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Your Roadmap to Prosperity
No State or Territory can prosper
without a Congressional Delegate working tirelessly to 'bring home the bacon.'
We must participate fully in all of the Federal programs designed to assist us
in order to overcome high unemployment, high crime rates, and the shortage of
funds for education, public safety, infrastructure, and environmental needs. I
pledge to you that I will employ my best efforts to ensure that we participate
fully in this process.
On June 8, 2004, I asked the Delegate's office how much money we receive from Washington and how much we send to Washington. They said they didn't have that information. On June 14, 2004 they notified me that they, too, were now interested in this information and would send me what they found. Two months later I received a package with some information on payments received from Washington, but unfortunately with little detail, and only through 2002. There was nothing on payments sent to Washington. I have subsequently collected more data from other sources and have used them in this publication. As Delegate, I will make sure that we have the statistical information necessary to ensure full participation in all available Federal programs. Along with the myriad of grant and aid programs, Congress has also provided us with avenues to attract the new businesses we desire. I will use my professional contacts and my Congressional Staff to work with the Governor and the Senate to bring in at least 100 new financial service businesses. This will contribute over $400 million to the USVI economy, including direct payment of over $200 million in income taxes, employ at least 1,000 of our citizens, and help to bring a welcome end to our financial crisis. VERY RECENT CHANGES IN EDC REGULATIONS MAY RESULT IN A In addition to the relentless pursuit of federal funding, and attracting new businesses, I will use my experience in the financial markets to save the USVI many millions of dollars by reworking our Government's various financial arrangements. For example, we can negotiate with our creditors to use reserve funds to reduce the debt they secure, saving ourselves substantial annual net interest charges. And I can arrange the financing on our proposed bond issues in ways that will save us millions of dollars in legal fees and corporate finance fees. This will dramatically increase the funding available for education, public safety, infrastructure, public health, housing, and the environment. The Problem: A common theme in our government is the paperwork problem associated with Federal grants and aid. The USVI has lost millions of dollars of Federal funding due to the difficulty and complexity of completing the right documents on a timely basis.My Response: The Delegate is entitled to have a large staff that is paid for by the Federal government. As part of my Congressional staff I will hire experienced experts who specialize in writing requests for grants and aid. I will then send these people to the USVI to assist and to train our government officials to get the paperwork done right, and to follow through and complete the programs after they are funded.The Problem: We are spending over $1,000 less per student for education than the US 50 state average, because we do not have sufficient funding for our Department of Education.My Response: First, I will hire experts in Federal grants and aid on my Congressional staff and make them available to the USVI Dept. of Education to ensure that available Federal initiatives are realized.Second, it is my best estimate that 20,000 of our children are now living and working in the states, and paying over $300 million each year in taxes to the US Government. It is critical that the Department of the Interior and Congress understand this, and recognize that Federal funding for the USVI educational systems is paying massive dividends to the 50 states. The Problem: Neighborhoods are not safe, and there aren't enough funds to hire the number of police officers needed.My Response: My Congressional staff will include experts on participating in all Federal programs regarding public safety. Additionally, the money saved through the efficiencies I will introduce to our public finance policies will also be available to hire the police we desperately need.I will also work to bring in Federal 'pilot' programs. For example, I will propose that the US Congress fund a pilot program that reimburses neighborhoods for hiring their own security guards. By hiring their own security guards, the neighborhoods get the services they desire, and are able to make changes and modifications as needed. This takes pressure off police department resources, including management time. The Problem: We train police officers at our Police Academy only to see them accept employment overseas.My Response: I will work to coordinate the necessary arms of the USVI government to see that incentives are in place for graduates of our Police Academy to work in our police department.The Problem: The USVI incurs substantial direct and indirect costs when entering into contracts due to the perceived risk that the USVI may default on its obligations. Many businesses are forced to charge our government higher prices because they are concerned about default risk and must price that into their calculations.My Response: I will work with the USVI government to establish the use of transferable tax credits, which cost the USVI nothing, to reduce funding costs, eliminate government default risk in non financial contracts, obtain lenders for housing finance, and secure the government pension funds, to name a few examples.The Problem: There are several very expensive environmental issues that need immediate attention.My Response: I have asked for and received the contact information for a Federal EPA initiative of up to $50 million to allow the USVI to be in full compliance.The Problem: St. Croix has approximately 35 megawatts of idle electric power capacity that can be brought on line through WAPA and produce electricity at HALF the cost for our residents.My Response: I will work to coordinate activities of WAPA, the Senate, and any other relevant counterparties to accomplish this ASAP!The Problem: Government has a continuous need to strive for excellence and efficiency.My Response: The Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Finance are charged with eliminating waste and inefficiencies. I would give them a visible public forum to present their findings and proposals, and honor them when they achieve their goals. We should also bestow honors on policemen, teachers, and all public servants who display extraordinary service to the community.I will work to establish a Pan American Medical School and a Pan American Oceanography Center as part of UVI. I will strive to bring the right to vote in Congress and in the election of the President of the United States to the USVI. We are currently victims of "Taxation Without Representation" as we now send approximately $200 million in payroll taxes to Washington each year. Taxation without representation is what the American revolution against the British was fought over. It is THE fundamental principle of the United States. It is unthinkable that the US Government would impose this on the USVI.
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