Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has signed off on the fiscal year 2027 spending plan, which directs $739.2 million from the General Fund toward core government operations alongside dedicated funding for hospitals, schools, universities and other public services.
The governor's letter approving 27 budget-related bills went to Senate President Milton Potter on October 2. The 36th Legislature passed the measures on September 25, and they reached Government House on September 28. The official announcement came October 3, marking the second day of the new fiscal year.
The primary government operations appropriation stands at $739,218,837. Beyond that, the budget allocates $66.5 million to the Virgin Islands Hospital and Health Facilities Corporation, roughly $34.1 million to the University of the Virgin Islands, and $32.5 million in General Fund backing for the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority.
Capital projects across the three islands will receive $5 million in total: St. Croix gets $2 million, while St. Thomas and St. John each receive $1.5 million. The judiciary and related offices will have $49.5 million available, and the Legislature receives $26.1 million.
Education priorities include $500,000 dedicated to finishing, editing and printing hardcover history textbooks for the territory and completing a kindergarten-through-eighth-grade social studies curriculum. The governor also signed legislation that changes how funds flow into and are used from the Virgin Islands Water and Power Generating and Infrastructure Fund.
Bryan stated the spending plan "allows us to continue the work of delivering the services our people depend on while keeping the government on stable financial footing." He expressed gratitude to lawmakers, saying "completing the budget is one of our most important shared responsibilities."
The budget approval followed weeks of legislative discussion in which senators voiced worries over tax revenue performance, unpaid bills carried over from prior years, and whether federal money would reach projects on schedule. Legislators characterized the spending as cautious but called for stronger tax collection efforts and stricter management of public funds.
This represents the final budget proposal of the Bryan-Roach administration.
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