I give away one-third of my salary each month
Territorial At-Large Representative Ronnie Skelton has bemoaned the hardship being faced by many Virgin Islanders, saying he is forced to give away one-third of his salary each month to struggling residents.
Skelton made the statement during the recent 2026 budget debate, as he challenged the positive picture painted by the government members who defended the planned spending for this year. Skelton said there is a disconnect between the plans in the 2026 budget and the realities being experienced by ordinary people.
“People are definitely having a hard time. I give away at least one-third of my salary on a monthly basis,” Skelton said. “I sit here, and I hear the government say what they want to do, but when you go out there, there is a disconnect. Whatever we’re doing, these lovely things, they’re not reaching the public.”
He then pressed the government to find practical ways to provide direct monetary assistance to residents, despite tighter financial rules imposed in the post-Commission of Inquiry era.
Drawing on his experience as a former finance minister, Skelton said he previously sought to make small-scale financial assistance more accessible to elected leaders, with limits and accountability built into the system. He said the government should aim to find a way to get money to struggling people and shouldn’t be deterred by past claims of abuse and corruption.
“There will be a few people who will try to get money from everybody. And if you don’t communicate with each other, some will apply for $1,000 and might get away with $10,000. Where there is money, people will not play by the rules, but there needs to be some system that is much easier,” Skelton advised.
His comments come amid the continued fallout from the UK-led Commission of Inquiry, which found that elected leaders had mismanaged discretionary funds over many years and ordered that financial support be directed through the Social Security Board. This shift has caused some uproar within the society, as some say the most vulnerable now have to wait a long time for government assistance.
Still, Skelton said the government must find practical ways to ease the immediate, day-to-day hardships residents are facing.
He suggested a focus on construction, saying it is a critical driver of real economic activity, as it provides residents with cash flow that can help them pay for food, housing and electricity. However, he told the government to refrain from relying on major developments such as the Prospect Reef project to stir economic activity, as these often come with serious complications that cause delays while people remain in desperate need of assistance.
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Not your cheap self. Chupes.
Yes he does; I can attest. When you don’t have a legitimate need, but a want to fund bad habits, he will not support and many are ok with that position. Real needs only; not wants.
He should give away all of it. God will provide.
That’s the mentality that is destroying this place. Persons believing in begging and entitled access to other peoples money and the money in the treasury. go earn your own money and get some pride.
all of them
Dos he really need it though since we rent his properties etc.???
He didn’t approach them; them approached the business. Hurry up rebuild the complex and remove your departments. It’s that simple. O the funds gone to family, friends and sidekicks.
Could give we a lil discount on rent as well since he’s in such a giving mood
He does not manage the company.
drop a lil thou on yuh boy then please (i said please)
Man doing more than most of you who dont give to one person a month in the year.
But can’t raise the pay of your employees that are struggling.. Paying employees little to nothing in this economy! Hope to see salary increase for them this year!
Go look another job then!
That is believable. If I have to give everyone that asks and dry beg I would be giving out a
minimum of $50 a day. Imagine what a Politician or some other persons with much more money would be giving. Some people beg and use the money on unnecessary things but there are alot of people out here with legitimate needs.
Is that what you are needing to sneak past airport security? You’re helping VI voters that are residents elsewhere?
If you pushed to get minimum wage and not your own salary that would residents here.
Just hoping the gentle man help the pensioners on their quest to get an increase relief.
remember his colleague said he the opposition can’t do nothing, so what do you want him to do again?
when you’re collecting all that money from the gov for leasing your warehouses you can “give away” your money to your family and friends.
I think they mean donating it all to his grandchildren not the community.
Just buying votes before the next election
If he was buying he won’t outright say this. I think what he’s doing speaks to the dire situation in our country. I applaud him for staying humble and compassionate to the ‘needs’ of others. Many out here helping others and it has nothing to do with politics; people are genuinely hurting.
You all like to taint stories to suit your agendas. Knowing skelly he won’t be passing any money for votes but will in fact help persons with legitimate needs. You all are a bunch of crabs. Fix the system so that people can access funds for legitimate needs. All 13 should give back 1/3 their monthly pay. Thanks Hon. Skelton.
This mentality that politicians are elected to give out money is a serious problem. Whether it’s their salary or tax payers money it seems we have become a country of entitled beggars with no shame. Elected members have a job and should be able to carry home their pay to take care of themselves and family like everyone else.
HEY WIGGIE ,SEEMS LIKE U CUM A ANSWERING MACHINE FOR RONNIE / ANYBODY ASK YOU ANY QUESTION , STAY ON YOUR YELLO SITE , U WANT TO RULE THIS SITE TOO , HE AIN’T DO AH SH*T FOR THAT MONEY AND WD DON’T BELIEVE AH WORD OUT OF HIS TRAP , JUST LIKE YOU , MR ESTEEMED SH*TTY ONE
So he is publicly admitting that he is buying votes. He has been a lame representative so he give out money instead. All 13 must go. He should be the first one. He has been there for 30 years and have nothing to show.
You dummy, need to check the record. What he did for the years benefits you more than it benefits him.
He does give away most of his salary monthly.
However, on another note the government must look into putting in place an unemployment scheme to help the people. We are a hotel based economy which is a seasonal business, what happens when people are out of work during the off season and need financial assistance? This is just one example. An unemployment system is needed badly. People are hurting and the Government must begin to care about the PEOPLE! God is hearing the cries of the people and He is watching!!
High colour elites,soothing the masses.
I need some too.