Whether or not you support the stimulus funding awarded by the federal government, Jim Acosta’s accusations toward the U.S. Virgin Islands is unfounded. He not only criticizes how the stimulus funding was spent within the islands, he objects to them being awarded funding at all. The U.S. Virgin Islands (St. John, St. Croix, and St. Thomas) have been a territory of the United States since 1917 and all residents pay U.S. Federal Taxes. Acosta uses the term ‘America’s Paradise’ sarcastically as if this is enough to prove that the islands do not need and are not entitled to federal funding. The U.S. Virgin Island hosts over 2 million visitors per year while 28.9% of island residents live below the poverty line. This island territory has a right to federal funds, and arguably needs stimulus dollars more than some U.S. States to boost the local economy as well as to improve island infrastructure for a better tourist experience.
The implementation and use of stimulus funds is also criticized in Acosta’s report. His first criticism is the number of jobs created. Although 152 jobs looks like a small number, it can have a large impact on a small population. Next, Acosta targets the attempt to create a Solar Hot Water Heater program. A major focus of the stimulus was to address energy efficiency issues. The solar program would not only increase energy security and reduce emissions, but all hot water heaters are slated to be manufactured in the U.S. Virgin islands creating more jobs and achieving energy independence. The multiplier effect of dollars being spent in local economies is clearly not considered in CNN’s report.
Instead of pointing to any good progress the U.S. Virgin Islands has made, Acosta points to the lack of reporting on 
where stimulus money is spent. This is an important aspect of the stimulus funding and transparency is crucial. The investigation into the lack of reporting by CNN did prompt the governor to write the first report. Unfortunately for CNN, this one fault is not enough to prove its point. The story appears to lack a solid foundation and clearly targets the ‘American Paradise’ and territories that are not ‘entitled’ to stimulus funding. Acosta finished the report by making clear his surprise at Puerto Rico being given the most stimulus money out of any U.S. Territory ($2 billion) which is “more than 20 other States.” What he fails to mention is that Puerto Rico’s population of 3,967,228, makes it the 27th most populated State or Territory in the country. As the Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands says about stimulus funding, “even paradise needs it.”
