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Senators' 'shenanigans' put ego ahead of progress on important bill
Published: May 16, 2012 in the VI Daily News
During Wednesday's Government Operation, Energy and Veteran's Affairs Committee hearing, I proposed Bill No. 29-0270- An Act to Restructure the V.I. Government. The bill aims to protect government employees and improve the delivery of government services. In essence, it would require our Governor to review each department and submit a restructuring plan. If dismissals were absolutely necessary, they would be made based on proper evaluation and with a preference for retraining and lateral transfers within the government.
The bill was held in Committee by Chairwoman Alicia "Chucky" Hansen, who refused to take testimony from the testifiers I invited. She reasoned that it was the role of the Chairwoman to invite testifiers and not the bill sponsor. Rather than submitting to antics, I quietly showed the members of the public the signed list of testifiers hand-delivered to Hansen's office and signed for by her staff on March 14, 2012, and May 4, 2012. Despite my efforts, Senators Hansen and White dismissed the testifiers, some of whom traveled from St. Thomas to St. Croix for the hearing.
Our government's payroll is currently bigger than the territory can afford. I am disappointed that Senator Hansen hindered the proper consideration of a bill that would protect our hardworking government employees. My job as a legislator is to carry out the will of the people. I drafted this bill in response to my constituents' concerns with wrongful dismissals and abuse within the system. The bill would address these concerns and strengthen the transparency of the government's hiring and dismissal process in the midst of our financial crisis.
Since the hearing, I've received many calls from the public voicing their distaste toward the shenanigans that at times occur on the legislative floor. As a Senator and public figure, I am accountable to the public for my behavior, particularly while on the job. For that reason, although I am human, I strive to always put my best foot forward and maintain respect for my colleagues. I can only hope they choose to do the same.
One ray of light from the hearing was that the sole testifier, Director Ken Hermon from Division of Personnel, said that the executive branch is already implementing or plans to implement many of the suggestions contained in the bill.
- V.I. Senator-at-Large Craig Barshinger
Posted : May 22, 2012 7:15 pm
And your point, Lucy?
Senator Craig Barshinger submitted a media opinion a week ago which some of us have already seen but you reprint it for what reason? It's all very well to comment on local news (even though rather belated) but you've made no point of discussion in printing it here which rather leads one to believe that you assume that most posters here are totally blind and incapable of reading comprehension. This might be true but you fail to realize that many "lurk" on this site and simply choose not to respond. Seems in general that you maybe have a very low opinion of the general intellect of residents ...
Posted : May 22, 2012 7:51 pm
I can't tell who I'm supposed to be mad at. Is it the sponsor of the legislation or the Senator who wouldn't allow some peon to testify?
Posted : May 22, 2012 9:24 pm
Thanks for sharing that Lucy.
Not all of us who care have access to the latest news in such detail.
Chucky in microcosm is what's wrong with the USVI... she is the least competent, most outspoken Senator, and yet was the biggest vote getter.
Posted : May 22, 2012 10:06 pm
Topic starter
And your point, Lucy?
Senator Craig Barshinger submitted a media opinion a week ago which some of us have already seen but you reprint it for what reason? It's all very well to comment on local news (even though rather belated) but you've made no point of discussion in printing it here which rather leads one to believe that you assume that most posters here are totally blind and incapable of reading comprehension. This might be true but you fail to realize that many "lurk" on this site and simply choose not to respond. Seems in general that you maybe have a very low opinion of the general intellect of residents ...
I bring issues to the board that effect us all economically .... just to share facts. And how would I know if you and some others already saw a similar opinion? If I thought the residents had low intellect as you believe, I would have told them what this all means. But you OT 'seem' to be just the opposite and opine about every little topic. To each to her own.
Posted : May 22, 2012 11:32 pm
Thank you Lucy for sharing the article. I care about my community and appreciate you for caring too.
Posted : May 22, 2012 11:52 pm
Thanks, Lucy. Trying to live in two different worlds and don't get to catch up to all the news in both all the time. It's helpful to me when these escapades are pointed out.
Posted : May 23, 2012 11:48 am
He may be intelligent, well spoken, and have real and positive suggestions for improving life in the VI, but can Barshinger throw a good fish fry? 😎
Posted : May 23, 2012 2:23 pm
I bring issues to the board that effect us all economically .... just to share facts. And how would I know if you and some others already saw a similar opinion? If I thought the residents had low intellect as you believe, I would have told them what this all means. But you OT 'seem' to be just the opposite and opine about every little topic. To each to her own.
I read both newspapers every day and the online Source to try and keep up with local news. Those who rely on a forum message board for their news (most of which is chosen solely for its negative "value") never see all the positives reported. I'm not criticizing you for reprinting a newspaper article but am unclear about your motive for reprinting it with no opinion attached to it. That's normal forum procedure. As far as my opining about "every little topic" I opine on what I know about and if I'm not sure about "facts" then I say so.
islandhopes: I don't think Barshinger has ever thrown a fish fry. 😀
Posted : May 23, 2012 2:37 pm
Topic starter
OT - OK I relent. If you want my opinion on this here it is. First, the government needs some serious restructuring and downsizing to better match projected revenues. I've said this in prior posts ... the VI gov.t operates like that of Florida. But, Florida has 13 million and the USVI has 110,000 residents. Taxes should be restructured to make it fair. Eliminate excise and add a sales tax or something else. Reductions in resources, should be fair. And I think gov.t employees get too many paid (off) administrative days, etc. So if the proposed bill does the above, then I am OK with it. The big issue is that, if a bill is proposed .... time should be given to both sides for honest debate. It seems it did not happen in this case.
Posted : May 23, 2012 5:08 pm
Thanks and I agree.
Posted : May 23, 2012 5:38 pm
