U.S. Virgin Islands

The authority's CEO said it has no money for facilty maintenance.

The governor should have involved the legislature earlier in decision making on how to give the Water and Power Authority money to make a bond payment, lawmakers said.

The state of emergency will let the governor use the central government's rainy-day fund to provide money to WAPA that semi-autonomous agencies of his government owe the authority. WAPA will use the money to make payments to bondholders and other creditors starting Tuesday.

Congress has taken no significant action on bills that would stop the depletion of the United States Virgin Islands' government pension system for 21 months.

Governor says the money would be used to get through the slow winter revenue months.

The reserve should have enough to cover bond payments for a year, according to an observer.

The bill would require government agencies to undertake an independent audit and a public comment period before entering into P3s among other provisions.

Loss of aid could hurt the islands' economy, a local senator says.

CEO Andrew Smith says authority is taking steps toward settling its outstanding debt.

Sponsors say bill is a chance to have territories' needs addressed.