Government House briefing covered storm preparedness, health-plan debate and economic projects

Government House said in its weekly briefing on St. Croix on Aug. 4, 2025, that officials discussed hurricane preparedness, a rejected proposal to study a self-funded government health insurance model, a new lending grant and infrastructure work in Charlotte Amalie.

Communications Director Richard Motta Jr. said the 36th Legislature had rejected Gov. Albert Bryan Jr.'s proposal to create a fact-finding committee to examine a self-funded health insurance model for government employees and retirees. Motta said the proposal would not have changed the current plan.

VITEMA Director Daryl Jaschen said Tropical Storm Dexter had formed on Aug. 3, 2025, and was expected to remain north of Bermuda. He also said a tropical wave moving off the west coast of Africa had a 50% chance of developing into a tropical depression by the end of that week.

Motta said the RTPark Community Impact Fund had received a $3.6 million grant to launch the VI Leap Fund, which he said would support entrepreneurs, small businesses and underserved communities.

He also said Bryan had signed Executive Order No. 542 of 2025 on Aug. 4, 2025, expanding enterprise zones in Frederiksted and Garden Street/Upstreet Charlotte Amalie and creating new commercial zones in Charlotte Amalie and Cruz Bay, St. John.

Government House said the Department of Public Works had completed renovations at the Fort Christian Parking Lot in Charlotte Amalie and reopened the facility during the week of Aug. 4, 2025. The work included resurfacing, ADA-compliant ramps, reflective signage and utility improvements for Carnival vendors. Government House said the lot also began accepting cash, credit and debit cards through a 24-hour automated payment system, with a pay-on-foot kiosk planned later in August, and included free electric-vehicle charging stations.

The briefing also announced two public events scheduled for that week: a Virgin Islands Police Department swearing-in ceremony at 10 a.m. on Aug. 5, 2025, for Chief Deborah L. Hodge for St. Thomas-St. John and Chief Uston A. Cornelius for St. Croix, and a Department of Finance building dedication honoring Bernice Turnbull at 2 p.m. on Aug. 7, 2025.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/weekly-government-house-briefing-highlights-hurricane-preparedness-economic-progress-and-infrastructure-renewal/