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Senators clashed over a bill that would let government employees run for elected office without taking leave, with proponents calling the measure a fix for economic barriers to candidacy and critics warning it could create operational and ethical problems. Bill No. 36-0134, sponsored by Sen. Marise C. James, would repeal and reenact Title 18, chapter 1, section 2 of the Virgin Islands Code to allow most government employees to remain actively employed while running for public office, “unless specifically prohibited by federal or other laws.” It would allow territorial employees to remain in active status and keep their benefits while campaigning for elected office. It eliminates the requirement that government employees take a leave of absence once they file nomination papers to run for office. Under current law, employees must go on leave – paid or unpaid – during the campaign period. During the Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs and Consumer Protection meeting, chaired by Sen. Avery Lewis, the livestream on Monday experienced technical difficulties, freezing repeatedly and cutting parts of the hearing for online viewers. James, who is not seeking re-election, told the committee the measure is about removing unnecessary barriers that discourage qualified Virgin Islanders from seeking elected office. “This bill rests on a simple but powerful idea,” James said. “If we truly believe that government should reflect the people it serves, we must ensure that all qualified individuals, not just those with financial means, can compete fairly. Democracy should not be a luxury item reserved for those who can afford to take time off or those who are sitting in public office right now.” James said the bill would not interfere with existing accountability measures or agency policies, but instead “simply ensures that employees can remain employed while they exercise their constitutional right to run for office.” She said employees would still be barred from campaigning on government time or using public resources for political activity, and that judicial officers and Hatch Act–covered employees would remain excluded. James clarified that the Hatch Act only applies to fully federally funded employees, who remain ineligible to run for office, while territorial employees paid with local funds would benefit from the proposed change. James argued that requiring government workers to take unpaid leave unfairly limits participation to those who can afford it. “When we have climbed the ladder, we should not pull it up behind us,” she said, urging colleagues to “open the doors of civic engagement, not close them.” The bill drew personal testimony from former and current public employees who described real financial hardship under current rules. Ophelia Williams-Jackson, a perennial Senate candidate and now a retired government educator, supported the measure and told senators she lost family health insurance, went months without pay and forfeited other government benefits while campaigning. Cindy Richardson, director of the Division of Personnel, submitted written testimony backing the measure and urged agencies to prepare guidance in advance to prevent confusion over what political activity is allowed. Lewis and Sen. Novelle Francis Jr. supported the measure with Francis joking that he looked forward to the competition. “Bring it on,” he said. Not everyone agreed with removing leave requirements entirely. Several senators pushed for safeguards that would limit potential operational disruptions. Sen. Kurt Vialet said he was concerned that an employee could remain in active employment status until the election, so he suggested a 30-day paid leave of absence through annual leave so that candidates could focus on campaigning without failing to meet job responsibilities. Supporters of that approach argued the final weeks of a campaign demand concentrated time that could conflict with an employee’s regular responsibilities. James pushed back, saying such an amendment would contradict the purpose of the bill. “Losing even one paycheck can cause hardship on people. Losing an entire month’s salary could make running for office impossible,” she said. “We have to open the door to participation, not leave it half shut.” In the sponsor’s view, creating a 30-day leave requirement would simply shift the burden back onto lower-paid workers. She added that there are many people who may be interested in running that will not have 30 days of annual paid leave available for campaigning. “Where is the compassion in this Legislature? Where is it? All I’m seeing is self-interest,” she said. “Because if a government employee doesn’t have the annual leave 30 days before an election, what do they do?” Sen. Alma Francis Heyliger pushed back hard on the narrative that lawmakers were protecting a privileged class. “One of the things that I sat here and took real offense to was the constant message that only the wealthy can run and individuals that have already made it to the Senate seat is now trying to pull up the ladder and kick people down,” she said. “That is the furthest thing from the truth and 100% false,” Heyliger added, describing how she ran for office five times and made serious sacrifices to win a seat. “Are we going to build a situation where we are not teaching people that sometimes if you really want to do something, if you really want to fight on behalf of the people, if you really want to serve them, that they shouldn’t put in the work?” she asked, emphasizing that personal sacrifice is part of running for office. After extended questioning and debate, the committee voted favorably on the bill with four yeas.. Heyliger and colleagues, Sens. Carla Joseph and Ray Fonseca did not vote and recorded points of personal privilege. The measure will advance to Rules and Judiciary for further consideration. The committee also advanced Bill No. 36-0148, sponsored by Vialet, which would require the V.I. Taxicab Commission to implement an electronic payment system and to require drivers to offer at least two payment options such as debit, credit card or electronic transfer. “It is time that we modernize the industry and that individuals [using] transportation have the opportunity to utilize more than one form of payment, ” Vialet said. “It is an opportunity for the taxi industry to move forward” He explained that since the bill was first offered in 2019, there are now more payment options available. Vialet noted how many think individuals will have trouble adapting, but said “our taxi drivers are more than smart enough that once they are taught, they are going to learn the system.” Testimony from the Department of Tourism and taxi associations made the case that modern payment options are expected by visitors and would make trips safer and more transparent. Elizabeth Hansen-Watley, assistant commissioner for the V.I. Tourism Department testified that many tourists visiting the Virgin Islands “express frustration over the limited credit and digital payment options available in our taxi services.” She said this change would align the territory with other premier Caribbean destinations, noting that most destinations already accept digital payments, and that measure will also improve the tracking of trips. Taxi representatives supported the bill as well but urged a gradual rollout and training for drivers who are not familiar with digital systems. They also warned about processing fees and occasional declined transactions. Senators also discussed the need to strengthen enforcement and address complaints about illegal operators. Several said the electronic system should be implemented alongside efforts to reduce the number of unlicensed drivers competing against taxi permit holders. Lawmakers picked up on the idea that digital transactions could help regulators identify illegal operators and ensure licensed drivers earn fair revenue. Vialet said the bill aims to improve accountability, convenience and record keeping without eliminating cash transactions. The committee adopted an amendment clarifying payment-option requirements and voted unanimously to advance the bill to Rules and Judiciary. In addition to the policy measures, the committee also heard testimony on two resolutions recognizing contributions to the community. The committee unanimously voted to pass Bill No. 36-0075, a resolution honoring the late Austin A. Venzen for decades of service to music education and choir direction. Educators, former students and colleagues described Venzen’s impact on choral work, school bands and cultural life across the territory. Bill No. 36-0044 recognizes seven-year-old twins Kruz and Stefon Wilson for saving a drowning man at Magens Bay Beach. Lawmakers heard from family members about the rescue and boys’ response. The livestream froze during the final moments of that item, so the committee’s vote could not be confirmed.
