Government House criticized Legislature after two reform bills were sent to committee

Government House said on August 1, 2025, that the 36th Legislature sent Bill No. 36-0124 and Bill No. 36-0125 to committee instead of debating or voting on them.

According to the statement, Bill No. 36-0124 would have removed a requirement that public employees take six months of leave before running for office, while barring campaigning on work time or use of public assets. Government House said a similar measure, Bill No. 35-0032, had failed in the previous Legislature.

Government House said Bill No. 36-0125 would have barred current and former senators from collecting a full pension while also earning a salary and building a new pension in the same retirement system.

The statement said the Legislature had earlier passed Bill No. 36-0032, which it described as acknowledging a need for pension reform for elected officials. It also said the Government Employees' Retirement System was scheduled to face a 3% increase in employer contributions on October 1, which Government House said would add $12 million to $14 million a year in costs.

Government House also said the recently secured permanent rum cover-over rate of $13.25 per proof gallon should have supported local action on pension and election changes.

The statement characterized the Legislature's action as a refusal to advance the two measures.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/government-house-statement-on-the-legislatures-hypocrisy-and-refusal-to-act-on-fairness-and-fiscal-responsibility/