“We can take it from people like Marlon [Penn] and myself. We could take it back from the top,” Skelton said. “It can be a balancing act.”
At-Large Representative Hon. Ronnie Skelton is calling for greater tax relief for low-income earners, suggesting that the threshold for non-taxable income be increased and offset by higher contributions from top earners, including himself.
Speaking on rising cost of living in the Virgin Islands, Skelton said soaring fuel prices and economic pressures are leaving families struggling to survive.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that our people are hurting,” Skelton said, pointing to government figures showing a family of four needs roughly $23,700 annually to get by, while some government contracts offer a maximum of $10,000.
The Opposition Member argued that more support is needed for vulnerable families, including increasing the level of non-taxable income for those at the lower end of the salary scale.
“We can take it from people like Marlon [Penn] and myself. We could take it back from the top,” Skelton said. “It can be a balancing act.”
He warned that unless global economic conditions improve, residents will continue to face difficult times and elected leaders must find solutions to ease the burden.
Opposition Leader Marlon Penn backed measures to put more money into the hands of residents, saying vulnerable families need stronger support systems to withstand economic shocks.
Penn said raising the income threshold is a positive move but urged policymakers to act.
“Don’t talk it, do it for the people,” Penn said. “The people need a little more in their pocket to do more for themselves and their families.”
Speaking on rising cost of living in the Virgin Islands, Skelton said soaring fuel prices and economic pressures are leaving families struggling to survive.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that our people are hurting,” Skelton said, pointing to government figures showing a family of four needs roughly $23,700 annually to get by, while some government contracts offer a maximum of $10,000.
The Opposition Member argued that more support is needed for vulnerable families, including increasing the level of non-taxable income for those at the lower end of the salary scale.
“We can take it from people like Marlon [Penn] and myself. We could take it back from the top,” Skelton said. “It can be a balancing act.”
He warned that unless global economic conditions improve, residents will continue to face difficult times and elected leaders must find solutions to ease the burden.
Opposition Leader Marlon Penn backed measures to put more money into the hands of residents, saying vulnerable families need stronger support systems to withstand economic shocks.
Penn said raising the income threshold is a positive move but urged policymakers to act.
“Don’t talk it, do it for the people,” Penn said. “The people need a little more in their pocket to do more for themselves and their families.”
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