O’Reilly Letter Addresses Gas Excise Taxes, Public Housing
Sen. Nellie O'Reilly
The excise tax on gasoline exported from the Virgin Islands and the condition of public housing communities were the topics of a letter from Sen. Nellie O’Reilly to an official of the Secretary of the Interior.
In a letter dated February 1, 2010, O’Reilly thanked Anthony Babauta, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular Areas, for visiting the territory and addressing the members of the 28th Legislature, and reminded him about some of her concerns.
“One of the issues most critical to the territory’s future economic sustainability is the return of the excise taxes collected on gasoline exported to, and sold in the United States, from the Virgin Islands,” stated Senator O’Reilly. “The ability of the Virgin Islands government to receive a portion of these taxes would result in much needed revenues to our territory to fund infrastructure projects such as schools and hospitals.”
This measure was started during Governor Juan Luis’ administration but was never completed by subsequent administrations. O’Reilly lit the torch under this project in February 2009, when she sent Governor de Jongh a letter stating the possible avenues which could be taken for the return of the gasoline excise taxes.
Additionally, Senator O’Reilly brought the deplorable conditions of the housing communities under the jurisdiction and management of the federal government located in St. Croix to Babauta’s attention. “The rehabilitation of these units will provide much needed housing for our low income families,” she wrote.
O’Reilly, a first-time Senator in the 28th Legislature, is a member of four committees including, Financial Services, Infrastructure & Consumer Affairs; Education, Youth & Culture; Labor & Agriculture; and Economic Development, Energy & Technology. For more information contact Team Nellie at 712-2222 or teamnellie@gmail.com.
I met Senator O’Reilly last evening and she has her head on. She won’t be caught up in anyone’s campaign. So Foncie don’t throw this idea out there she is not interested in joining anyone’s team. She is an up coming political star that needs time to politically mature. We grooming her for the top job, she don’t need to be caught up in anyone’s political train. Nellie 2014.
@Sensibility
That is great to hear! Like I was trying to say earlier, “She needs to carve her own political future”
And stay as far away from Donastorg as possible!
Another campaign stomp speech that’s going nowhere. Let’s stop trying to fool the electorate, and be more responsible for the things that we can control. I think if this was possible, it would have already happened. Let’s advocate our position on rum cover over, and keep the pressure on Congress not to change.
@ APV
Do you mean let’s advocate on gas revenues?
Sensibility, I mean rum cover over. There have been discussions for congress to make changes to current law as it relates to how cover over can be utilized and how much of a percentage can be used to insentivize investment. In this case, Sen. O’Reilly would be better off advocating for status quo as it relates to current law.
I think you meant incentivize, Verdell. There’s no “s”. You are always so quick to correct others. Get your ish straight.
Another Point of View,
In the first place, if John deJongh did not negotiate such an asinine deal in the mist of RAPING the Virgin Islands financially. Then Congress would not be considering making any changes to law.
You can thank our JOKE of a governor, John deJongh, for this mess we are currently in.
I have come to the conclusion that this woman(VP) now lives for the attention she is now receiving when she call into all the radio talk shows and write letters to new papers, or even blog on this site. I can tell that this is the most attention that she have ever gotten in her life, to be so far out in left field with the things that she say and write, it is so sad that no one have ever given any attention to her all her life, that she had to come to this at her age. She reminds me of someone that always wanted to be important now she has discovered a way to be just what she wanted (important) no matter whom it hurts. I feel even if you support someone there has to come a point in time that like it or not if they do something that is wrong, a person must be able to tell them that and move on,doing so dose not suggest that you support or even like that person any less, but this blind support for a person is something that is not healthy, or is it any good for the community that is exposed to it. So for the people that knows better need to talk up or we all would be just as bad.
Enough,
Again, let’s get the facts straight. The issue in Congress was raised by P.R. not the V.I. Congress is already on our side on this issue, but we as a community have to keep the pressure on…if you are confused about where you live, that’s another topic for discussion. I believe that the VI government did what is in the best interest of all the people, not just some.
Another Point of View,
I am very aware of where I was born, went to school and reside and love with all of my heart, the USVI. This is exactly the reason why I am against the deJongh Administration.
Either you refuse to comprehend the facts or you are unable to comprehend. In any case, let me simplify things for you.
Congress is NOT on our side concerning the fact that John deJongh has given away so much of the rum cover over revenues, to a foreign, multi-billion dollar company, with the USVI receiving so little in return. The Congreesional report has not only stated that currently the laws in place do not prevent the Governor from doing such action, but; has also pointed out the obvious “flaws” within the Diageo/deJongh contract.
Because of John deJongh’s suspicious underhanded deal with Diageo. Congress is looking into CHANGING the law, much to the detriment of the USVI. You, can thank John deJongh for that.
Yes, Puerto Rico raised the concern about the amount of revenue the USVI is practically throwing at Diageo. However, if Congress did not find valid reason behind Puerto Rico’s concern (and may I add, the concern of the majority of us that live in the USVI) then the changing of the current law would not even be an issue.
You and all the other deJongh supporters continue to hide and ignore the fact that the Diageo/deJongh Deal is completely deceptive and one sided.
John deJongh did not do what was in the best interest of the people of the USVI. Instead, he did what was deemed to be a financially lucrative opportunity for himself and his friends.
EVERYONE to include Congress, CNN, FOX News, CNBC etc. have voiced their opinion concerning the ridiculous Diageo/deJongh Deal. And guess what? All of them have basically implied that “Something is not right”.
The deJongh/Diageo Deal, the theifing of almost 1/2 of a million dollars to renovate his home, the $140,000 dollars his wife took from the VI Lottery so a majority of “rich” children can get an all expense paid vacation to Africa and sooooooo many other reasons is why John deJongh does not deserve and should not serve another term.
You and all of John deJongh’s supporters continue to be blinded and misguided about the facts that are laid out right infront of your face. Give the truth a chance, it will set you free.
Why is my comment awaiting moderation?
Mr. Administrator,
Can you let me know why my commennt is in moderation? ……much obliged.
@ Enough,
Our apologies. Sometimes pieces of words catch the filter.
No problem with your comment.
Thank you Admin. keep up the great work!
The Senator is just as big of a phony as the others are, I used to hear her on Free Speach and she used to voice her opposition to the ridiculous 85k a year salary. Now that she’s elected she’s enjoying the salary and has not introduce any bills to change the salary. She should be voted out just like all the others.