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A look ahead for the USVI.
Official: Puerto Rico govt could collapse if no steps taken
and we are worse off than they are... technically.
Posted : January 18, 2017 2:57 am
Topic starter
Analysts Worry USVI Following Puerto Rico's Path
Posted : January 18, 2017 6:04 am
""This time they might move faster because they saw what happened in Puerto Rico," and if there is a "perceived inability to provide basic government services," Clark said. "It is not a bond default but it is a bad situation," he said."
Well, they AREN'T able to provide basic government services...
Posted : January 18, 2017 11:45 am
Let the chips fall where they may.
Posted : January 18, 2017 4:56 pm
Not so sure the new administration in Washington will be so eager to throw millions at this one.
Why should they?
This could surely ruin any re-election plans for Govenor Map.
Posted : January 18, 2017 5:03 pm
Topic starter
Meanwhile, he, his family and cronies shall continue to live high off the hog of VI taxpayers money. "Let the ear cake.!"
Posted : January 18, 2017 5:27 pm
"This could surely ruin any re-election plans for Governor Map."
Not necessarily, all he needs to do is throw a party, give out some t shirts and a plate of food. Remember that's how much of our population votes.
Posted : January 18, 2017 6:30 pm
"This could surely ruin any re-election plans for Governor Map."
Not necessarily, all he needs to do is throw a party, give out some t shirts and a plate of food. Remember that's how much of our population votes.
The politics of "free stuff"!
If he thought on a grander scale he could offer subsidized healthcare insurance or free college.
Posted : January 18, 2017 6:50 pm
The proposed 'sin taxes' will really increase the high cost of living here for residents despite Mapp saying they are on 'non-essential' items that only tourists purchase.
Contact your senators -- taxing alcohol, soft drinks, even cigarettes is certain to affect us all - and combined with the WMA fees coming the COL is destined to rise dramatically.
We may even need more alcohol to help us through the next 4 years!
There is plenty of wasted money in Govt. and cost cutting that can be effective across the board.
Posted : January 18, 2017 8:11 pm
The sin tax will not balance the budget. The budget gap is too large. Taxing alcohol, sugar and smokes will affect sales. Alcohol is already expensive except of local rum and vodka. Beer, wine is more expensive here than in US mainland. I don't think any tourists would purchase wine and beer for export. It is mostly consumed locally and will affect islanders. Cig smoking if not too popular here.
Posted : January 18, 2017 9:03 pm
How about just reducing the size of the govenment
Does the USVI realy need 15 senators and all the expenses that go with them ?
Does the USVI realy need all those agencies and the staff that goest with tyhem ?
How about cutting salaries at the excutive level until the budget is balanced ?
Posted : January 19, 2017 10:34 am
How about encouraging business on a scale that would be meaningful to our economy? If you so called "free market conservatives" would see past your "f**k-you-I-got-mine" attitudes and quit trying to punish the other guy, whoever your biases identify as the other, and wake up to the economic reasoning behind the ideology you espouse, you would realize that commerce is the only practical way to bring in outside dollars and the solvency and prosperity that come with them.
There is a lot to criticize the governor and the legislature for, but on the very top of the list of their faults is their failure to attract and retain businesses on a scale that can supplement our community.
Posted : January 19, 2017 1:01 pm
(tu)
How about just reducing the size of the govenment
Does the USVI realy need 15 senators and all the expenses that go with them ?
Does the USVI realy need all those agencies and the staff that goest with tyhem ?
How about cutting salaries at the excutive level until the budget is balanced ?
Posted : January 19, 2017 1:06 pm
How about cutting salaries at the excutive level until the budget is balanced ?
Our governor is paid 150,000 a year (plus benefits i'm sure).... Population 106,415
$1.41/person
The governor of California is paid 170,000..... Population ~38,800,000
$0.004/person
The governor of Florida is paid 130,000... Population ~20,000,000
$0.006/person
I think our governor should make around 60,000 a year...
Which is still $0.55/person
We should definitely be cutting salaries so they are at least on track with reality.
Posted : January 19, 2017 2:28 pm
How about encouraging business on a scale that would be meaningful to our economy? If you so called "free market conservatives" would see past your "f**k-you-I-got-mine" attitudes and quit trying to punish the other guy, whoever your biases identify as the other, and wake up to the economic reasoning behind the ideology you espouse, you would realize that commerce is the only practical way to bring in outside dollars and the solvency and prosperity that come with them.
There is a lot to criticize the governor and the legislature for, but on the very top of the list of their faults is their failure to attract and retain businesses on a scale that can supplement our community.
You hit the nail in the head. EDC with all its tax breaks is shrinking. Why? I suspect because of corruption and unreal red tape and lack of qualified work force. Also, PR came up with its own tax incentives program.
This knuckle heads that run the island starting at the very top and finishing up at the BMV clearks have to get the message.
Posted : January 19, 2017 4:26 pm
Hospital paychecks were "short" today.
Posted : January 19, 2017 8:23 pm
The only answer is to completely remove every government official and start fresh with ones from the states. Locals have proven time and again that they are corrupt and not up to the challenge.
(tu)
Posted : January 19, 2017 10:04 pm
The only answer is to completely remove every government official and start fresh with ones from the states. Locals have proven time and again that they are corrupt and not up to the challenge.
(tu)
I have been saying this for the past 20 years. When I first moved here I used to write to the Dept of the Interior asking them to stop sending money and instead to send adult supervision.
They never replied. I guess they will be forced to now.
Posted : January 19, 2017 11:11 pm
Topic starter
Calling for Tax Increases, Fitch Downgrades USVI Bonds Again
Not looking good.
Posted : January 20, 2017 8:56 am
Calling for Tax Increases, Fitch Downgrades USVI Bonds Again
Not looking good.
The gov will have some trouble meeting next payroll. Not sure how EBT is funded. If EBT cards don't work we are heading for disturbance.
Posted : January 20, 2017 9:18 am
The only answer is to completely remove every government official and start fresh with ones from the states. Locals have proven time and again that they are corrupt and not up to the challenge.
(tu)
I have been saying this for the past 20 years. When I first moved here I used to write to the Dept of the Interior asking them to stop sending money and instead to send adult supervision.
They never replied. I guess they will be forced to now.
Why do any of you continue to live in a place you loathe, among people you despise?
When I first moved here I was occasionally guilty of thinking similar thoughts but it became clear to me early on that sanctimonious attitudes like these are a big part of why things are the way they are.
Posted : January 20, 2017 11:01 am
What happens when they stop paying the police?
Posted : January 20, 2017 11:40 am
The only answer is to completely remove every government official and start fresh with ones from the states. Locals have proven time and again that they are corrupt and not up to the challenge.
(tu)
I have been saying this for the past 20 years. When I first moved here I used to write to the Dept of the Interior asking them to stop sending money and instead to send adult supervision.
They never replied. I guess they will be forced to now.
Why do any of you continue to live in a place you loathe, among people you despise?
When I first moved here I was occasionally guilty of thinking similar thoughts but it became clear to me early on that sanctimonious attitudes like these are a big part of why things are the way they are.
So what your saying is that you have now lowered your standards and accept the status quo. I live and was born in NY (not NYC) and think our gov't doesn't have a clue, does that make me sanctimonious because I want change and am not willing to accept how my taxes continue to increase (2nd highest taxed state), people are leaving (#1 in the US based on moving company stats. I love my state, love the VI but time to change things up. You have 15 senators for a population of 105,000. That's outrageous. We have towns with more population with 5 on the town board. You have a gov't that has basically monopolized the job market, lowered productivity, continue to add jobs that are not needed, without creating private sector jobs to help support the territory. Unfortunately the islands will fall into fiscal chaos, but it's probably needed. Spending needs to be cut, services need to improve, private enterprise needs to be brought in and create a solid tax base, so you don't have to borrow all the time to support an overstaffed Gov't.
Posted : January 20, 2017 1:51 pm
What happens when they stop paying the police?
What are they doing now to protect us?
What would change if they stopped being paid?
Posted : January 20, 2017 1:51 pm
Unfortunately the islands will fall into fiscal chaos, but it's probably needed. Spending needs to be cut, services need to improve, private enterprise needs to be brought in and create a solid tax base, so you don't have to borrow all the time to support an overstaffed Gov't.
Some chaos is definitely needed. Things must change...and they will once the money runs out.
Posted : January 20, 2017 1:54 pm
