Episode Details

Part 2 - Host Neville James is joined by Senator Novelle Francis, Chair of the Budget, Appropriations and Finance Committee, to discuss the upcoming FY2027 Virgin Islands budget, current revenues and expectations for increased collections driven by disaster recovery projects. They also examine key fiscal issues including WAPA’s ongoing energy challenges, federal funding reliance, property tax revenues, and the importance of accountability and performance based budgeting. The discussion broadens to long-term priorities like food security, agriculture development, and infrastructure improvements, with both emphasizing the need for strategic investment and coordinated planning to strengthen the territory’s economy.