Bryan, back in territory, touts discussions with mainland policymakers regarding issues facing his administration

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. addressed the territory on Monday after returning from a trip to Washington D.C. and Chicago.

In the nation’s capital, Bryan met with White House officials and Congressional staffers about some of his administration’s top priorities, including the reinstatement of the rum tax cover over, the waiving of the 10 percent cost share requirement for disaster recovery projects, and the reopening of the St. Croix refinery.

Regarding extensions to the rum tax cover over from $10.50 to $13.25 per proof gallon, Bryan said his administration is hoping to see federal action taken by the end of the year.

“Now, although it has been provided for decades,” he said, “because of things that’s going on in Congress and the course of business, we have not been able to get that extender before the Congress to get it passed.” Bryan noted that “nothing has been really usual” in Congress in recent times.

Bryan said he also discussed the reopening of the St. Croix refinery.

“It’s . . . pivotal, really, to the health of the Virgin Islands,” he said, “because as we go through this recovery period and doing all this federal building, there has to be something that creates employment and keeps us sustainable over the course of the future.”

The administration’s request to have the 10 percent cost share requirement for disaster recovery projects waived was met with more resistance. Bryan said the cost of the recovery effort has grown to $15 billion since hurricanes Irma and Maria, which requires $1.5 billion in matching funds from the Virgin Islands.

“We’ve been unsuccessful thus far,” he said of the waiver. “They really don’t want to set any precedents in terms of waiving this 100 percent, as it has never been done. But Congress gives them the right to do so, so we keep talking.”

The latest approach, he said, was to ask them to just waive the requirement for crucial projects like hospitals, schools and public infrastructure like water and sewage.

Bryan also announced that $10 million worth of tax returns had been mailed to Virgin Islanders, which should cover anyone who filed taxes on time — unless they are in the process of being audited.

During Monday’s briefing, Bryan nominated former Labor Commissioner nominee Averil George to take over as the commissioner of the Human Services Department. Departing Commissioner Kimberley Causey-Gomez notified the governor of her intent to resign in late August but remained in the position until Bryan named a replacement.

Bryan said he and his team also met with a deputy undersecretary of the U.S. Housing and Urban and Development Department and other officials to ensure that the territory is “on target” to resolve contract disputes between the USVI and its fuel provider, VITOL.