Notice for a Protest March Scheduled for Wednesday, February 15, 8:30 am

Looks like a great turnout for this morning's protest and very well organized with many delivery trucks with Cruzan Rum, Presidente and Budweiser beer, Coca-Cola logos to name a few, also participating, driving by the legislature, honking their horns.

Here's a live feed for the legislative session.

https://livestream.com/legittv/events/6826554

The lawyer from St. Thomas is awesome and had some great points. She should run for office.

She ran for Governor in the last gubernatorial race but unfortunately didn't make the primary. She had my vote. She was appointed AG (the first of many) by Mapp but resigned when she realized he would be the puppet master and micromanage the AG office.

Did not know that. She seemed really sharp and definitely has the smarts to help the gov't fix things. But they would all be afraid of her, due to "reform", "honesty", "law-abiding".

Wow, who voted for Brian Smith, his line of questioning would concern me. But all the senators concern me.

They were certainly getting very testy at the idea they should reduce their salaries!

They were certainly getting very testy at the idea they should reduce their salaries!

They sure were. i was listening and watching a little of it at work while working on a project. Funny most want to get this bill passed, but why not attach some budget cuts to it. The senate leader is a smart cookie, after everyone spoke, he came back to some of the citizens and leaders in the community and challenged them on minor things they stated and tried make a fool out of them for talking in his little kingdom there. That attorney would give him a run for his money, oh wait, I don't think he followed up with her statements, probably afraid.

I don't like him and his smug attitude. I only live there PT, but care about what happens here as it shouldn't be put onto the peoples shoulder to keep the gov't running for these fools. Sad to see it. If I was a senator, I would attach this to the bill. For every tax dollar increased, we reduce the budget by the same dollar. Then we only need to raise 1/2 the money. Sounds good to me!

Good job, my St. Thomas peeps!! So glad to see this and SO glad that Soraya was there! I know her personally and she is a good person - intelligent, honest, and from the VI!! She could help this territory SO very much. This definitely shows the GVI that there is discontent in the community - ROCK on, St. Thomas/St. John! Now, where is St. Croix's protest? Are they planning one???

Soraya chose Canegata as her running mate and Kevin Rodriquez as a staff member when she was AG. Google both of them and maybe you will question her ability to pick good people for her team. Her choices lost my confidence in her management abilities.

Business Community Says 'No, No, No' to Sin Tax Proposal!

http://stthomassource.com/content/2017/02/15/business-community-says-no-no-no-to-sin-tax-proposal/

if the community does not want new taxes, what do they want that would make up the millions in deficit?

cutting senators/salaries would not be near enough for what we need.

if the community does not want new taxes, what do they want that would make up the millions in deficit?

cutting senators/salaries would not be near enough for what we need.

Lets start with a massive right sizing of the government employee payroll. I've never seen a government with so many employees doing so little.

i agree with that, senators too. lower their salaries and that of the governor. but we would still have a shortfall

what other ideas are out there?

maybe they really need to legalize marijuana

Can't read the article, only the headline in DN but looks likely that our senators will pass the bill.

Tax hike plan advances in Senate
By SUZANNE CARLSON Daily News Staff 5 hrs ago
ST. THOMAS — Senators in the Finance Committee on Wednesday voted again to approve two taxation bills despite massive public outcry.

Can anyone reading the article elaborate?

Never mind.
Here's the Source article:
http://stthomassource.com/content/2017/02/16/amid-business-opposition-senate-committee-approves-new-revenue-measures/

I HAVE A FEELING THAT A tax hike on liquor and cigarettes is really going to hurt a couple of businesses downtown in a time when they are really struggling.
i hope this does not force the close of them.

When people can't afford to buy something, the majority don't unlike the VI Government.

I want to see the same massive protests demanding they cut theirs and the Governor's office massive spending, reduce their numbers, their salaries, perks and benefits.

They and our Governors, past and present, are the ONLY reason we are in this situation. They created it with their wasteful spending. It's only fair that they, too, pay the price.

You are correct, Alana, but who said life was fair in the VI?

Nothing in life is fair.
However it's damned well accountable, on many levels.
We're obviously not seeing it.

Maybe we can all apply for disability for having wool put over our eyes.

i keep hearing about a black baby doll used in the protest with a noose around its neck to depict the future of the islands.
i tried to read one article but i needed to subscribe, cant find it anywhere else.
was hoping to read the comments

does anyone have a link to an article about this that i dont need to subscribe to?

Here's a link from STT Source basically stating what bad taste it was.
Have to agree.

http://stthomassource.com/content/2017/02/16/v-i-agog-at-protester-waving-lynched-baby-doll/

thank you, i do believe she could have chosen something else as a symbol for the death of the future of the vi.

This reminds me of the incident when they wanted to fire the guy for using the word "niggardly". Another example of identity politics gone amuck.