School buses in the territory are expected to roll for the reopening of school on Sept. 11, now that funding apparently has been identified to pay for the service.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull is expected to announce by mid-day Friday that, after a meeting with members of the 23rd Legislature on Thursday morning, he has found the funds needed to operate the buses. Government House spokesman James O'Bryan said Turnbull will provide details in an address Friday.
The developments emerged from a meeting the governor called with Democratic senators to discuss budgetary matters, O'Bryan said. Senate President Vargrave Richards, who is out of the territory, was the only Democratic lawmaker not in attendance.
Sen. Gregory Bennerson, a Republican, also attended the meeting, O'Bryan said.
O'Bryan declined to say whether what has previously been described as $5.4 million for busing will be provided in the Fiscal Year 2001 budget in the form of a line-item appropriation that Turnbull will submit to the Senate. "The governor will have the full details on Friday," he responded.
Plans first to charge pupils for and then to cancel school bus service had caused emotions to run high in the community as lawmakers have scrambled in recent weeks to identify funding to continue bus service for the coming school year.
At least three senators have suggested that bond proceeds be used to cover the costs of the service.