Penn dodges ‘Greedy Bill’ pay cut calls, pivots to economy
Opposition Leader Marlon Penn declined to commit to a pay cut for lawmakers when pressed on the issue, instead arguing that the Virgin Islands’ challenges stem from how public funds are managed rather than from the level of politicians’ salaries.
During an interview on the Talking Points radio programme recently, Penn faced direct questions about whether elected officials should take a reduction in pay amid public complaints about rising costs and economic pressure. The issue was framed as both symbolic and practical, with hosts suggesting that “people are struggling to make ends meet” and that leadership should “set the tone.”
Penn did not endorse a pay cut.
“What I say is that… BVI doesn’t have a money problem; we have a management problem,” he stated.
He argued that government revenues are at “record levels” and that borrowing has increased, but these resources have not translated into relief for residents.
Pressed again on whether cost-cutting should include elected officials, Penn maintained his position. “I am in favour of us effectively managing the economy… to ensure that the people of the territory feel the benefit of the economic gains,” he said.
Inefficiencies in government spending
During the interview, Penn acknowledged that economic pressures are real but pointed to inefficiencies in government spending. He highlighted issues such as delayed payments to contractors and high rental costs for government offices as areas where savings could be realised.
“Businesses… have to wait weeks and sometimes months… to get paid,” he said, noting that this adds financial strain to the private sector.
He also suggested that operational costs could be reduced.
“We’re spending close to $10 million in rental income,” Penn said, referencing funds spent on government office space.
The controversial “Greedy Bill” — formally the Retiring Allowances (Legislative Services) (Amendment) Act, 2021 — triggered widespread public backlash after granting lawmakers generous salary increases, gratuities and post-term payments, particularly as it coincided with rising living costs and calls for financial relief.
During the 2023 election campaign, several politicians, including Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley, publicly promised to reject or not collect the benefits, with Premier Wheatley stating he would not take “a dime” of the post-term payouts.
However, decisions on whether to accept the payments were left to individual lawmakers, and some had not formally declined them, fuelling continued public criticism over accountability and transparency.
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Marlon is a snake. He supported the greedy bill. He is one that will benefit fully from it. He will be getting a monthly salary for years after he is no longer in government. If he is serious let him write to say that he will not be taking the money. Natalio said he will be taking it. We need to see his letter stating so to.
All 13 seeking reelections are snakes in the grass. They are all greedy, they all took the Greedy Bill and tried to hide it. So, I am choosing wisely next election.
All 13 do not qualify you sn**e. The new reps do not qualify and will not receive any golden parachutes like Marlon, Mitch, Myron, Ronnie, Shari, Natalio, Kye, Vincent & Frazer. The rest are not eligible.
Talk what you know. Spreading rumors and misinformation- go ask CsC he got the facts
The greedy bill will give a salary every month to some members of House of Assembly for multiple years. The members who benefit from your tax money like this are:
Natalio Wheatley
Julian Fraser
Sharie Decastro
Kye Rymer
Vincent Wheatley
Marlon Pemn
Mitch Turbull
All of them voted in support of the greedy bill with Andrew Fahie. Some of them who served for a long time will collect over a million dollars of your tax money. Julian Fraser and Marlon Penn will be getting the most money over 1 million dollars each.
Marlon will dodge the greedy bill because he was not against it. He stand to benefit a huge sum of money when he leaves politics. If he loves the BVI he should refuse the money not dodge the question. They don’t love the BVI. They just interested in what they could get. Marlon Penn is one of them. Give back the greedy bill money.
Marlon voted with Andrew for the greedy bill. He will get over a million dollars from it when he is done with politics.
Can somebody please tell Marlon that nobody except a handful of east end people want him to be Premier. We do not have confidence in you. We do not see you as a leader. If the choice is between Marlon and Natalio sad to say I would go with Natalio.
Are you absolutely certain about that?
What he know about the economy? The drug man don’t pay tax. Start with getting your buddies to pay tax on their illegal gains. That would help the economy LOL
I was Myron that raise that question during the campaign trail and called it greedy bill if someone can correct me, but from the time Myron raised it, there was outpouring of emotional criticism at the government for setting up their future enrichment scheme, and natalio and others were perfunctorily force to address it.
Marlon penn and all the others are a clique in the family entitlement elites club, they agree on things, that’s why everyone wanted Myron move from been opposition leader or come close to any leading position because they know he is not towing the line and would stand up for the people and justice, look around, neither John cline or Claude the least of them and the VIP or Ronnie raise an eyebrow about the trajectory the BVI is heading into, as a matter a fact they kicked Myron far so they can go to the UK to augment their power to do more without the governor or Myron interference.
Penn has straight up articulated that he has a working relationship with natalio.
The Greedy Bill needs to be Rescinded forthwith with the Support of ALL Members of HOA. Especially those who are seeking Re-Elections. Voters need to Demand that this Happens before Elections and All those who will Not Vote for it being Rescinded should be Voted out of Power. Once and For All, Voters MUST send a Strong Message to these People. It is Not their Money to take. Another one of the Scamming Tactics that Head Coach Mastered along with The Substance Trafficking and The People’s Social Security Funds. ALL POLITICIANS who were associated with Head Coach need to be Voted out of the HOA Like Yesterday. They were and are All……….. (You Know What).
The greedy bill from my understanding was rescinded but there were some reps who had already gotten the benefit of it and to denounce their benefits they had to write to the speaker saying so. None of them have done it. The ones benefiting and keeping the money even though the public is outraged I
are Marlon, fraser, Sharie, Mitch, Vincent, Natalio and Kye. These are the greedy bill culprits that joined with Andrew Fahie to enrich themselves. We need to call each of them out on it
If it is rescinded, why is a letter still required?
big daddy PENN , IS SAYING )> ALL -YO CRAZY OR WAH ? I JUST START ENJOYING THE MUNNY / SO LEH THE GOOD TIMES ROLL LEH IT FLOW LEH IT FLOW LEH THE DAM TING F L O W .
Not a good look often American politicians will take a pay cut or even move some of their own pay to pay for things important in there cities. Those are the good politicians rare but good.
Why and the country have marlon put in his years set of jealous people
The greedy bill is theft and robbery. Call it what it is. Some people work up to 40 years in government and can’t even get $3000.00 a month in Pension. Some put their lives in harms way daily protecting this country.This s**t is sickening.
NO HONOR AMONGST THIEVES ALL A THEM NEED TO GO
many of you all on here critizing would not have given it back either. The most important thing for me is that they removed it and no one else can benefit like that again. and don’t anyone else try it ever again.
Does the NDP realize that nobody studying them at all? The party has no energy. No momentum. The leader gets no attention and does not excite or motivate the public. Is the NDP really paying attention?
Well if indeed such is the Case, It makes it quite Simple.. VOTE OUT THE CULPRITS.. Unless All of Them Agree before Elections to Denounce that Benefit,
Their Names need to be the Main Topic on the Campaign Agenda and They MUST BE VOTED OUT!!!!!
Plain and Simple. That alone Says a lot about their Characters. That’s Seven (7) So Far need to Go!!!!
We are getting there. Six (6) More to Go!!! Please give US a Reason.. This Election Season Looks Like it’s going to Be SWEET!!!! No Green Flags in Trees and The Senegal Dude aint Going Cut it this Time around. No Obeah Forkery This Time Around!!!!
They all took tax money with a smile big undeserving increases, then denied regular workers minimum wage increase. They are selfish and greedy.
Hear dis ya!! You will quick see an orange mule flying across the sky before you see any cuts in the “Greedy” Bill. Opposition rarely side fully with government save for some national, urgent issue. Nevertheless, one area both government and opposition hold hand closely and sing kumbaya is elected members compensation When it comes to elected members compensation, conflict and disagreements, things are put on pause, harmony rises. However, when it comes to helping the lil man, things are back to their normal state. They will move mountains to keep the lil man from getting even crumbs from the table, eg, raising the minimum wage.
The government is taking home 100’s of thousands or millions (because they are crooks) while the public hospital doesn’t have a cardiologist. Keep in mind heart problems are the leading cause of death in men in the BVI. Put that money into something other than your pockets