Tekknikal
11-30-2007, 08:06 PM
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Misc/IMG_0614.jpg" alt="" />
The VI's senate is currently working on passing a bill into law which may directly impact the car racing scene. Click forward for StreetSeen's initial break down of the ongoing situation.
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While we have yet to assemble the original documents regarding the matter, the following is our understanding of the current situation:
Senate President Usie Richards has proposed a bill (No 27-0128, Act amending 32 Virgin Islands Code, section 210) which would require the Housing, Parks and Recreation commissioner to write quarterly and annual profit and loss (P&L) statements of automobile races held in the Virgin Islands.
The bill has already passed the Housing, Sports, and Veterans Affairs Committee. Next, the bill will be put before the Rules and Judiciary Committee. If the bill passes there, it will be put before the full senate to vote, which may happen as soon as their Dec 6 & 7 session.
There are some issues however.
The idea behind the bill is to enforce transparency from the Automobile Racing Commission. However, the Caribbean Drag Racing Association, which promotes and holds events at the track, is not currently- and would not under the new bill- be required to submit P&L information to any agencies. As a result, even if the bill were to pass in its current form, the Commissioner of Housing, Parks, and Recreation would not be able to provide the required reports to the legislature.
Senator Richards has already commented that he intends on amending the legislation to require the reports be first sent to the Commissioner of Housing, Parks and Recreation.
Why should the Caribbean Drag Racing Association be required to submit P&L reports? One word: Accountability.
Earlier this year, the Legislature put $400,000 (of Virgin Islanders tax money) toward fixing the drag strip.
What might the impact be on the racing scene? Hard to say, but if money is being distributed and accounted for properly, the effects should be minimal to nonexistent. Otherwise, any number of scenarios may be possible.
The Automobile Racing Commission is setup to mirror the Horse Racing Commission, who faces similar legislation. Backing the laws are Sen. Neville James, Sen. Usie Richards, Sen. Carmen Wesselhoft, Sen. Alvin Williams, and Sen Celestino White Sr., who all voted in favor of the new legislation. Senators Louis Hill and Shawn-Michael Malone did not attend the meeting.
For the report from the daily news <a href="http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/index.pl/article_home?id=17617803">click here</a>. For the report from the St Croix source <a href="http://www.onepaper.com/stcroixvi/?v=d&i=&s=News:Local&p=1201844446">click here</a>. Stay tuned to StreetSeen for more on this new legislation.
Many thanks to our own twincityfinest for pointing out this ongoing situation.
The VI's senate is currently working on passing a bill into law which may directly impact the car racing scene. Click forward for StreetSeen's initial break down of the ongoing situation.
<!--more-->
While we have yet to assemble the original documents regarding the matter, the following is our understanding of the current situation:
Senate President Usie Richards has proposed a bill (No 27-0128, Act amending 32 Virgin Islands Code, section 210) which would require the Housing, Parks and Recreation commissioner to write quarterly and annual profit and loss (P&L) statements of automobile races held in the Virgin Islands.
The bill has already passed the Housing, Sports, and Veterans Affairs Committee. Next, the bill will be put before the Rules and Judiciary Committee. If the bill passes there, it will be put before the full senate to vote, which may happen as soon as their Dec 6 & 7 session.
There are some issues however.
The idea behind the bill is to enforce transparency from the Automobile Racing Commission. However, the Caribbean Drag Racing Association, which promotes and holds events at the track, is not currently- and would not under the new bill- be required to submit P&L information to any agencies. As a result, even if the bill were to pass in its current form, the Commissioner of Housing, Parks, and Recreation would not be able to provide the required reports to the legislature.
Senator Richards has already commented that he intends on amending the legislation to require the reports be first sent to the Commissioner of Housing, Parks and Recreation.
Why should the Caribbean Drag Racing Association be required to submit P&L reports? One word: Accountability.
Earlier this year, the Legislature put $400,000 (of Virgin Islanders tax money) toward fixing the drag strip.
What might the impact be on the racing scene? Hard to say, but if money is being distributed and accounted for properly, the effects should be minimal to nonexistent. Otherwise, any number of scenarios may be possible.
The Automobile Racing Commission is setup to mirror the Horse Racing Commission, who faces similar legislation. Backing the laws are Sen. Neville James, Sen. Usie Richards, Sen. Carmen Wesselhoft, Sen. Alvin Williams, and Sen Celestino White Sr., who all voted in favor of the new legislation. Senators Louis Hill and Shawn-Michael Malone did not attend the meeting.
For the report from the daily news <a href="http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/index.pl/article_home?id=17617803">click here</a>. For the report from the St Croix source <a href="http://www.onepaper.com/stcroixvi/?v=d&i=&s=News:Local&p=1201844446">click here</a>. Stay tuned to StreetSeen for more on this new legislation.
Many thanks to our own twincityfinest for pointing out this ongoing situation.