Bryan discussed salary increases, wage bill and budget issues in June 9 interview

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. discussed statutory salary increases for the governor and lieutenant governor, a pending government wage bill and broader budget issues during a live interview on June 9 with VI Consortium publisher Ernice Gilbert.

Government House said the 90-minute interview was streamed on Facebook, the VI Consortium and the Government Access Channel.

Bryan said salary increases for the governor and lieutenant governor took effect automatically after the 35th Legislature did not act within the 90-day period set by law. He said the governor had no role in that process and that he disclosed the missed deadline publicly.

Bryan also addressed Bill No. 36-0053, passed by the 36th Legislature, which Government House said would raise wages across the government workforce, including setting a $35,000 minimum salary for entry-level employees. Bryan said he supported higher pay but raised concerns about the bill's cost, which he said exceeded $20 million, and said he would have preferred a compromise approach.

In the interview, Bryan also cited on-time payments to vendors and contractors, regular income tax refund distributions, more than $60 million in retroactive wage payments, two solar sites totaling 20 megawatts coming online within the previous six months, infrastructure work across the territory, and continued residential utility subsidies through the WAPA Assistance Program.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-tackles-tough-questions-in-candid-interview-on-salaries-budget-priorities-and-progress/