Mapp, Other Governors To Meet With Trump At Governors’ Annual Meeting

ST. THOMAS — Governor Kenneth Mapp will meet with President Donald Trump as part of the annual National Governors Association meeting being held in Washington D.C. from February 24-27, Government House made known Friday. Above, Mr. Mapp  and U.S. Senate President Orrin Hatch on Capitol Hill approximately one year ago.

The announcement was made in a press release the Mapp administration issued, in which Mr. Mapp commended senators who make up the Committee on Rules and Judiciary for supporting his five-year economic growth plan, commonly referred to as the sin tax measure. The bill aims to either introduce or increase taxes on rum, tobacco products, sodas and beers. It also aims to tax internet purchases and timeshare unit owners.

“I thank the committee members and continue to be encouraged by the effort and good judgment of senators willing to move forward,” Mr. Mapp said.

Mr. Mapp, along with other governors, met with Vice President Mike Pence on Friday during a working luncheon at the annual meeting. And in addition to policy discussions on education, infrastructure, childhood hunger and cybersecurity, the governors will meet with Mr. Trump and various cabinet secretaries during the four-day event. Governors will go to Capitol Hill on Monday to conduct discussions with leaders in Congress on health care reform, tax reform and cybersecurity, according to Government House.

The event ends on February 27, but Mr. Mapp won’t be back until March 1, according to Government House.

Mr. Mapp is on the association’s Committee of Homeland Security and Border Protection, which is presenting at this year’s conference. “I would like to participate in that,” Mr. Mapp said at a press conference in St. Croix on Wednesday. The governor also mentioned an opportunity to meet with the head of Department of Transportation, “to discuss the issues of the infrastructure of the roads in the territory, given [President Trump’s] initiative to invest in the infrastructure of the nation,” Mr. Mapp said.

NGA Chair Terry McAuliffe, governor of Virginia, said governors’ involvement in the policy-making that takes place in Washington was more critical than it’s ever been.

“I am pleased so many governors will be on hand this weekend to discuss and work through some of the most pressing issues facing America today,” he said. “Now more than ever, governors’ involvement is paramount as Congress and the administration develop new policies that affect our citizens.”

In addition to attending Friday’s meetings, Mr. Mapp was interviewed by White House Correspondent April Ryan, who is the Washington Bureau Chief of American Urban Radio Networks, according to Government House.

Lieutenant Governor Osbert Potter is acting governor while Mr. Mapp is away.