A cartoon showing USVI leaders displaying top-ranked salaries, while a map highlights Puerto Rico’s stagnant pay—spotlighting growing local outrage. Photo: VIC

The raises, which took effect quietly on December 2, 2024, triggered public uproar particularly in the wake of ongoing issues with healthcare, energy costs and infrastructure among other deficiencies. Lawmakers in the 36th Legislature are now scheduled to convene a formal session on June 4 to consider legislation aimed at rescinding the salary hikes, which were implemented automatically due to the Legislature’s failure to act within a 90-day review window as outlined in VIPOCC’s enabling statute.

Governor Bryan’s new annual compensation of $192,000 surpasses the salaries of 41 out of 50 U.S. state governors and every other territorial chief executive except the USVI itself. In stark contrast, Puerto Rico’s governor earns $70,000—a figure unchanged since 1989. The lieutenant governor’s salary of $168,000 trails only those of New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, and far exceeds the national average of approximately $118,000 for the position.

Unlike Puerto Rico, which has no official lieutenant governor position, the USVI maintains both roles with full-time statutory salaries. The discrepancy in pay between the two neighboring territories—just 30 minutes apart by air—has further fueled debate about fiscal responsibility, transparency, and public service ethos in the Virgin Islands.

Following the release of the VIPOCC report—which was emailed to then-Senate President Novelle Francis (who later claimed he never received it)—the Legislature was expected to hold a public hearing to discuss the recommendations and inform the public. Under the law, if no legislative action was taken within 90 days, the recommendations would automatically take effect. That’s exactly what happened: the public was only made aware after the raises had already gone into effect. The sequence of events sparked significant distrust among community members, with many questioning the integrity of the process—especially as Mr. Francis claimed not to have received the email, and Government House issued its first statement only after the increases were implemented.

The raises also apply to twelve other central government officials as listed in the VIPOCC report, which recommended adjustments ranging from 2.2% to over 25%. These include top positions such as the Attorney General (+13.8%), Commissioner of Human Services (+2.2%), and the Virgin Islands Inspector General (+3.4%).

Gov. Bryan defends pay raise while Lt. Gov. asked for it to be rescinded 

Governor Bryan has defended the increases, citing the need for competitive compensation to attract and retain qualified leadership. “This salary hasn’t changed in 20 years. If an independent commission isn’t trustworthy enough to suggest government salaries, what is?” he asked in a recent interview with the Consortium.

He also noted his administration’s fiscal achievements, including the repayment of retroactive wages, subsidized housing, elimination of the government's $20 million WAPA bill, and stabilization of the Government Employees’ Retirement System (GERS). “We saved a retirement system that would be broke today,” Bryan said.

Yet, many Virgin Islanders are not convinced. Critics argue that while executive compensation has increased, basic public services continue to lag.

Lieutenant Governor Roach himself has distanced from the raises, calling on the governor to rescind them and citing concerns over the commission’s integrity—particularly after Bryan appointed former VIPOCC chair Haldane Davies to lead the Bureau of Economic Research. Bryan dismissed the criticism, affirming that the appointments were merit-based and within legal bounds. Mr. Roach, who has indicated plans to run for governor, did not respond to The Consortium's request for comment regarding when he became aware of Davies’s selection as director of the Bureau of Economic Research.

If the June 4 session results in a legislative rollback, it could set a precedent for stricter oversight of compensation adjustments tied to automatic provisions. If not, court intervention may be the next step.