Veterans Affairs asks for $1.22 million local budget as office presses for lottery and taxi‑medallion proceeds and raises concerns about costly air ambulance ev

The Virgin Islands Office of Veterans Affairs (OVA) asked the Senate Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance on June 30 to approve a $1,219,369 local FY2026 appropriation to support personnel, operating costs and a $450,000 pool for mainland elective medical travel and burial benefits.

Director Patrick Farrell told senators the office relies on a mix of local appropriations and non‑appropriated sources—historical lottery transfers and 20% of the proceeds of annual veterans taxi‑medallion auctions—to support operations. He said the office has not received expected transfers from the Virgin Islands Lottery for FY2025 and has not received proceeds from the taxi medallion auctions for 2021–2024.

Missing lottery and taxi proceeds

Farrell told senators a 2024 lottery release intended for the veterans office passed through OMB and Finance but "did not get to the office of veterans affairs." He said the lottery funds were redirected into the general fund at the executive level and that inquiries to OMB had not yet produced a clear trail showing final disposition to the OVA. Farrell said taxicab commission auction proceeds historically earmarked for veterans had not…