Sen. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen's promised attempt to amend, delay, or just plain repeal the compulsory automobile insurance law, due to take effect on Feb. 13, met with a resounding thud from almost all quarters Tuesday as she tried to brave it through a special session of the Senate.
Hansen has been loud in her disapproval of the insurance law, stating that it hurts "the people" and that "rich" people wouldn't be affected, nor government officials such as herself. "It's the people," she pleaded, demanding a special session of the Legislature to study the bill.
She tried on Tuesday to tack an amendment onto the compulsory insurance bill calling for a delay of 180 days. Legislative counsel Constance Krigger said that motion was out of order; only funding for the V.I. Department of Labor's Occupational Safetly and Health Administration program — the reason for the special session — could be considered.
Sen. President Vargrave Richards told Hansen the amendment was "non-germane."
Hansen also moved the Legislature meet Feb. 3 in regular session to "consider all relevant measures and amendments pertaining to compulsory insurance." Krigger said that motion was in order, and a vote was then taken on it. It was voted down by 10-2, with three absent. Sen. Adelbert "Bert" Bryan and Hansen were the two yes votes.
