Bryan cites Legislature’s approval of GARVEE bond bill and announces holiday government closures

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said on November 25, 2024, that he was grateful for the 35th Legislature’s passage of Bill No. 35-0415 on November 20, which authorizes the Virgin Islands government to use GARVEE bonds for transportation projects on St. Thomas and St. Croix.

According to Government House, the bond issue would allocate $20 million for the St. Croix-St. Thomas ferry, $48 million for the second phase of Veterans Drive on St. Thomas, and $28 million for federally eligible road projects on St. Croix. Another $6 million would be set aside for a debt service reserve fund and issuance costs, and $54 million would be used to refinance existing GARVEE bonds.

Bryan also said he would sign into law $3.5 million for the Department of Public Works to carry out emergency road repairs following torrential rains and for milling and paving the full length of St. Croix Airport Road.

In the same November 25 statement, Bryan noted that the Paradise Jam college basketball tournament had returned to St. Thomas for its 25th year. Government House said the men’s tournament began on November 22, 2024, and the women’s tournament was scheduled for November 28-30, 2024.

Bryan also announced holiday closures and administrative leave for executive branch offices. Government offices were scheduled to close or grant leave on December 24-26, 2024; January 1-3, 2025, with January 2 leave limited to St. Croix and January 3 leave granted territorywide; January 6, 2025; and January 20, 2025.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-thanks-35th-legislature-for-garvee-bonds-announces-holiday-schedule/