Senators on the Legislature’s Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs and Consumer Protection wrestled Monday with two bills that touched on core issues of workforce shortages and economic development. By the end of the hearing, they unanimously advanced a measure to help the University of the Virgin Islands attract retirees back into its ranks — but narrowly rejected a separate proposal requiring the use of locally manufactured construction materials on public projects, citing federal procurement rules and administrative challenges.
Retirees at UVI
Bill No. 36-0061, introduced by Sen. Carla J. Joseph, would allow Government Employees Retirement System (GERS) retirees to work at UVI without forfeiting their pensions, provided they enroll in a separate retirement plan. Joseph framed the measure as both a practical fix and a community investment. “This legislation is a win-win-win,” she told colleagues, pointing out that it helps experienced retirees return to service at UVI while protecting their hard-earned benefits.
GERS Administrator and CEO Angel Dawson supported the proposal, describing the fiscal impact as “essentially neutral” since the carve-out applies only to UVI and not the broader government workforce. He noted the university already has a carve-out for certain employees, and the measure would extend that flexibility to retirees.
UVI President Safiya George said the change would immediately affect three employees and help the institution recruit and retain highly qualified staff in critical areas. “By providing this flexibility, we can help secure the financial future of employees, reduce turnover, and improve recruitment efforts,” she said.
Several senators voiced strong support. Sen. Hubert L. Frederick said the bill adds value to the university without undermining GERS. “This does not harm the system. This, in fact, doesn’t do any damage whatsoever to it. Because the GERS is comfortable with this, I’m comfortable with it,” he said. Sen. Ray Fonseca called the proposal “an excellent bill” that strengthens opportunities for educators.
The committee voted unanimously to send the measure forward to the Rules and Judiciary Committee for further consideration.
Local Materials Proposal Stumbles
The debate was more divided on Bill No. 36-0102, sponsored by Sen. Marvin Blyden, which sought to require government contractors to use locally manufactured construction materials “to the greatest extent practicable” on projects funded with local or federal dollars. Blyden described the measure as a way to stimulate economic growth, encourage innovation, and strengthen resilience during disasters. “With the passing of this bill, Virgin Islanders will know that if they can produce a construction material that meets quality standards and falls within a competitive price range, they will have a market for the product,” he said.
He pointed to Puerto Rico’s decades-long local materials law and argued that the Virgin Islands could do the same. Sen. Angel Bolques, Jr. agreed, noting that other territories like Guam have enacted similar policies. “From a disaster readiness perspective, a stronger local supply chain means faster recovery,” he said.
But critics warned that the bill, while well-intentioned, could create conflicts with federal procurement standards that emphasize open competition. Procurement exper Kate Davis testified that local preference requirements could jeopardize funding for federally backed projects. “Federal compliance remains a significant concern,” she said, stressing that the authority supports the intent but must weigh affordability, quality, and compliance equally.
Property and Procurement Commissioner Lisa Alejandro and Public Works Commissioner Derek Gabriel both echoed the need for caution. Alejandro said procurement rules already require competitive strategy, and any changes must not hinder competition. Gabriel added that “we all agree with the intent” but emphasized that unintended consequences could arise if the law isn’t carefully drafted.
Sen. Alma Francis Heyliger said she supports the concept but could not vote for the bill in its current form. “I need to make sure that all I’s are dotted and all T’s are crossed before this leaves this committee,” she said. Sen. Kenneth Gittens also voted no, citing the risk of bureaucratic delays and disputes. Sen. Carla Joseph added that subject matter experts had advised her that amendments were necessary, and she deferred to their judgment.
In the end, the measure failed on a 3-3 tie, with Sens. Novelle Francis Jr., Franklin Johnson, and Avery Lewis in favor, while Francis Heyliger, Gittens, and Joseph opposed. Sen. Ray Fonseca was absent.
Next Steps
The votes highlighted the tension lawmakers face between fostering local economic development and navigating federal restrictions. While the local materials measure stalled, senators left the door open for a revised version with clearer exemptions and compliance language. Meanwhile, the UVI retirement bill moves ahead with broad support and could soon provide relief for the university’s staffing needs.
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