Governor Albert Bryan Jr. today issued a strong statement in response to the recent press release by Senator Milton Potter and the legislative hearing held on Monday concerning salaries of elected officials.
The 31st and 33rd Legislatures commendably initiated a comprehensive study of salaries through the Compensation Commission. Time and resources were expended to compile data and provide recommendations to the Government of the VI. The Legislature wisely established the Commission to remove political influence from the salary evaluation process. The Commission performed its task and provided duly researched recommendations. Despite being in receipt of this report for months, the Legislature has failed to evaluate the findings painstakingly produced by the Commission. Rather, the Legislature has taken a reactionary and punitive stance towards its own legislative mandate, unnecessarily creating a political spectacle. To date the Legislature has not conducted a public review of the contents of the Commission’s report.
“I urge the Legislature to utilize the resources provided to it and finally review the Commission’s findings. Seeking to eliminate the work of the Commission through legislation targeted at executive salaries undermines the thoughtful work of the Commission, politicizes the process, and contravenes the purpose of the salary study,” the Governor stated.
Governor Bryan called the hearing “a total waste of the community’s time and an unnecessary distraction,” criticizing it as a political maneuver rather than a genuine attempt at legislative oversight.
“It is very disappointing to see members of the Legislature capitalizing on public sentiment for political gain. Tell the people the truth — you excluded the Governor from the process and then failed to execute the procedure created by your own branch,“ he said.
Governor Bryan also underscored that the Legislature cannot reduce the Governor’s salary during his term.
“This fundamental premise exists to preserve the independence of the executive branch and prevent the Legislature from leveraging salary adjustments as a form of political pressure,” Bryan added.
Giving the Legislature the authority to reduce the Governor’s salary during his term disrupts the balance of power. Any legislature could reduce a governor’s salary when they don’t agree, for political retribution.
On Monday, no representative of the executive branch participated in the hearing.
“We declined to participate in a proceeding designed to mislead the public and politicize an issue already governed by statute,” Governor Bryan noted. “I did not ask for a raise, did not craft the legislation, and was not the approving authority for the Commission’s recommendations. That was the Legislature, including many of the senators now objecting to its results. I also did not fail to act on the Compensation Commission’s report, which was properly submitted to the Legislature in August 2024.”
“Let’s be clear — I cannot rescind laws. For the Legislature or the Lt. Governor to suggest otherwise and lay this issue at my feet is insincere and unjust.” the Governor continued. “I may not always agree with every law, but I am duty-bound to implement them.”
Governor Bryan also stated that if the 36th Legislature truly wishes to engage in a conversation about compensation and retirement reform for elected officials, he is open to that discussion.
“Any such review must also examine the statutory benefits that allow senators to earn additional income while serving, collect multiple government annuities, and receive an annuity while drawing a government pay check — a privilege denied to most government employees, including the Governor,” he pointed out. “By law, the Governor cannot hold another position or receive a government annuity while in office.”
“When the Compensation Commission process was established, it was applauded for removing politics from pay decisions. If an independent body cannot be trusted to do that, then what’s the alternative?” Any move to rescind public officials pay raises without offering an improved solution, is premature and irresponsible, and will serves to set up back to the days Act 6905.
Governor Bryan concluded by urging the Legislature to focus on real issues.
“We must turn our attention to policies and initiatives that improve the lives of Virgin Islanders — not waste time on political grandstanding over matters already settled by law.”
