Political Quotes

“The 2020 election brought with it tremendous opportunities for the territories, particularly, after the devastation of unprecedented natural disasters in our global pandemic. The American Rescue Plan of 2021 offered tremendous promise of full, robust recovery for our islands. Our island governments will now receive full Federal funding for important workforce development tax credits, like the earned income tax credit, child tax credit, and the child dependent care tax credit. This will be significant relief to budget and revenue offices in the territories. In the Virgin Islands, my home, the earned income tax credit alone accounts for almost 40 percent of our tax returns in any given year. In addition, each of the territories have received at least $500 million in State and local government fiscal aid. These funds have broad eligibility, including to provide services threatened by declining revenue; make investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure; support public entities involved in transport of passengers or cargo; special purpose units of local government, or nonprofits that aid the homeless. The Virgin Islands will also receive investments from the bold Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that became law in November. The EPA, FAA, and the Army Corps of Engineers are agencies providing substantial support.…”