Government House briefing outlines Task Force VIPR, student tablet program and horse-racing funding dispute

Government House used its weekly briefing on Jan. 29 to provide updates on a new federal infrastructure task force, a Virgin Islands Education Department tablet program, horse-racing funding on St. Croix and cruise traffic expected in St. Thomas.

Communications Director Richard Motta said Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. traveled to Puerto Rico on Jan. 23 to join White House officials and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers leaders for the launch of Task Force VIPR. He said the task force was created to help streamline permitting for major construction projects in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and would oversee civil projects in its operating area.

Motta also said the Education Department was offering free tablets and internet service to eligible K-12 students in public and private schools through the federal Affordable Connectivity Program. He said the offer applied to students in the free and reduced breakfast and lunch programs and that applications were due by Feb. 2.

On horse racing, Motta said Bryan had announced in his State of the Territory address that live racing would resume at the Clinton Phipps Racetrack on St. Thomas during Carnival, but that he could not make a similar announcement for the Randall "Doc" James Racetrack on St. Croix.

Motta said the administration had agreed to make a $5 million grant available to VIGL once substantial construction progress had been made at the St. Croix track. He said claims that the administration was withholding the money to delay horse racing on St. Croix were false.

Motta also said Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas was scheduled to call at Crown Bay on Jan. 31, along with four other cruise ships in St. Thomas. He said four more ships were scheduled to dock on Feb. 1 and warned residents to expect heavier traffic and limited taxi service.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/government-house-briefing-provides-updates-on-task-force-vipr/