Gov. Charles W. Turnbull took to the airwaves Thursday night to plead his case for Legislative approval of his bill that would allow the government to borrow upward of $130 million.
He also used the television appearance to announce he was reducing his own salary by 10 percent, saying he had issued an order to that effect to the Finance Department.
Turnbull appeared on WTJX, the public broadcasting channel, at 7:30 p.m. to say if he was not allowed to borrow $100 million, he expected to have to lay off 2,500 government workers.
"I cannot permit massive layoffs and shortened work weeks," Turnbull said in defense of his request to borrow more money.
However, a Senate post audit report released just hours before the governor's speech called the bond issue a "bad idea."
"Long-term public borrowing cannot substitute for sound revenue enhancement," Post Auditor Campbell Malone wrote.
Turnbull sent to the Senate last week legislation that would issue bonds through the Public Finance Authority to pay off $35 million borrowed earlier this year to cover payroll for July, pay vendors whose services are critical, pay part of what is owed in back income tax returns, and provide money for early-retirement enhancements.
But Lorraine Berry, Finance Committee chair, told St. Thomas Source yesterday she didn't think the bill would pass.
"I'm leaning toward voting no," she said adding that most of the members of her committee seem similarly inclined.
This was before the auditor's report, ordered by Berry, was released.
Malone's report also said the closing costs on the loan were excessive in relation to the net proceeds.

Editors' note: For more information on the financial implications of the legislation click here. To go to the original story on the bond legislation click here.