LA to begin budget debate
(CNS): The members of the Legislative Assembly will be debating the content of the government’s 2011/12 budget this afternoon when the House resumes at 2:30pm. Following the late night presentation by the premier on Friday night, the opposition leader is expected to present his response followed by the independent member. The budget documents, which contain the full financial details, were delivered to all members of the country’s parliament over the weekend, and despite the reported cuts and a predicted surplus, government expenses still outstrip last year’s figure. However, government is expecting to collect over $18 million more in revenue this coming financial year to cover its increased spending.
The overall public spending for the coming year, including government companies and statutory authorities, is predicted to be more than $703 million but government hopes to collect more than $707 million in revenue, leaving an overall public surplus of more than $4 million.
The public sector salary bill, despite reported cuts, the roll back of the cost of living allowances and a moratorium on recruitment, remains high. The bill for government personnel has risen to almost $330 million compared to the budgeted figure for 2010/11 of over $318 million.
Check back to CNS later today for more details on the budget and the LA debate.
Category: Politics
How much past due taxes do the developer of the Ritz Carlton owe this country? Payment of this outstanding amount should help our budget tremendously.
wow.. i have to make presentations at work in a timely manner, and… this guy gets to have a clerk from london proof read it. that's a perk, people!!!
I hope that there is a sensible debate(if allowed)on both sides.Please stop the blame game Mr.Premier and other cabinet members.This is not the time to continue such childish behaviour.One other thing please stop saying the words Madame Speaker so many times during debates.
The budget has been done…Dart owns Cayman now!!!
This man terrifies me. He is just running roughshod over all aspects of transparency and due process.
He complains that the UK is asking difficult questions about the budget – thank XXXX, someone has to. This Govt is $600 million in debt. This figure does not include future pension and health liabilities which are likely to push the real debt figure over $1billion.
He is refusing to cut the size of the civil service. He jets around the world claiming it’s in the name of ‘investment’ cf. Trip to Venice to visit dam built by company that was going to build the port. Oh wait, what does he do, he cancels that contract and hops into bed with the Chinese. The same Chinese who are going to extend the new airport runway and rebuild the airport. XXXX
Does he care? Does he XXXX. He’s double-dipping, claiming a salary and his pension so he can get as much money as possible before everything goes very wrong and he retires to his apartment in the ritz and hangs out with his mate Mike Ryan who owes the country $6.5 million XXXX when he’s made as much money out of cayman as possible.
XXXXX
Also, meanwhile, the XXXX yute dem are out of control running around killing, robbing and just having the time of their lives.
The dump may or may not get sorted out. The so-called economic zone that he had to travel to Dubai about – what’s happening with that?!!
XXXXX
What else could i talk about….hmmm, lets see, the unfinished schools….Cayman airways, the hospital and the turtle farm bleeding money. The Govt Departments not having filed proper acoounts for 5!!! YEARS!!!! Oh wait, he is pushing through legisaltion now that will say they dont have to file financials until 2013..
Thank God!
Debate? How can there be a debate with a majority party government
I have had to field queries this week about the rumours that Cayman is now taxing hedge funds to pay for local electricity bills. Sadly I had to confirm that this was not a rumour.
just another example of this government using the private sector to pay for their economic incompetence……..
Crime, crime, crime, crime. There, I've used the word three more times than McKeeva did in his Friday night bedtime story.
Message to MLA's:-
please note that the governor's vacation has been extended until next week wednesday. if you need immediate assistance, please call 1-800 London Desk Clerk". your call will be forwarded to a voice cue where you will be ask to kindly sing "god save the queen" before reply
thank you for your longsuffering and patience
Please don't take it personal, but if they could get some small business paid, that the small businesses could pay their creditors-that would be awesome. I understand, but it's killing a lot of business.
2 + 2 = 6
Premier's budget thought process:
"Mystery figures + Wishful thinking + Abra Cadabra Ala Kazam! = Voila – budget surplus!
Gosh – this stuff is so easy and painless – why is everyone making such a big deal about it??
Tra la la – off to plan next jetsetting getaway…. I wonder if that sheik I met in Dubai will loan me his mega yacht for the Summer. Hmm – perhaps if I promise to give him Little Cayman…"
Mac: Madam Speaka, we are here today for a debate about da budget. But there is going to be no debate because I say so.
The rise in the personnel costs says it all. There is no real discipline in either the government or the civil service, at least not the sort that would make any real difference to our financial position. Our problem is not revenue, it is expenditure on a bloated and full of perks civil service and on outrageous "vanity"/political patronage capital projects like the overdesigned new schools, the Hilton hurricane shelter on the Brac and the paved carparks also on the Brac.
well said!…every where else in the world the civil service is being cut but back here in wonderland(cayman) our government promises no cuts of personell or salaries…..zzzzzz