Frederick drops bid to raise Morris de Castro Grant ceiling

Senator Hubert Frederick abandoned a proposal Thursday to lift the Morris de Castro Grant's top award from $45,000 to $55,000 after Senator Kenneth Gittens pointed out that the full Legislature had previously decided to refer the matter to committee for review.

Frederick raised the non-germane amendment as Thursday's legislative session neared its close, saying the current ceiling did not adequately serve the two government workers who qualify annually: one each from the St. Croix and St. Thomas-St. John districts.

He told fellow lawmakers the grant helps recipients "further their education and their training," and that the existing funding level was insufficient. "The amount that's been allocated to this program is too low. It's been low, and all we're doing is making a minor tweak," he said.

Gittens pushed back immediately, noting that lawmakers had recently met in caucus and resolved to hold the measure pending committee discussion. He cited unresolved questions about how the program operates.

"I'm not sure why the amendment is being offered at this time now, when the decision was already made to not bring it forward today," Gittens said, urging the body to "do the right thing."

Frederick maintained that the increase mattered to his constituents, but ultimately withdrew the motion. It remains unclear whether the measure will go before a committee before the 36th Legislature concludes.