Bryan signs measures on retroactive wages and hospital funding, discusses St. Thomas Carnival

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said on April 28, 2025, that he had signed several measures passed by the 36th Legislature during a weekly briefing at Government House on St. Thomas, including legislation appropriating additional money for retroactive wage payments and emergency hospital funding.

Bryan said the legislation provided an additional $22 million for retroactive wages owed to public employees under collective bargaining agreements negotiated nearly 40 years earlier. He said that brought total payments made under his administration to more than $64 million, with more than $120 million still outstanding.

Bryan also said he signed emergency funding for the territory’s hospitals. He said the money would address immediate bills but would not resolve broader structural problems in the health-care system.

During the briefing, Bryan also discussed St. Thomas Carnival events with Ian Turnbull, director of the Division of Festivals, and V.I. Police Chief Deborah Hodge, who outlined safety measures for the celebrations.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-albert-bryan-jr-signs-critical-legislation-addresses-retroactive-wages-hospital-funding-and-carnival-celebrations/