Senate confirms Port Authority and contractors-board nominees after debate over St. Croix airport conditions
March 18, 2026 | Legislative, Virgin Islands, International
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Senators debated nominations for the Virgin Islands Port Authority and the Board of Contractor Trades and Crafts on March 18 and then voted to approve the governor’s nominees.
Senator Alma Francis Hiliger and others gave floor statements supporting the three Port Authority nominees—Willard John, Leona Smith and Celestino A. White Sr.—while several senators raised concerns about airport maintenance and St. Croix representation on the board. Senator Kennet L. Gittens flagged a potential statutory limit on board service during remarks but legal counsel later advised the Legislature that its actions did not run afoul of Title 3, section 65A.
Roll calls recorded on the floor show each Port Authority nominee passed in recorded votes; the transcript reports initial tallies (e.g., 11 yays, three nays, one absent for the first three nominees). Joseph Donahghue, governor’s nominee for the Board of Contractor Trades and Crafts, received stronger support and was approved with 14 yays and one absent.
Why it matters: The Port Authority oversees critical transport gateways and semi-autonomous revenues; board composition and oversight affect airport and harbor projects. The confirmations resolve vacancies and mean the agencies can continue planned infrastructure work.
What happens next: The clerk will forward the confirmed names to the governor for final consideration and appointment processing.
Senator Alma Francis Hiliger and others gave floor statements supporting the three Port Authority nominees—Willard John, Leona Smith and Celestino A. White Sr.—while several senators raised concerns about airport maintenance and St. Croix representation on the board. Senator Kennet L. Gittens flagged a potential statutory limit on board service during remarks but legal counsel later advised the Legislature that its actions did not run afoul of Title 3, section 65A.
Roll calls recorded on the floor show each Port Authority nominee passed in recorded votes; the transcript reports initial tallies (e.g., 11 yays, three nays, one absent for the first three nominees). Joseph Donahghue, governor’s nominee for the Board of Contractor Trades and Crafts, received stronger support and was approved with 14 yays and one absent.
Why it matters: The Port Authority oversees critical transport gateways and semi-autonomous revenues; board composition and oversight affect airport and harbor projects. The confirmations resolve vacancies and mean the agencies can continue planned infrastructure work.
What happens next: The clerk will forward the confirmed names to the governor for final consideration and appointment processing.
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