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.
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Good going NELLY!!!! Keep up the good work.
Your a woman to be admired. You need to show some of your colleagues how to get cohones.
The true Senator “of the people” and “for the people”.
Senator, you have many “fans” and supporters on all three islands. If only some of your associates would show your integrity, and fortitude.
I am truly impressed by this senator. The Virgin Islands would be a lot better off if there was more elected officials like her. I hope she continues to work for the people and not let politics or the elected title change her.
Congratulations to Sen. O’Reilly on raising this issue. It is unclear, however, if Interior has any power (or willingness) to support this initiative. After all, this would lead to more self-suficiency, and they would have less control. So Interior’s support is questionable. What is required is federal legislation. None of out three delegates to Congress ever submitted such legislation. As I remember it, de Lugo refused Juan Luis’ request to submit the legislation. He thought that this was “too much money for we” as the story goes…But with half of the amount, our budget woes would soon be over, the retirement system properly capitalized, new schools, etc. We would be a self-sufficient economy. Of course, this might lead to ideas of a more autonomous, less dependent political status…(can’t have that…). But the Senator’s initiative should be supported, and thousands of letters should be sent to support her. If I am not mistaken, the draft constitution also makes reference to the return of the gasoline excise taxes – apparently, its not all about ‘native’ definitions, but there is also some other things in there. The media won’t cover that part, of course…
Nellie for governor 2014.
Wouldn’t it be great to have Nellie run for Gov? Yep, she would take it, but she has her own desires to become more educated before she can do it. Nellie: we are waiting for you, you do what you need to to feel right about the position waiting for you. Just keep your hand in the basket while all this corruption continues, and we will be waiting for you!
I have heard of many dream teams but an interesting thought just came to mind; what about a Donastorg/O’Reilly Ticket? This is the buzz here on St. Croix and he dejongh team is terrified by this thought. We I for one voted for Nellie last election and would definately support her if she was to join with Donastorg for Governor/Lt. Governor. Nellie is ready to make a good Lt. Governor and would add the strength a Donastorg/O’Reilly Administration need to tackle the corruption that reins over the Virgin Islands. Let’s put this up as a poll on this website. I have asked people around St. Croix and they are going crazy with this thought. I hope Nellie is paying attention to her call from a silent majority. She would not be the first to make this leap. Look at what Cyril King and Juan Luis did. We here on St. Croix are waiting patiently.
Donastorg /O’Reilly sounds very exciting. I would support the Senator for whatever position she chooses.
There is also the ability for “we the people” to draft a candidate.
talking and setting up meetings to do more talking dose not make for a good GOV, I know that we are in troble now but I for one dont want to get deeper into troble all the two of them do is more talking than working, we need someone to bring change to the table
From all that one reads ‘change’ is desperately needed,but in bringing that about be mindful of what took place at the national level last November and the resulting assault on the U.S.Constitution.I wish you well.
Nellie you deserve better than running in second slot. Nellie for Governor 2014. Don’t be pulled in by Donastorg charm. You have a better chance at becoming the first female governor. Keep off anyone’s bandwagon, your style is very unique and we want you not to be clouded by old political wars. No I will not and never have supported Dewolf so don’t go there Foncie.
Foncie/nellie sounds good to me.
Not Foncie ! you can thank him for DeWolf winning the last time, as for Nellie she needs more time, to build up a record this is not the time, I hope that she is not going to start acting like Foncie, crying about every thing and not doing any work, it’s all about him ! and not us.
She needs to stay far away from Foncie as possible!
Stpo hating on Foncie. He has done a lot nd continues to do a lot for these islands.
Foncie is DeJongh’s biggest threat, ask any of John’s supporters. He fears the good Senator Donastorg and with good reason!
Foncie seems a bit too ambitious to become Governor of the Virgin Islands, it’s almost narcissistic like. Do we really want another narcissist to become Governor?
SMH,
There must be something you are afraid of with the Donastorg/O’Reilly Team. But don’t worry word has it on St. Croix that another train is coming and something you least expect. One thing we know for certain is that Narcissist people normally throw people under the bus because its all about them; how many people had dejongh thrown under the bus? Look at what he did to poor Cherrie Wallace-Cole. And look at what he did to Senator Dowe, when he suggested the Inspector General should have questioned the Senator to determine intent. This is getting interesting. But here they attack Senator Donastorg once again for telling the truth. This is all too classic.
Yes Dennis, I am afraid that O’Reilly would tarnish her reputation by teaming up with Donastorg. She does not need Donastorg. Donastorg needs her! I feel that O’Reilly can her own political future instead of teaming with Donastorg. It is my opinion that being Donastorg’s #2 is beneath her. This may sound harsh to the Donastorg supporters, but it’s just my opinion.
Let us know about this train that you hear coming out of St. Croix.
As for DeJongh, that bus will continue to run people over from now until November. Their motto is TOGETHER. So, there will be a lot of people taking hits for the team, from now until election day.
Donastorg has served us well and I think Donastorg/O’Reilly would be an honorable team.