Legislators make slow progress on workload

| 30/09/2011

(CNS): As members of the Legislative Assembly move into the third day of this current sitting, the law makers have made slow progress this week. Although they have managed to push the Special Economic Zone and the Auditor’s Bill through to their second readings and reject one private members motion, four other motions are still to be debated and government has failed to get its amendment to the national pensions law to the debate stage after it lost a vote to suspend Standing Orders on Wednesday because not enough government members were actually in the chamber. The government had wanted to debate the change to the law without the 21 days consultation period. (Photo Dennie Warren Jr)

When the premier moved to suspend the standing order that requires a 21 day notice period on all proposed bills brought to the LA, he lost the vote. All opposition members as well as the independent member were present and voted against the suspension but with only four other UDP members in the chamber at the time, the premier's move was thwarted.

On Thursday the meeting was scheduled to start at 10am with a full order paper, and although it didn't adjourn until well after 8pm, the lawmakers actual sat in the chamber for no more than two hours during the twelve hour long meeting.

The MLAs efforts to debate the independent member’s motion in the afternoon session on reducing fuel duty was stalled when personal animosity between members spilled over into a full scale row that saw the speaker abruptly suspend the proceedings. The legislators did not return to the chamber until around 7pm, only to have the House adjourned as the speaker ordered all the accusations made by various members struck from the Hansard.

The legislators are now expected to return to the LA this morning (Friday) to turn their attention to amendments in the immigration bill that will suspend rollover and introduce ten year permits. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 10:30am and is open to the public.

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Is it true? Is it true? PLEASE tell me Ellio finally got popped in the mouth like he has deserved for so long!

    If it is indeed true, and Alden was the one to do it – how do I nominate Alden for an OBE for services to humanity?

    Wish I'd been there to see it – LMAO. Hahhahahahahahah.

  2. Anonymous says:

    Read the new book "The Dictator's Handbook: Why Bad Behavior is Almost Always a Good Thing", by Bruce Bueno and Alastair Smith. It gives a great deal of insight into politics which could be applied to Cayman. You can also extrapolate where Cayman is going- and it's not a good thing….

  3. Anonymous says:

    Is it true that the  deputy premier is on vacation while the house is meeting?

  4. Anonymous says:

    "government has failed to get its amendment to the national pensions law to the debate stage after it lost a vote to suspend Standing Orders on Wednesday because not enough government members were actually in the chamber."

    What de F@CK were they too busy doing to even show up to Parliment?

    Gaddamn, do your flipping JOB!

     

    • Mad Sq Garden says:

      Judges Card Zero to Two TKO UDP 

      JJ and ES 

      Next match up ??

  5. Anonymous says:

    ALDEN  (MIKE TYSON) MCLAUGHLIN LANDED A RIGHT HAND ON  ELIO ( PRIDE OF HUMANITY) SOLOMON JAW, during that sitting of legislative yestery day. i made it my business to go there and check out the allegation.  i spoke someone who conformed that it did happen.  ELIO face is still swollen. bo boi guess that you are back down to earth now. you earn respect not demand it

  6. Anonymous says:

    ANIMOSITY BETWEEN MEMBERS.  I HEARD THAT THEY EVEN HAD A FIGHT .  It seems that  the leader of the opposition let mr big mouth ELIO SOLOMON  had it after he elio used some some disturbing words to ALDIN in the confrence room. i can tell you  that at this minute his FACE IS STILL SWOLLEN, but he being very respectful to everybody today.  ALDIN what took you so long bo bo

  7. Knot S Smart says:

    Does anyone know whose mouth cushioned a fist in the LA yesterday?

    Rumours are flying.

    • Stiffed-Necked Fool says:

      I have wanted to do that myself for a long time, thanks bro!

    • Anonymous says:

      The one who like to attack other MLAs family members. Too bad its not on TV

  8. I wonder says:

    Why did the speaker remove the accusations from the record? Is she also heavily influenced by the Government?

     

  9. so anonymous says:

    One very expensive circus.  Over payed, undereducated, unmotivated, self centered, incompetent, but most importantly real Caymanians.

  10. I hear says:

    I hear there was a serious isse in the house yesterday with members of the Government refusing to follow the speakers directions and refusing to keep quiet. Apparently it got so bad the speaker had to leave the chamber and compose herself. Is this really why we elected these people ? To make a mockery of our Parliament? Is there any wonder our society has become so lawless?

    SHAME ON ANYONE WHO THINKS THEY ARE BIGGER THAN OUR PARLIAMENT AND BY EXTENSION THE PEOPLE

    • Anonymous says:

      I fully agree with you, although I also find it hard to have any respect for the Speaker of the House.

    • so see says:

      Apparently it is.  And with huge salaries, double dipping pensions, free healthcare,(you pay for) cars, gas, etc. and they don't even show up for important work who is the bigger fool?

      THE PEOPLE

    • Anonymous says:

      Shame on the people that believe robbing CUC is a good thing….. the Cayman Islands have gone to the dogs when people think like that.

  11. Foolio says:

    It hard to get any wuk done when I keeps walkin into dat lunch room door frame. My eye black up so I cyan see to read. An my lip pop up so I cyan really talk…….

  12. Anonymous says:

    Since the accusations have been striken from the record by the speaker would the press care to inform the public what they were? We can't all go watch the circus.

  13. Anonymous says:

    I hope our legislators read this very carefully before they start messing around with policies that will bring social problems to this country here it is read it one and all before you go changing laws to the disadvantage of Caymanians http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15090597

    • Anonymous says:

      Umm, did you read the article?   The person awarded residency in the case you have linked had been resident in Hong Kong for 25 years.. and it might also be worth considering the population of Hong Kong also before drawing comparisons to Cayman.

  14. Anonymous says:

    A day in the life of an MLA:

    10:00am: alarm clock goes off

    11:00am: chaeuffer arrives to take you to Ritz for breakfast, pay wth govt credit card

    1pm: go from Ritz breakfast to Camana Bay for lunch meeting, paid for by Ken Dart

    2pm: go to bank to check pension, salary, daily allowance and reimbursement from the first class trip to Dubai have all been paid in.  Hand in debit card since you don't use it any more

    3pm: go to LA, present motion to adjourn until following day

    4pm: announce to press on steps of LA that the government is trying diligently to wade through a huge workload while the opposition is "playing politics".  Take credit for crime reduction

    5pm: cocktail reception. Start anti-expat rant until someone reminds you it's an ex-pat party. switch to anti-rollover rant

    7pm: 5 course dinner with wine pairings, paid for by some Chinese guys who seem nice but keep asking you to sign something about a cruise terminal

    10pm: chauffeur has to swerve to avoid some bodies in the road on the way home. Call press conference for the next day to express frustration that the government has nothing to do with crime which is completely the job of the commissioner / governor.

    Set alarm for 11am tomorrow-  been a busy day

    • Anonymous says:

      09.53.  If they taxed comedy on CNS and hypocrisy in the house, there'd be no financial deficit. I believe CNS should open a vote for the best comedic contribution each month, and the prize should be a pair of earplugs for instant  use when exposed to unendurable  LA broadcasts as well as dangerous emergencies, such as unexpected  exposure to toxic telephone chat shows, which can lead to permanent  brain damage.

  15. But Wait! says:

    They should borrow one of the NRA's "Slow Men Working" signs to put outside the building.

  16. Anonymous says:

    cig incompetence never ends….

    • Anonymous says:

      There is no personal profit in reading the reasoned views of the populace.

  17. Anonymous says:

    Legislators seem to move quick on things that they will benefit aka the TECH zone.  The rest they will not get any personal financial gain, therefore who cares!