOU THE TAKE ON THAT.

>> I´M HAPPY TO ANSWER THE QUESTION, SEVERAL THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN IN THAT SPACE, NUMBER ONE, YOU ARE CORRECT, IN PROVIDING MORE OF A SERVICE TO INDIVIDUALS.

AND, THEY CAME ABOUT IN THE GAP THAT WAS THERE, SO WE ARE THE ONES THAT BASICALLY HAVE THEM DOING WHAT THEY ARE DOING BUT NONETHELESS, I WANT TO ADD THOSE THAT MAY ARE REGULATED AND SAFARIS ARE FEDERALLY REGISTERED AND THAT WAS THE PROCESS WE HAD TO DEAL WITH SOMETIME BUT IT HELPED ME GET THEM CERTIFIED.

WELL THOUGH, AND ALL THE MORE BUT RIGHT NOW WELL WE WILL BE TRYING TO GET THEM INTO COMPLIANCE.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE SPOKE ABOUT THE TRANSFER STATION AND FOR SOME TIME ABOUT PUBLIC WORKS.

I THINK THAT´S THE KEY RIGHT THERE BECAUSE NOBODY SHOULD BE GOING FROM TOWN TO COUNTRY´S BACK TO TOWN.

AND THEN BACK INTO COUNTRIES.

IT SHOULD STAY IN THE COUNTRY BUILDING.

IT DOES HAVE SEVERAL TIMES IT HELPS THE RELIABILITY AND HELPING IN TERMS OF BEING ON TIME, AND IT IS A WIN WIN FOR EVERYONE.

AND I THINK PUBLIC WORKS ARE WORKING ON THAT SPACE AND I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR SOME QUESTIONS IN THAT RESPECT.

SO SENATOR BLYDEN IS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.

WE ARE MOVING TO A SIMILAR RIDE- SHARE, WHERE YOU CAN SEE YOUR BUSES ON THE ROUTE, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF BLIND SPOTS DUE TO THE TECHNOLOGY HERE IN THE TERRITORY.

AND, YOU HAD A GREAT SYSTEM, THAT WE HAD PROCURED, AS PURCHASED, AS THEY DON´T DO BUSINESS IN THE TERRITORY.

SO IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR SECONDARY SOFTWARE, WHICH WAS ABLE TO CREATE THAT APP.

AND WHEN YOU´RE MAIN LINE OF BUSES RUN IN, AND, MORE REGULARLY, I THINK YOU WILL SEE A CHANGE ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN THE TERRITORY.

>> I THINK YOU ALSO CAPTURE THAT REVENUE IS TO INCORPORATE SOME OF THOSE SAFARI DRIVERS AND PAY A FEE FOR THE RIGHT TO BE ABLE TO RUN THAT PARTICULAR SERVICE, SO THAT THEY WOULD BE SUBCONTRACTORS, AND THAT WAY IT CAN ALSO GENERATE REVENUE FOR THE SYSTEM.

>> AND ALSO FOR THE SYSTEM, I BELIEVE WE CAN HAVE ALL TRANSPORTATION ON THE PUBLIC WORKS, TO INCLUDE INCLUDED AND WHO GOES TO THE STORE AND ET CETERA.

AND, THE SYSTEM WILL WORK WELL FOR ALL BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO WITH THE CUSTOMERS.

>> CORRECT, I THINK THAT IS A GREAT IDEA, AND I HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT IT ON THE RADIO.

THERE´S A LOT OF LOST REVENUE THAT IS UNACCOUNTED FOR, THAT GOES UNDER THE TAXES.

LET´S BE FRANK ABOUT THIS, AND THESE SERVICES, IT WOULD BE GREAT FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO CAPTURE SOME OF THAT.

>> I GUESS I WILL LEAVE IT HERE, WHERE I DO HAVE A PLUG- IN, THAT I THINK THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS NEED TO EVOLVE INTO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, GIVING UP SOME OF THE CAPITAL PRODUCT FUNCTIONS THAT WE HAVE, AND REALLY FOCUSING ON TRANSPORTATION.

WHETHER IT IS A PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEM, AND THE ROADS AND THE HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES, BUT ALSO SAID, THE TAXICABS, THERE IS A LOT IN THE FERRY SYSTEM, THERE´S A LOT OF ROOM FOR GROWTH, FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS TO REALLY EVOLVE INTO TRANSPORTATION AND JOIN OUR PARTNERS THROUGHOUT THE U.S. >> AND COMING FROM A CONFERENCE, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THEY SAID THEY DO, AND THOSE LARGE STATES, IT INVOLVES TRANSPORTATION, BECAUSE WE HAVE SEVERAL DEVELOPMENTS, AND WE WILL HAVE MOST OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS, DEPENDING ON TRANSPORTATION, AND A PLACE THAT WE CAN ALSO TAP INTO.

>> WHAT A GREAT DISCUSSION OUR TIME IS UP BUT I THINK WE HIT A LOT OF VALUABLE POINTS THAT THE PUBLIC WOULD APPRECIATE.

UP NEXT, WE WILL HEAR FROM THE POWER PANEL BUT FIRST LET´S TAKE A LOOK AT THE TOPICS OF OUR DISCUSSION.

>> EXPELLED SENATOR STEPHEN D PAYNE.

>> WHEN ALL 14 OF HIS COLLEGE MONITORS PULL HIM FROM THE SENATE IN 2022, AMID SEXUAL HARASSMENT CLAIMS, SENATOR STEPHEN PAYNE, CLAIMED WRONGFUL EXPULSION.

AND HIS CIVIL LAWSUIT MADE IT TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SUPREME COURT, WHERE IT WAS REALLY RECENTLY.

>> AND IF THEY HAD BEEN VINDICATED.

AND, THEY HAVE BEEN UPDATED IN THE MESSAGE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> DURING ORAL ARGUMENTS ON MARCH 12th, BEFORE CHIEF JUSTICE REESE HODGE, AND THE ASSOCIATE JUSTICES, THE MAIN POINT OF CONTENTION, WAS WHETHER THE LEGISLATURE HAD THE AUTHORITY TO EXPEL A SENATOR.

THE LEGISLATURE´S ATTORNEY, JOSEPH PARLATO, ARGUED THAT THE POWER OF EXPULSION IS AN INHERENT POWER OF THE LEGISLATURE.

BUT, PAYNE´S ATTORNEY JUSTIN MOHR ARGUED THAT THE BODIES EXPULSION OF PAIN, WENT BEYOND ITS POWER AND SAID THAT THE ONLY WAY OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE WAS A RECALL.

>> A RECALL IS APPROPRIATE, AND IT IS VERY APPROPRIATE.

>> ARE USING AT THE LEGISLATURE TO EXPEL SOMEONE?

>> THAT IS CORRECT YOUR HONOR, BECAUSE IT IS AN ENUMERATED RIGHT, GIVEN TO THE MEMBERS OF EACH HOUSE OF CONGRESS.

IT IS NOT AN ENUMERATED RIGHT, GIVEN TO THE LEGISLATURE.

>> YOU CANNOT HAVE AN ORGANIZATION OF MEN, AND A COUNSEL A LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY THAT HAS HIS HANDS TIED, THAT CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE MISCONDUCT.

>> AND A 20 PAGE OPINION ON MARCH 22nd, THE SUPREME COURT GRANTED THE LEGISLATURE´S MOTION TO DISMISS THE LAWSUIT IN ITS ENTIRETY WITH PREJUDICE, MEANING IT CANNOT BE REFILED.

DESPITE THE LEGISLATURES WIN IN THE SUPREME COURT.

AND FRANCIS JUNIOR NOTED THAT A LOT OF THE PEOPLE´S MONEY HAS GONE TOWARDS DEFENDING THE LEGISLATURE.

AND HE POINTED OUT THE ONGOING LAWSUIT FILED IN THE FORMER STAFFER, STEMMING FROM SEXUAL HARASSMENT CLAIMS AS WELL AS A COMPLAINT MADE BY THE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION.

>> THIS IS ABOUT A STEP IN THE PROCEDURES, BASED ON A SUPREME COURT DECISION, WE STILL HAVE SOME ONGOING LETTERS THAT WE WILL HAVE TO CONTEND WITH AND WE WILL BE FACING A LAWSUIT, FROM THE COMPLAINT, AS WELL AS EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COMPLAINING THEMSELVES THAT WE WILL BE AS WELL.

MY HOPES IS THAT, WE DON´T HAVE TO FIND OURSELVES IN THIS TYPE OF SITUATION AGAIN, AND, YOU KNOW, THIS OPINION WILL BE AVAILABLE AGAIN, FOR FUTURE USE IF NECESSARY.

>> AS WE SPEAK, LIBERTY HAS NO CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES IN OUR TERRITORY.

RUSS TREATED WITH LIBERTY´S PERSISTENCE SERVICE ISSUES, LAWMAKERS RECENTLY TOOK ACTION TO INVOLVE THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION.

DURING A LEGISLATIVE SESSION ON MARCH 26th, SENATOR PASSED A RESOLUTION, THAT DIRECTLY PUBLIC SERVICES COMMISSION TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE FCC AGAINST LIBERTY MOBILE, AND LIBERTY MOBILE PUERTO RICO, AND LIBERTY LATIN AMERICA ON BEHALF OF THE TERRITORY OF CITIZENS.

WE ARE STUCK BETWEEN, A PROVERBIAL ROCK AND A HARD PLACE, WHEN IT COMES TO DEALING WITH THE MATTERS OF LIBERTY, AND RELYING ON THE SERVICE FOR CONNECTIVITY.

AND, LIBERTY, AND LATIN AMERICA, FOR THE SUBSIDIES, HAVE WHAT IS FAST BECOMING DANGEROUS.

AND THE DANGEROUS UNREGULATED INDUSTRY IN THE TERRITORY.

>> WITH THEM TO FOLLOW A STRING OF COMPLAINTS, RELEASED BY THE PUBLIC SERVICES COMMISSION, REGARDING LIBERTY SERVICES.

>> PROBABLY HAD COMPLAINTS FROM CUSTOMERS REGARDING INCOMING AND OUTGOING CALLS, AND TEXT MESSAGES, AND DELAYING TEXT MESSAGES, ISSUES WITH GROUP TEXTING, AND DROPPED CALLS.

AND FOR COVERAGE AND IN CERTAIN AREAS, AND A NUMBER OF PORTABILITY ISSUES, CUSTOMER BILLING ISSUES AND THE QUALITY OF SERVICE ISSUES.

>> IN A HEATED MEETING BEFORE THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING TRANSPORTATION AND TELECOMMUNICATION, IN JANUARY, LAWMAKERS DEMANDED ANSWERS FROM ED REGARDING THE SERVICE DISRUPTIONS.

>> THE INVENTION OF CELL PHONES, TO TODAY, THIS IS THE WORST SERVICE EVER EXPERIENCED IN THIS TERRITORY.

SINCE LIBERTY TOOK OVER.

IT IS THE ONE SERVICE THAT THE PEOPLE OF THIS TERRITORY HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED.

>> THERE ISN´T A DAY, THAT MY PHONE DOES NOT GO ON SOS BETWEEN, I WOULD SAY AT 8:00 AND 9:00 IN THE MORNING, IT IS EVERY SINGLE DAY, >> WE LEAVE HERE, WHAT IS GOING TO BE FOUND.

THAT IS WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR.

>> WE RECOGNIZE THE CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE HAD AGAINST THE MIGRATION.

>> IT COULD BE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS TO THE TRANSITION FROM AT&T TO LIBERTY VI INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> THIS PROCESS HAS BEEN GONE ONGOING FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND WE EXPECT TO HAVE IT COMPLETED IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

>> WE HAVE MIGRATED APPROXIMATELY 40,000 --47,000 CUSTOMERS AND THE MIGRATION PROCESS, HAS HAD ITS CHALLENGES.

>> AND IN WRITTEN TESTIMONY TO THE LEGISLATURE IN JANUARY, HE SAYS HE EXPECTED THE MIGRATION TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF MARCH, AND DURING THE MARCH 25 LEGISLATIVE SESSION, SENATOR, FRANCIS HIGHLANDER SAID, SHE WAS HOLDING THE LIBERTY OFFICIALS TO THE MARGIN DEADLINE.

>> I AM ONE OF THOSE SENATORS THAT HAD CHOSEN TO WAIT UNTIL MARCH 31st.

TO SEE WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN, BECAUSE APRIL FOOLS´ DAY.

IF MY PHONE IS NOT WORKING ACCORDING TO WHAT THEY SAID IT IS GOING TO BE WORKING.

AND, THIS BILL IS NICE, BUT >> DURING THE MARCH 25th SENATE SESSION, LAWMAKERS ALSO VOTED TO FORWARD TO THE COMMITTEE, THE JURISDICTION OF A RESOLUTION PETITIONING CONGRESS, TO REVISE THE ORGANIC ACTS, TO AUTHORIZE RESIDENTS TO ELECT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> THAT WAS SPONSORED BY MYSELF, SO THAT WE CAN PETITION CONGRESS, AND WE CAN MAKE AN EFFORT TO HAVE OUR OWN ELECTED ATTORNEY GENERAL´S HERE IN THE TERRITORY.

AND WE HAD SENT IT TO THE COMMITTEE JURISDICTION, AND HOPEFULLY, WHEN WE OFFER INFORMATION AND TESTIMONY.

I THINK IT IS A LONG TIME COMING.

AS WE HAVE SEEN THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES, OVER 40+ STATES HAVE ALREADY DECIDED TO ELECT THEIR ATTORNEY GENERAL AND, WE NOTE NEED TO REDUCE THE POLITICIZATION OF THIS PARTICULAR OFFICE.

AND, IF WE HAVE TO GO TO THE POINT OF ELECTION, THAT IS WHAT I SUPPORT.

>> SENATOR GREGORY EMPHASIZING THE NEED FOR THE MATTER.

>> I´M HAPPY WE SENT IT TO THE COMMITTEE, IT IS A MATTER THAT REQUIRES DISCUSSION, AND IT´S A MATTER I KNOW THAT THERE WAS A REFERENDUM A FEW YEARS AGO, AND 76% OF THE PEOPLE VOTED.

AND TO FOR ELECTED ATTORNEY GENERALS, HOWEVER, I´M NOT CERTAIN, IF THEY DELVE ANY DEEPER TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THAT WAS AN ELECTION YEAR, AND, SOME RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE TO DO TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO BEST ENSURE, THAT WE ARE DOING THE PEOPLE´S WILL.

ACCORDING TO THE ELECTION SYSTEMS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, A QUESTION ASKING WHETHER THEY ARE IN FAVOR OF A OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL´S, WHICH WAS INCLUDED ON THE BALANCE, DURING THE GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION YEAR OF 1998.

76% OF RESPONDENTS TOOK THE OPINION POLL, VOTED IN FAVOR OF ELECTED ATTORNEY GENERAL.

WHILE IN THE SAME TIME, 71% OF RESPONDENTS VOTED YES.

>> WE SPOKE TO FORMER ELECTION SUPERVISOR JOHN ABRAMSON, WHO SET LAWMAKERS PASSED A BILL, TO PLACE ON THE 1998 BELLA, A REFERENDUM ASKING IF THEY WERE IN FAVOR OF AN ELECTED ATTORNEY.

BUT THE BILL, LIKE SPECIFIC CRITERIA, FOR A REFERENDUM.

AND SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS AT THE TIME, THEY DECIDED TO PUT IT ON THE 1998 BALLOT, AS AN OPINION POLL, INSTEAD OF A REFERENDUM.

AND TO GAUGE PUBLIC OPINION, EMPHASIZING THAT THE REFERENDUMS REQUIRE SET THRESHOLDS FOR THINGS THAT MUST BE BINDING, AND OPINION POLLS ARE NONBINDING.

JOINING THE ONSET NOW, TO BREAK EVERYTHING DOWN HIS ATTORNEY ADRIAN DUDLEY THE FOUNDING PARTNER OF DUDLEY RICH LLP AND ALSO JOINT BY TERRENCE THOMAS.

AND ISSUES ON WSTA 1340 AM, IT IS GREAT TO HAVE YOU BOTH HERE AND JOINING THE PANEL FROM OUR COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS, WELCOME BACK TO THE SHOW.

AND LET´S START AS THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZER, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE INCREASES?

>> IN MY OPINION, I THINK IT IS SOCIALIZED TO RAISE THE BIKE THEIRS, AND I DO UNDERSTAND, THAT IT WILL GIVE OR TAKE THREE YEARS BEFORE THE RACE WE PUT IN PLACE, HOWEVER THAT IS NOT UNPRECEDENTED IN TERMS OF THAT.

SO, TO BE ABLE TO HAVE SUCH AN INCREASE, IN SUCH A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.

>> VERY INTERESTING, ATTORNEY DUDLEY, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE RATE INCREASE, YOU ARE THE CONVERSATION BETWEEN SENATOR BLYDEN AND COMMISSIONER GABRIEL.

>> I LIKE THE IDEA AND I THINK IT IS CLEAR, THAT THE COMMUNITY THAT IS SERVED BY IT IS THE MOST DISADVANTAGED OF THE POPULATION, AND THAT WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT THEY ARE ON A FIXED INCOME AT THE SAME TIME.

AND WE WANT OUR BUSES TO BE RELIABLE.

AND WE WANT TO HAVE DRIVERS WERE WELL-PAID AND WELL- QUALIFIED AND WE WANT TO HAVE OUR BUSES INSURED PROPERLY.

SO THAT IF THERE ARE INJURIES.

THERE CAN BE ADEQUATE COMPENSATION.

>> SHARE WITH US YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THE PROPOSED INCREASES.

>> I UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR THEM TO WANT THE INCREASE.

BECAUSE AS A COMMISSIONER SAYING A LOT OF THE MAINTENANCE HAVE GONE UP TREMENDOUSLY.

LIKE ATTORNEY DUDLEY SAID, WE NEED TO WORK ON BASED ON WHO THEIR RIDERSHIP IS.

AND, THERE ARE CHALLENGES THAT THE BUS SYSTEM FACES, SUCH AS CONSISTENCY, AND SCHEDULING AND MAKING SURE THEIR ARRIVAL.

AND, COMMISSIONER GABRIEL AND SENATOR BLYDEN, OFFERING UP SOME SUGGESTIONS OF HAVING BUSES RUN WITHIN A CERTAIN AREA, AND, INSTEAD OF WAITING FOR THIS LONG TRIP FROM TOWN.

AND SO, THEY ARE CHANGING THE AMOUNT ON THE INCREASE, OVER YEAR TO YEAR.

INSTEAD OF JUST WONDERFUL SWOOP.

>> DONNA, THE SUPREME COURT MISSED DISMISSED THE LAWSUIT AGAINST THE LEGISLATURE AND THE FIRST QUESTION IS GOING TO COME TO YOU, ATTORNEY DUDLEY, BECAUSE THIS IS RIGHT IN YOUR BALLPARK.

AND THE MOTION TO DISMISS ASSERTED THAT THE THREE SEPARATE POSITIONS OF THE REVISED ACT OF 1954, AND THE LAWSUIT.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE DECISION OF THE COURT?

>> WELL, I THINK THE COURT WAS RIGHT.

FIRST OF ALL, THE LEGISLATURE HAS INHERENT POWER.

AND, WITH QUALIFICATIONS, AND THE CHARACTER.

SO, AS A RESULT, THEY HAVE THE POWER TO DISAPPOINT ITS MEMBERS, AND THEREFORE EXPEL ITS MEMBERS.

AND I DON´T THINK, IT IS UP TO, I THINK IT WILL BE A VIOLATION OF SEPARATION OF POWERS, FOR THE JUDGES TO INJECT THEMSELVES INTO THE INNER PROCESSES OF THE LEGISLATURE.

THIS IS AN INNER PROCESS OF THE LEGISLATURE AND I THINK THE PENALTY WAS EXTREME, BUT THE CONDUCT ALLEGED WAS EXTREME.

>> YOU KNOW, I HAVE READ THE PORTION OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ORGANIC ACT OF 1934, THAT, THE ATTORNEY TRUSTED THE MORE WITH MAKING, AND IT WAS VERY INTERESTING, BECAUSE THE ONLY METHOD OF REMOVAL MENTIONED AND I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE, THAT IT IS BY RECALL, RECALL CAN BE INITIATED BY ACTUALLY TWO THIRDS OF THE LEGISLATURE.

SO THAT WOULD MEAN 10 MEMBERS WOULD HAVE TO VOTE ON RECALL, AND THEN A SPECIAL RECALL ELECTION WOULD HAVE TO BE HELD.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE INTERPRETATION OF THAT AND WHY THAT ARGUMENT DID NOT FLY WITH THE SUPREME COURT.

>> I THINK ONCE AGAIN, THAT ARGUMENT WOULDN´T FLY WITH THE INHERENT POWER OF THE LEGISLATURE, COMPARED TO THE QUALIFICATIONS OF ITS MEMBERS.

AND, THE QUALIFICATIONS OF ITS MEMBERS ARE IN SOME WAY MISSING.

OR, DISALLOWED, AND I THINK, MAY HAVE THE RIGHTS WITHIN THAT WITHIN THE RIGHT OF THE LEGISLATURE, WOULD MEAN THE POWERS OF DISCIPLINE, TO EJECT A MEMBER.

>> AND BEFORE THIS CASE, WHAT DID YOU THINK THE OUTCOME WOULD BE, AND ARE YOU SURPRISED, OR EXPECTED THE RESPONSE OF THE SUPREME COURT?

>> I´M SURPRISED, IF YOU LOOK AT THE PRESIDENT, GOING BACK TO THE CASE, INVOLVED WITH THE FORMER SENATOR AT THE TIME.

AND IF I RECALL, HE WAS PROBABLY THE FIRST PERSON ON THE LEGISLATURE THAT TOOK THE ACTION AWAY, TO EXPEL FROM THE BODY, BECAUSE WE HAD ANOTHER JURISDICTION.

AND NOT TOO LONG AGO, WE HAD ANOTHER CASE INVOLVING SENATOR ELECT, KEVIN RODRIGUEZ.

WHERE, THEY HAD A HEARING ON THE LEGISLATURE, AND A SIMILAR FATE WAS MADE WHERE THEY REFUSED TO SIT HIM AS A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATURE.

SO THE LEGISLATURE AS A COEQUAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DETERMINE WHO AND HOW THE MEMBERSHIP IS MADE UP ONCE THEY ADOPT THE RULES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

I´M NOT SURPRISED THE SUPREME COURT DECIDED TO GIVE THE LEGISLATURE, THEY ARE ALLOWED TO, AND NOT STEPPING IN TO MUDDY THE WATERS.

>>, SAW SENATE PRESIDENT NOBEL PRESIDENT, HE THOUGHT THE LEGISLATURE WAS VINDICATED IN THEIR DECISION.

BUT I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY ARE ASKING HOW MUCH DO THIS ALL COST, AND WHY ARE WE DOING IT, AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CUT AND DRY, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT THIS LED TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SUPREME COURT?

>> I THINK IT IS GOOD, AND FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, AND HAVING THE LEGISLATURE A CORRECT PROTOCOL.

AND IT SHOWS, THAT AND IT WAS EQUALLY.

SO I AM DEFINITELY ONE TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT A MONETARY COMPENSATION IN TERMS OF HOW MUCH THE TAXPAYERS WILL BE DEALING WITH BUT DEFINITELY, EVERYBODY WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO BE VINDICATED IN THIS SPACE.

>> LET ME ASK YOU ANOTHER QUESTION, THERE IS STILL ANOTHER LAWSUIT PENDING BY THE STAFFER THAT ACCUSED SENATOR PAYNE OF A SEXUAL HARASSMENT ATTORNEY.

THAT IS PENDING, DO YOU THINK THAT THE OUTCOME OF THE SUPREME COURT´S DECISION HERE HAS ANY BEARING ON THAT CASE AT ALL.

AND I KNOW IT IS A TYPICAL EMPLOYEE AND EMPLOYER, ALLEGATIONS BEING MADE HERE, ABOUT SEXUAL HARASSMENT.

BUT DO YOU THINK IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM, WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND WHAT THE SUPREME COURT RATHER HAS DECIDED, IT WILL HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE UPCOMING CASE, THAT THE LEGISLATURE NOW HAS TO AGAIN, GO TO COURT OVER THIS LAWSUIT, MADE BY THE FORMER EMPLOYEE.

>> WELL, ONE LAWSUIT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE OTHER, ONE LAWSUIT IS BROUGHT BY THE INDIVIDUAL AGAINST THE SENATOR, IN A LEGISLATIVE BODY, FOR ALLOWING THEM TO DO WHAT HAPPENED.

ON THE OTHER HAND, THE SUPREME COURT HAS ALREADY HELD THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS THE POWER TO INHERENTLY DISCIPLINE ITS MEMBERS.

AND BECAUSE HE WAS EXPELLED, THAT IS EVIDENT IN THAT CASE.

THAT WILL BE AGAIN SENATOR PAYNE, BUT EVIDENCE TO BE EXQUISITE ALLEGATIONS, MADE BY THE PLAINTIFF AND TOTALLY UNRELATED TO WHAT HAPPENED IN THE SUPREME COURT.

ADDITIONALLY, AS AN INDIVIDUAL ANY INDIVIDUAL CAN BRING ACTION TO THE LEGISLATURE BECAUSE THE LEGISLATURE ALLOWS ITSELF.

>> EXCELLENT.

LET´S MOVE ON TO THE NEXT TOPIC WHICH IS ONE THAT HAS BEEN HOT ON THE TONGS AND MINDS AND SOULS OF VIRGIN ISLANDERS EVERYWHERE.

WE HAVE THIS NEVER ENDING SITUATION, AND WE HAD HEARD COMMENTS FROM BOTH SENATOR DON GREGORY, AND COME APRIL FOOLS, WITH SENATOR HIGHLANDER ABOUT THIS LEGISLATION TO FILE A COMPLAINT INVOLVING THE FCC, AGAINST LIBERTY AND THE LEVEL OF SERVICE THAT IT HAS COME TO THE TERRITORY.

AND, SINCE YOU ARE IN THE COMMUNICATIONS FIELD, FIRST OF ALL, ARE YOU A LIBERTY CUSTOMER?

>> NO, I AM NOT.

>> YOU ARE WITH THE REST OF US BUT HEARING THE COMMENTS AND FINGERS ON SOCIAL MEDIA, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH LIBERTY AND THE ACTIONS THAT THE LEGISLATURE IS TAKING?

>> I THINK LIBERTY, WHEN THEY ARE ACQUIRING WHAT USED TO BE, THE SERVICE.

THEY GOT INTO A BUSINESS THAT I DON´T KNOW HOW MUCH RESEARCH THEY DID.

RIGHT?

WE HAVE BEEN HAVING A DISCUSSION AMONGST THOSE IN TECHNOLOGY.

AS TO HOW THIS HAPPENED.

SOME PEOPLE WANTED TO BLAME LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND SOME PEOPLE BLAME THE FCC.

WHEN IF YOU LOOK AT IT, THE ONLY THING THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR, IS ISSUING A BUSINESS LICENSE TO LIBERTY.

RIGHT?

BECAUSE OF THE COMMUNICATIONS SIDE OF IT IS TOTALLY REGULATED ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL WITH THE FCC.

SO I FIND MYSELF ASKING THE QUESTION, WHAT KIND OF DUE DILIGENCE DID THE FCC DO, WITH ALLOWING THIS COMPANY IN LATIN AMERICA, TO ENTER INTO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS MARKET AND PROVIDE CELL PHONE SERVICE FOR A COMPANY THAT IS INTERNATIONALLY WELL-KNOWN AND IN MANY REGARDS WELL-RESPECTED.

I HAVE HAD FRIENDS AND FAMILY TRAVELED TO THE MAINLAND, RUNNING INTO A PROBLEM WITH THEIR PHONE WITH LIBERTY AND THERE IS NO STORES IN FLORIDA AND, THEY HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THEY GET BACK HOME.

SO, SO PHONES HAVE BECOME THE PRIMARY MODE OF NOT JUST COMMUNICATING BUT ALSO BEING ABLE TO REACH OUT VIA THE INTERNET AND CONDUCT SOMETIMES BUSINESS, AND THEY WILL KEEP OUT OF YOUR CELL PHONE.

AND, THE LEGISLATURE ASKS IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO FILE A COMPLAINT, WHICH I THINK IS THE RIGHT STEP, BECAUSE WE CAN´T DO ANYTHING TO LIBERTY, WHEN IT COMES TO THE COMMUNICATIONS LICENSES.

RIGHT?

>> SO, I DON´T KNOW IF IT IS LIBERTY, AND FEEL THE PRESS RELEASE, WHERE THE DISTRICT MANAGER FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND SAYING THAT THEY MADE ALL OF THE NEWS, STEPS AND IN ALL OF THE STEPS TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM.

BUT THERE ARE STILL ISSUES WITH LIBERTY AS A MATTER OF FACT, WHERE I WORKED, WE HAVE A LIBERTY BUSINESS, AND IT IS GIVING ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH.

I WOULD TAKE THAT.

>> IT IS INTERESTING THAT YOU SAID THAT BECAUSE LIBERTY VIRGIN ISLANDS GENERAL MANAGER RESPONDED ON MARCH 27th TO THE LEGISLATURE´S DIRECTIVE TO THE PUBLIC SERVICES COMMISSION, TO FILE AN FCC COMPLAINT TO STRESS THAT LIBERTY HAD BEEN RESPONSIVE TO ALL MATTERS PRESENTED BY THEM, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO ADDRESS ANY CONCERNS FROM THE SENATE AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC AND HERE IS MORE ON THAT.

>> AS WE HAVE DONE THE PAST, WE WILL CONTINUE TO ADDRESS ANY OF THE CONCERNS THAT THE SENATORS OR THE PFC OR ANY OF OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE HAD.

WE HAVE ADDRESSED IT IN SEVERAL MEDIANS.

AND OUR TECHNICAL TEAM WILL BE WORKING.

WITH THE PROCESSES AND WHERE WE SAW REDUCTIONS, AND, THE AMOUNT TO FOLLOW WHEN CUSTOMERS WERE BEING MIGRATED.

AND, WE HAVE ALSO ESTABLISHED THE FAST LANES, FOR SENIOR CITIZENS WITH THE SAME WORKERS, AND ELECTED OFFICIALS.

AND BUSINESS CUSTOMERS.

THEY ARE WITH ISSUES, WITH THE DOORS, AND WE WOULD REMAIN COMMITTED, TO INCLUDE THE SERVICES HERE IN THE U.S. VI.

WE HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS HERE, TO IMPROVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE SERVICES THAT WE OFFER.

>> MR. LYNCH, I´M COMING TO YOU, LET ME ASK, DO YOU THINK THAT THERE WILL BE ANY MEANINGFUL IMPROVEMENT IN SERVICE, GIVEN THIS ACTION BEING TAKEN BY THE LEGISLATURE, ASKING THE PFC, TO FILE AN FCC COMPLAINT ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE?

>> I´M HOPEFUL THAT THEY WILL INCREASE THE BETTER SERVICE FOR THE COMMUNITY, FOR MAKING SUCH A MOVE.

AND, IN TERMS OF LIBERTY AND THE JUSTIFICATION KIND OF VIEWED HOW WE ARE EXPERIENCING CHALLENGES, AND BETWEEN EXPENSING A CHALLENGE, AND, PAYING FOR OUR SERVICE, SO, WHAT RECOURSE DO WE HAVE, EXCEPT FOR THE LEGISLATION COMING IN AND HOLDING THEIR HANDS TO THE FIRE, WITHOUT PRODUCTIVE LAST MONTH, ON THE ISLAND.

SO, THEY HAD NO CELL PHONE SERVICE, AND HAD NO WAY OF READING THEM.

AND, THAT IS VERY SCARY FOR ME, KNOWING THAT YOU CAN´T REACH OUT TO YOUR LOVED ONES.

AND, THEY HAVE TO HAVE AN ADDITIONAL CELL PHONE, AND JUST TOOK THE REASONING BEHIND, JUST BASIC CHALLENGES.

AND THEY HAVE TO BE BETTER GIVING THE MONEY FOR THE CELL PHONE SERVICES HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> ATTORNEY DUDLEY, THE SITUATION THAT THEY MENTIONED IS ONE THAT I WAS GOING TO BRING UP WITH YOU, IS THERE ANY POSSIBLE LEGAL LIABILITY FOR INSTANCE IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY AND SOMEONE CANNOT REACH THE EMERGENCY SERVICES, OR CANNOT REACH A FAMILY MEMBER.

I THINK ABOUT THE SCENARIOS, AND THE SECOND POP-UP WHERE NOT HAVING COMMUNICATION IN THIS DAY AND AGE CAN ACTUALLY BE DETRIMENTAL.

>> I HONESTLY CAN´T ANSWER THAT AT ALL.

ALL I CAN TELL YOU IS THAT THE PFC HAS NO JURISDICTION OVER CELL PHONE SERVICE, ALTHOUGH, THEY ARE ILLOGICAL ENEMY FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO DIRECT.

AND THE FCC CAN TAKE A VARIETY OF ACTIONS.

AND I´M NOT SURE WHAT EFFECT THAT THEY WILL HAVE, I CAN TELL YOU, IN HONOR OF HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN DO THIS, I HAVE INSTALLED THE LANDLINE OF MY HOUSE, BECAUSE I´VE HAD THESE VERY SAME PROBLEMS, AND MEDICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE TIME TO TALK WITH MY CLIENTS.

>> THAT IS INTERESTING, RECENTLY, THE VIRGIN ISLANDS LEGISLATURE, ON THE 25th OF MARCH, TO THE COMMITTEE OF JURISDICTION AND RESOLUTION, PETITIONING CONGRESS TO AMEND THE REVISED ORGANIC ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TO ELECT AN ATTORNEY GENERAL.

NOW, WE HAVE AN ATTORNEY ON THE BATTLE.

I´M COMING TO YOU WITH THIS FIRST.

CITIZENS WERE ASKED THIS QUESTION BACK IN 1998 AND OVERWHELMINGLY IN AN OPINION POLL, THEY AGREED, THAT I WAS TIME FOR US TO ELECT AN ATTORNEY GENERAL.

I´M CURIOUS TO HEAR WHAT YOUR THOUGHTS ON AN ELECTED ATTORNEY GENERAL?

>> THERE ARE TWO SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT.

AND I´M KIND OF DIVIDED.

ON THE ONE HAND, I HATE THE IDEA OF HAVING ANOTHER POLITICAL OFFICE, WHERE SOMEONE CAN RUN WITH A LOT OF GRAY BUT NOT HAVE ANY OTHER QUALIFICATIONS.

AND TO HOLD THAT POSITION, AND WITH THE LEGISLATURE, THAT HAS SAID, WE HAVE ELECTED ATTORNEYS, BUT THEY WILL HAVE SOME CRITERIA, FOR THE INDIVIDUAL THAT CAN FILL THAT ROLE.

AND ON THE OTHER HAND.

THE GOVERNOR SHOULD HAVE CONTROL OF HIS CABINET.

AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS THE KEY PERSON IN THAT CABINET.

YES, THERE HAVE BEEN DISAGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND IN THE PAST, AND THE GOVERNOR HAS MADE A CHANGE.

I THINK THAT THOSE PEOPLE HAVE ELECTED A GOVERNOR, FOR THE ENTIRE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CONSTITUTES PART OF THAT BRANCH.

AND ON THE OTHER HAND, PEOPLE WANT TO ELECT AN ATTORNEY GENERAL BUT THEY NEED TO BE VERY CLEAR, ABOUT WHAT THE QUALIFICATIONS ARE FOR THAT POSITION, BECAUSE IT WOULD BE JUST ANOTHER SENATORIAL CAMPAIGN, AND, WHO KNOWS WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN.

>> INTERESTING PERSPECTIVE.

ESTHER LYNCH, I´M GOING TO COME TO YOU.

A RECENT EDITORIAL IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DAILY NEWS OUTLINED THE FACT THAT PAST ADMINISTRATIONS WE HAD, CHARLES TURNBUCKLE, THREE ATTORNEY GENERAL´S, AND GO THROUGH FOUR WITH AS LITTLE AS 10 DAYS STATING THAT THEY WEREN´T GOING TO BE THE GOVERNOR´S PUPPET, AND NOW THIS IS THE THIRD ATTORNEY GENERAL APPOINTEE, THAT WE ARE GOING ON FOR THIS ADMINISTRATION.

DO YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ON WHERE THE DISAGREEMENTS MAY COME IN, AND DOESN´T SEEM SUSPICIOUS THAT WE HAVE GOVERNORS GOING THROUGH ATTORNEY GENERAL´S LIKE THIS?

>> SOME MAY BE OF THE OPINION, THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHOULD REALLY BE INDEPENDENT OF POLITICS, AND INDEPENDENT OF WHAT THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS MAY OR MAY NOT FEEL ABOUT A PARTICULAR MATTER.

>> I DO THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO SEPARATE THE ROLES BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO BE CONTINUOUSLY RUNNING TO A CONSTABLE OPINION, AND THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN THE PAST, ON A GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN.

THAT THEY DON´T HOLD ONE AND THEN WE WILL REACH AN IMPASSE.

YOU KNOW BUT WITH THAT BEING SAID, IT IS INSTRUMENTAL TO HAVE SOME TYPE OF CRITERIA AND QUALIFICATIONS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED, BECAUSE YOU DON´T WANT TO BASE IT ON WHO CAN HOLD THE BEST RIDE?

WE DON´T WANT THAT AT ALL.

WE WANT SOMEONE THAT CAN ACTUALLY SPEAK IN TERMS OF WHAT THEY PRODUCE.

IN TERMS OF BEING OUR RESPONSE OF SOCIAL CITIZENS, AND SPEAK IN REGARDS TO WHAT IS BEST FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

I WOULD APPLY IT IF IT DOES COME UP AS AN ELECTORAL PROBLEM.

>> THE POLITICS THAT THE SENATOR WHO PROPOSED THIS LEGISLATION REFERRED TO, AND WHAT THEY REFERRED TO, THERE WILL BE NO FEWER MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE, OR THE GOVERNOR´S EXECUTIVE BRANCH, WHO WILL BE ANY LESS POLITICAL AND IN THIS OFFICE IT WOULD BE PERHAPS EVEN MORE POLITICAL.

SO WHAT YOU´RE TRYING TO DO IS TRYING TO ELIMINATE POLITICS FROM THE POSITION OF ATTORNEY GENERAL, DON´T ELECT AN ATTORNEY GENERAL.

>> THAT´S INTERESTING BECAUSE RECENTLY, THE SAME EDITORIAL THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DAILY NEWS MENTIONED THAT 45 STATES IN THE UNION HAVE ISOLATED THE SELECTION FROM THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, AND OF THOSE 45, THERE ARE TWO STATES, ONE IS APPOINTED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL APPOINTED BY THE SUPREME COURT AND THE OTHER BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

SO, 43 STATES IN THE UNION, CURRENTLY ELECT ATTORNEY GENERAL´S, IT WOULD ALMOST SEEM THAT THAT IS THE WAY TO GO.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?

>> JUST BECAUSE ALL OF THOSE STATES DO IT, THEIR COMMUNITIES ARE VERY MUCH UNLIKE OUR SMALL AND INSULAR COMMUNITY, FROM WHICH THERE ARE VERY FEW CANDIDATES TO SELECT FOR POSITIONS SUCH AS THIS.

AND, I THINK, IF YOU HAD ASKED MEMBERS OF THE BAR, IF THEY WERE WILLING TO SERVE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, I CERTAINLY DOUBT, YOU WOULD FIND MANY OF THEM WILLING TO TAKE THE JOB BECAUSE WE HAVE MEMBERS WERE WILLING TO BE JUDGES FOR EXAMPLE.

SO, I THINK, JUST THE FACT THAT OTHER STATES ELECTED ATTORNEY GENERAL´S OR THERE ARE OTHER METHODS TO ELECT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, SUCH AS JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS FOR EXAMPLE.

AND I THINK THE SELECTION OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND I THINK GIVEN THE SIZE AND THE CONTOURS, POLITICALLY SPEAKING IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND I THINK THE OFFICE SHOULD REUSE THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, BUT IF THE PEOPLE WANT AN ELECTED ATTORNEY GENERAL, THEN THERE WILL BE A PRICE TO PAY.

>> VERY INTERESTING, MR. THOMAS I´M SERIOUS TO HEAR YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THE TOPIC.

>> WILL PEOPLE SAY SIX TO 1, SO TAKING THAT INTO CONSIDERATION, I UNDERSTAND WHAT THE LEGISLATURE IS TRYING TO DO.

ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST YEAR OR SO.

WITH THE MOST RECENT ATTORNEY GENERAL´S BEING ON THE JOB.

LESS THAN NINE MONTHS I THINK IT IS.

RIGHT, BUT LIKE YOU SAID, 43 STATES OUT OF THE 50, WHERE THE ATTORNEYS GENERAL RUN FOR OFFICE.

AND, THEREBY MAKING THEM A POLITICIAN.

AND AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE MOST RECENT DISCUSSION INVOLVING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WAS FANNY WILLIS IN THE CITY OF ATLANTA.

I WAS READING ON MY WAY OVER HERE.

THAT SOMEBODY IS GOING TO BE CHALLENGING HER, FOR THAT POSITION, BECAUSE SHE IS UP FOR RE-ELECTION.

AND, DO WE WANT SOMEONE WHO IS SUPPOSED TO BE REPRESENTING PEOPLE THAT IS WHAT I´M DOING, TO REMEMBER AND ATTORNEY GENERAL IS THE PEOPLE´S REPRESENTATIVE, NOT THE GOVERNOR´S ATTORNEY.

RIGHT?

AND PEOPLE SO, WE WANT SOMEONE TO BE POLITICKING ON BEING THE PEOPLE´S REPRESENTATIVE, OR DO WE WANT SOMEONE THAT A GOVERNMENT DESIGNATES AS THE PEOPLE´S ATTORNEY, AND GIVES HIM OR HER LATITUDE AND FREEDOM TO MAKE CERTAIN DECISIONS.

AND, ALONG WHAT HAPPENED AND THE WATER COOLER.

BUT, I THINK, WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL.

AND DUDLEY THAT IS IN THAT ARENA.

AND MEMBERS OF THE BAR, YES, AND YOU HAVE TO TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION, UNLIKE A LARGE SEEM, HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ATTORNEYS, AND, THEY ARE GOVERNED BY SENATORS AND GOVERNED BY A SET OF RULES THAT ARE PROPAGATED ACROSS THE BOARD FEDERALLY.

THE BAR, THERE ARE ETHICS, AND A WHOLE SET OF DIFFERENT RULES, THAT THEY HAVE TWO MASTER IN ORDER TO JUST THE AN ATTORNEY.

SO AT THE END OF THE DAY, IF THE PEOPLE DEEM IT NECESSARY.

I FIND IT HARD TO MAKE A DECISION ON IT, BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE RUMORS YOU HAVE HEARD OVER THE DECADES OF ATTORNEY GENERAL´S.

>> REALLY QUICKLY, I KNOW THAT I WOULD LIKE TO GO FURTHER BUT I AM BEING TOLD THAT WE HAVE ONE MORE TOPIC THAT WE HAVE TO COVER.

SO DURING THE SENATE FINANCE HEARING ON MARCH 19th, THE TAXICAB COMMISSION FOUGHT FOR APPROVAL FOR A BUDGET EXCEEDING $1.5 MILLION AMY TO TRANSITION TO AN ELECTRONIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, BUT SENATORS EXPRESSED DEEP SKEPTICISM, DUE TO UNCLEAR FINANCIAL RECORDS, DYSFUNCTIONAL OPERATIONS AND UNRESOLVED ISSUES, LEADING TO CALLS FOR AN EXPECTED GENERAL AUDIT, AND DISCUSSION ABOUT POTENTIAL DEFUNDING, LET´S TAKE A LOOK.

>> TODAY, WE WILL HEAR TESTIMONY ON THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TAXICAB COMMISSION.

>> I´M HERE TODAY TO SUPPORT THE TAXICAB COMMISSIONS FOR POST BUDGET FOR 2024.

THE COMMISSION´S BUDGET RECOMMENDATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 IS 1,000,506 AND MY GOAL IS TO FULLY AUTOMATE INTERNAL FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A WEB-BASED SOLUTION.

>> AND ALL THE REVENUES CONNECTED BY THE ISLAND, WE HAVE 23,000 FOUR ST. CROIX, AND NOTHING FOR ST. JOHN´S.

>> I ASKED THE COLLECTIONS CLERK TO ASSIST ME, AND SHE REFUSED AND SHE NOT ONLY REFUSED, BUT SHE LEFT AND WENT HOME FOR THE DAY.

FEELING SICK.

>> SO, WE HAVE THE SECOND QUARTER AND BECAUSE YOU ARE COMING BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE, YOU´RE ASKING YOUR EMPLOYEES FOR THE INFORMATION AS IT RELATES TO THE COLLECTIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR.

THAT IS INFORMATION THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE.

>> HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN ON THE BOARD?

>> APRIL OR MAY, IN TWO YEARS.

>> AND HERE WE ARE AT THIS TIME AND DATE WITH THESE TYPE OF CHALLENGES.

>> YOU ASKED US AT ONE POINT, AND YOU DON´T HAVE THE COLLECTIONS DATA, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU SHOULD BE MANAGING.

>> WITH THIS BUDGET SENT TO YOUR BOARD, AND THEY APPROVE IT?

>> NO, IT WAS NOT APPROVED.

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SIMPLE INTERNET, INTERNET, BIOLOGY THIS PLANT.

AND IF YOU´RE TELLING ME THAT YOU CAN´T DO THAT WITHIN TWO YEARS, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, YOU DON´T NEED TO BE HERE.

>> IT IS CLEAR TO ME IF NOBODY ELSE GOT INTO THIS TAXICAB COMMISSIONS NEED AN INSPECTOR GENERAL ADDED.

>> IT WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING ANY, NOT A PENNY TO THE TAXICAB COMMISSION.

UNTIL WE ADDRESS THIS ONCE AND FOR ALL.

>> REAL QUICKLY, GIVEN WHAT YOU JUST SAW.

WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON WHAT HAPPENED IN THAT HEARING?

>> IT SEEMS LIKE THE TAXICAB COMMISSION AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE ARE NOT IN PLACE.

WE NEED TO FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING ON AND APPLY THE ANSWER FOR US.

WE JUST CAN´T BE WITH THE RAISE OF $1.5 MILLION.

AND YOU DON´T KNOW WHERE THAT IS GOING.

THAT IS UNHEARD OF FOR ME.

THAT CAN´T HAPPEN.

NO WAY NO HOW.

AND, YOU WENT BEFORE THE DECISION.

AND INFORMATION TO READ ANYTHING ABOUT THE INCENTIVE OR HAVE ANY EDUCATED IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU ARE DOING.

WITH THE MONEY AND SO A COMPLETE INVESTIGATION NEEDS TO BE DONE.

>> I´M GOING TO COME TO YOU, OUR JAWS DROPPED AT THE SAME TIME WHEN WE SAW THAT CLIP.

I MEAN, AN EMPLOYEE GOING HOME WHEN YOU ASKED FOR INFORMATION FOR THE REST OF THE DAY.

I MEAN, LEGALLY, HOW DID THIS SMELL TO YOU?

WHAT IS THE LEGAL SMELL TEST?

>> THE SMELL TEST IS THAT THE PERSON OUGHT TO BE FIRED AND TOLD NOT TO COME BACK.

WHAT IS SHOCKING IS THAT THE TAXI INDUSTRY THE TAXICAB COMMISSION ARE VIRTUALLY UNREGULATED.

AND ALL WE HAVE ARE TOURIST COMPLAINTS ABOUT TAXICABS.

AND IT IS ABOUT THE DRIVERS AND AFFAIRS AND SO FORTH.

THERE IS A GOOD AND LEGITIMATE ARGUMENT FOR AUTOMATING THE INDUSTRY.

BUT WHEN WE ASK TAXICAB DRIVERS TO TAKE REGARDS, THEY ALL WHOLEHEARTEDLY REFUSE.

AND, THE LEGISLATURE SAID OKAY FINE, YOU DON´T HAVE TO.

AND, THE LEGISLATURE HAS TO BE READY TO AUTOMATE THE TAXICAB INDUSTRY.

NOT JUST THE TAXICAB COMMISSION, THE TAXICAB COMMISSION CAN BE AUTOMATED, BUT THAT WON´T BE TO HELP THE TAXICAB INDUSTRY, AND THAT IS WHAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

I ALSO AGREE WITH MR. LYNCH, I ADOPT ALL OF HIS COMMENTS INCLUDING THE COMMENT FROM THE SENATOR ABOUT HAVING AN INSPECTOR.

IF NOBODY CAN PRODUCE THE REVENUE, FROM THE TAXICAB COMMISSION, AND SOMEBODY NEEDS TO GO IN THERE AND FIND OUT WHY.

>> WE KNOW WHAT THEY DO, AND WHAT MR. LYNCH JUST DREW IN THIS INDUSTRY, IT HAS RUN AMOK.

IT IS A TIME FOR REFORM AT A TIME TO RESTRUCTURE.

>> WHEN I SEE SITUATIONS LIKE THIS, WE HAVE A UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERS, AND THEY HAVE AN ADVANCED DEGREE PROGRAM.

AND TO ME, IT IS TIME TO BRING THOSE STUDENTS IN THE PROGRAM AND, TO OUR TOP-DOWN ANALYSIS AS TO WHAT THE CAUSES ARE AND HOW WE CAN RESOLVE THEM.

AS A MANAGER, WHAT I´M HEARING FROM THE TESTIMONY IS THAT YOU HAVE A SHIP WITHOUT A CAPTAIN ESSENTIALLY.

AND I KNOW THAT THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE TAXICAB COMMISSION, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO HER.

I THINK SHE IS WAY IN OVER HER HEAD, BECAUSE NO PLACE ELSE I KNOW, WITH AN EMPLOYEE TO BE ASKED TO PROVIDE SOMETHING AND THE WOMAN SAID I AM SICK.

YES, WHAT ARE THEY SICK FROM?

YOU KNOW?

BUT, THEY COULD´VE DONE TWO THINGS, WHEN YOU HAVE TO DO WITH THE COMMISSION ITSELF.

AND YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE INDUSTRY.

AND, UNTIL YOU FIX THE COMMISSION, AND YOU CAN REALLY FIX THE INDUSTRY.

BECAUSE THE COMMISSION IS THE FORCE OF REGULATORY ARM OF THE GOVERNMENT, THAT OVERSEES WHAT HAPPENS WITH ALL OF THE INDUSTRY.

>> ABSOLUTELY, GREAT SHOW, THANK YOU FOR APPEARING, THAT IS ALL THE SHOW WE HAVE TODAY.

BUT TO NEXT SUNDAY AT 1:00 P.M. FOR AN ALL NEW EPISODE OF "COMES WITH THE TERRITORY".

IN THE MEANTIME, TUNE IN TO WTJX ON WEEKDAYS AT 5:00 P.M. ON 93.1 FM, OR DOWNLOAD THE WTJX APP.

I AM LESLEY COMMISSIONG, FOR ALL HERE AT WTJX CHANNEL 12, TAKE CARE.