Increase government salaries

It is crazy that for 105k people we have this many senators and are in the top 5 now for pay.  If things got done, I wouldn't even question it.

Posted by: @stcmike

All legislators, executives, attorney and inspector general salaries should remain flat or if they had any sense of duty should take a 5% cut or at least turn in their government vehicles. How many of these officials have members of their family working in their departments. Talk about draining the swamp, lets start locally. 

As I said in another rant, nothing changes in the VI unless it gets worse.

I too think we have way too many senators.  And also think St John is under represented.  As is usually the case, the more people you have trying to come to a decision the harder it is to get to one.  We also need to stop making committees that aren’t funded or can’t find people to sit on them.  It’s just a wad of red tape that couldn’t possible be untangled.  I absolutely cringe when I watch some of the current senators open their mouths.  It’s like they have no comprehension of what is even being testified.  Repeatedly asking the same question but not understanding the answers given.   I don’t understand enough about the government to know how to fix it but if we don’t try something new we will continue to flounder.  

105K people is equivalent of small town in US. Town that gets by on one mayor and part time, unsalaried town council. 

We do not need 15 senators with full time salaries. We could do with 5-8 with part time salaries. It is really a part time job that should be had to successful business, culture, science and political figures with primarily other source of income. 

And let’s not forget the brand new 20,000 sqft, $5,000,000 legislator building on St. Croix.

Posted by: @stcmike

In these days where people are experiencing many fiscal, social and medical problems just the thought of increasing senators salaries from $85k a year to $100k is simply insane.

Totally agree with this sentiment.  Like many folks I’ve spent my career working in the private segment and public companies, so fiscal responsibility is both visible and paramount.  In the private sector, when times are difficult, everyone sacrifices for the good of the many.  It very common that the leadership team accepts a temporary pay cut, I’ve personally lived a half dozen 10% - 20% pay cuts that have lasted from 3 to 12 months.  This is done more for the symbolism than the actual fiscal impact.  The USVI is a fiscal mess, it’s the equivalent of a “turn-around” in the private sector.  In this environment the new CEO comes in, makes an assessment over a few weeks/months and then cleans house.  The house cleaning signals to the remaining staff that there is both new strong leadership and a “get well plan” that will be followed, or further cuts will be made.  The CEO is accountable and doing nothing simply isn’t an option.