Feb. 1, 2002 – Legislation to authorize the University of the Virgin Islands Research and Technology Park, which had been languishing in committee, was pulled out Thursday by the full Senate and sent on its way to Government House.
Sen. Adelbert Bryan had held the bill in his Economic Development, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Committee for months, logging in long hours of hearings. Bryan said repeatedly that he was not convinced that UVI really intends to build the park on St. Croix, as the university administration has stated, rather than on St. Thomas.
Sens. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen and Donald "Ducks" Cole brought the measure to the floor by special order. Bryan objected to the special order on Wednesday, but he wasn't there for Thursday's vote 14-0 vote.
Supporters of the park say it will bring research dollars to St. Croix to help the island's depressed economy and will provide opportunities for young Virgin Islanders to stay in the territory to pursue careers.
Among the amendments attached to the bill as approved were these:
– Requirement that the major portion of the operation be located on St. Croix.
– Authorization for the government to transfer 205 acres of land on St. Croix to UVI for the park.
– Appropriation of $1 million to fund operations of the UVI Research and Technology Park Corp. for Fiscal Year 2002. The money is to be used to relocate livestock and equipment of people who farm the land where the park is to be located.
Action in the Senate chambers Thursday was efficiently moved on by an edict from Senate President Almando "Rocky" Liburd that they would stick to the body's three-minute limit on debate, an almost unheard of idea. More often than not, lawmakers speak on at length after the three-minute call, to "just finish up." Even White tempered his oratory when he saw that Liburd meant business.
After moving along in a fairly brisk morning session, the senators spent much of the afternoon tacking on more than 30 amendments to a bill appropriating $300,000 for the Public Works Department on St. Croix to purchase three VITRAN Plus minivans and to employ three drivers and two mechanics. The bill passed.
The amendments ranged from reviving video lottery authorization (see separate story, "Lawmakers give video lotteries a third chance") to sending a softball team to the mainland.
Legislation appropriating $5 million to Roy L. Schneider Hospital for capital improvement, staff development and recruitment was approved. Sen. Norma Pickard-Samuel said the funding is necessary for the hospital to obtain accreditation so it can get federal reimbursement for medical care for veterans.
A bill addressing the accreditation situation of public high schools was sent back to the Education Committee for further study.
Also approved were bills to establish penalties for bomb threats and detonation of bombs and to authorize the governor to lease the Ingeborg Nesbitt Clinic in Fredricksted to Frederiksted Care Center Inc.
