Federal stimulus funds flow in to USVI; Governor lobbies White House
Published on Thursday, March 5, 2009
Caribbean Net News
ST THOMAS, USVI: On Wednesday, Governor deJongh took action on various fronts to advance the US Virgin Islands’ case for funding and participation in the nation-wide stimulus program.
With funding already flowing into the Territory’s treasury, the governor wrote to President Obama on behalf of the US offshore Territories; sought additional flexibility with education funding from Education Secretary Arne Duncan: signed off on an assurance letter to the Secretary of Energy and executed certification letters for transportation related funding.
The Governor’s letter to President Obama seeks additional flexibility for all territories in the State Stabilization Fund, which is intended to provide fiscal relief in order to prevent budget cuts to education and other essential public services as a result of declining revenues. “On behalf of our fellow citizens in these remote outlying areas, we respectfully request that you direct the Secretary of the Interior to undertake the lead role in the administration of the State Stabilization Fund for the Territories, as authorized and permitted in the Act, in order to ensure the flexibility for the Territories that Congress intended.”
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