Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
PHILIPSBURG--Increase the one-per-cent foreign exchange levy to five per cent for remittances to bring in more government revenues, suggested United People’s (UP) party Member of Parliament Maurice Lake in the Central Committee meeting of Parliament on Thursday.
“Everybody must pay their fair share, and this is one way to tap into this sector, where hundreds of thousands, if not millions, leave the country annually for other islands or countries,†Lake said in the meeting dealing with the draft 2015 budget. The session was attended by the Council of Ministers.
The increase in the levy for remittances will help government’s tight finances, as will the increase of contribution from government-owned companies, he said.
“Look at cutting the travel budget within government and Parliament,†Lake said, calling on both tiers to only make “necessary travel†and “use electronic technology†to have meetings to reduce flight and accommodation costs.
A reduction of high spending on water and electricity bills by government is also needed. “Imagine, we are spending thousands of guilders on electricity at the new government building. Lights on, but nobody at home.â€
He called for cutbacks where possible on renting buildings by government and for the purchase of vehicles, instead of leasing/renting, the set-up of a better maintenance programme for vehicles and restructure the policies regulating the use of the capital expenditure budget.
The MP wants government to build more affordable houses with funds via a bond from the Central Bank of Curacao and St. Maarten.
He supports independent MP Cornelius de Weever’s Counterpart Proposal. The proposal seeks to create employment and training for St. Maarten people via appointments alongside “foreign†employees, especially managers and other skilled jobs.
The proposal has to be implemented with the support of the social partners, he said. “I agree that there should be accompanying incentives, such as an exemption on wage tax for example, but I do believe where there is a will there is a way.â€
Lake also wants government to create a development plan for Emilio Wilson Estate, the Vorst property and Over the Bank for housing and job creation.
A “one destination†approach is needed for “more balanced development†between the Dutch and French sides on a joint sewage plant and other projects that can be “mutually†beneficial.
Among his other suggestions, Lake, who was a minister up to December 19, 2014, called on government to implement an emergency fund with a minimum NAf. 5 million for clean-up and recovery after disasters such as hurricanes.
Lake started off his presentation in Parliament calling the draft budget the Wescot-Williams III Cabinet budget. He said the budget could not be tagged to the Gumbs Cabinet that took office just over a month ago. He was admonished by Parliament Chairman Dr. Lloyd Richardson to keep the debate above board, especially after former Prime Minister, now MP Sarah Wescot-Williams said she was not involved with the budget after demitting office just over a month ago.
