Tax Amnesty Bill Heads To Mapp; Board Nominees And D.H.S. Commissioner Approved

ST. THOMAS — Senators on Tuesday night forwarded multiple measures to Governor Kenneth Mapp for his approval or veto, and while the most consequential bills were the sin tax and property tax measures aimed at shoring up government liquidity, there were other important legislation in the mix.

Among them was a bill sponsored by Senate Democrats offering tax amnesties that seek to waive interest and penalties on delinquent gross receipt, excise and property taxes before 2015, and would last for six months. The bill also mandates the Economic Development Authority to submit to the Legislature within 30 days, an expedited process for new EDC applicants. The measure also removes the governor from the process of approving new EDC applicants, and it directs the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs to approve licenses within thirty days for first-time applicants.

The Senate approved Bill No. 32-0032, allowing for a zipline business to be built at the Carambola Golf and Country Club on 4.7 acres of land just west of the golf course. And it approved Bill No. 32-0033, which grants a zoning variance for Plot No. 30 Estate La Grande Princesse, Company Quarter on St. Croix, to allow for dog-related services, to include grooming/washing, training, boarding and doggy day care.

The lawmakers also approved three Mapp nominees for various government boards. They include Aida Iris Bermudez, who will serve as a member of the Juan F. Luis Hospital Board; Hubert Antonio Turnbull, set to serve as a member of the V.I. Water and Power Authority Board; and Felecia Blyden, serving as Mr. Mapp’s latest commissioner of the Department of Human Services.