Governor Albert Bryan Jr. (D) of the United States Virgin Islands recently met with President Donald Trump and fellow governors at the White House to discuss shared priorities and opportunities for collaboration between state and federal governments. Among the key topics discussed were economic development, regulatory reform, education funding, and public safety.
Governor Bryan highlighted several areas where the US Virgin Islands and the federal government can work together to drive progress. One major point of discussion was the restart of the oil refinery, which presents a significant economic opportunity for the territory. The Governor emphasized the need for streamlined federal regulations to ensure that projects of this scale can move forward more efficiently, boosting job creation and economic growth.
Another critical issue raised was the federal regulatory process that often delays essential projects. Governor Bryan and other governors advocated for deregulating certain federal projects to reduce bureaucratic red tape and expedite much-needed infrastructure and economic initiatives.
On the topic of education, Governor Bryan pressed for the block granting of federal funds to the USVI Department of Education. He explained that the current funding system is burdened with excessive administrative hurdles, making it difficult to effectively allocate resources to students and schools in the US Virgin Islands. By block-granting funds, the territory would have greater flexibility to meet local educational needs without unnecessary federal oversight, per Bryan.
Public safety and security were also at the forefront of the discussion. Governor Bryan underscored the importance of federal and local law enforcement collaboration to remove bad actors from the US Virgin Islands, particularly individuals who are in the territory illegally. He also called for stronger federal efforts to curb the flow of drugs, including fentanyl, into the islands and to ensure that those who threaten the safety and well-being of Virgin Islanders face serious consequences.
“Today’s meeting was a productive opportunity to ensure that the Virgin Islands’ needs are understood at the highest levels of government,” said Governor Bryan. “By working together with the federal government, we can drive economic growth, improve public safety, and ensure that our residents receive the resources they deserve.”
Governor Bryan emphasized his commitment to fostering strong federal partnerships to advance the interests of the US Virgin Islands and vowed to continue working with the administration and Congress to push for policies that support the territory’s economic and social well-being.
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