Gov’t facing cash flow issues
(CNS): Despite claims by the government that it is getting to grips with public finances, the opposition leader has said that the administration is once again facing problems paying bills. Alden McLaughlin said that several authorities have not been paid money expected from government, including CINICO, the National Roads Authority and Cayman Airways and, he added, it appears government is now anticipating yet another deficit this year. The opposition leader said government needed to update the country on what is happening with the public purse and it needed to hold a Finance Committee meeting to regularize the executive spending and budget changes.
“We have not had a meeting of the Legislative Assembly for some time, with no explanation why and, other than during the budget, this government has never held a Finance Committee meeting,” he said. “As well as serious cash flow problems, we understand that government appears to be projecting another deficit. And as well as not paying authorities, it has not paid any money into the past service liability pot.”
Although government has bragged about sorting out its revenue and having also paidback the civil service cost of living allowance because of a surplus last year, McLaughlin stated that it now appears to be in further financial trouble.
With no meeting of the parliament, however, it was not possible for him to know exactly what the financial issues were, he said, as the opposition were not given updates, briefings or information in connection with government earnings or spending.
The only way that the parliament, and ultimately the public, can know exactly what the current state of the public finances are is through an open meeting of the Finance Committee, he said.
“We are becoming increasingly concerned about what we are hearing about the finances,” the PPM leaders stated. “But there has been no discussion by government or any indication when the Legislative Assembly is likely to meet.”
The debate on government’s financial agreement with the UK has also not yet been held in the Legislative Assembly, which McLaughlin said was meant to be discussed at the last meeting but was deferred by the premier. Although the Framework for Fiscal Responsibility was signed and came into effect in November last year, the final draft has not been made public, nor has it been discussed on the floor of the House.
The opposition leader raised his concerns again about the unpredictability and uncertainty regarding the government’s attitude towards the parliamentary process, and in turn democracy.
“Parliament is supposed to act as a check and balance on the executive and to scrutinize what government is doing. That is part of its major function,” he said. “Given the amount of things that are supposedly in motion and being negotiated, it would be quite right and proper for parliament to be updated on a regular basis about what is happening and for us to ask questions and raise these issues.”
Aware of the many concerns in the community, the opposition leader pointed out that there was little that the opposition members could due to prevent government barrelling ahead with projects, regardless of whether they are supported by the majority of the people or not.
He said it is only via public pressure or scrutiny and public opposition that there can be an impact on government, but if it is not prepared to listen to the public opinion then the government can go ahead with all of the current plans regardless.
“Under the constitution the government has responsibility for policy,” he said, so whether the people like them or not they are properly within the remit of the Cabinet.
McLaughlin explained, however, that as well as security and civil service issues the governor does have a responsibility for good governance. “But going to England won’t make a jot of difference,” he said, referring to the trip planned by Miller, as he stated that it is up to the governor to address that problem here.
Category: Politics
Poor Macksta… This political harrassment is neva ending. I hear him planning to think about maybe stepping down if the political harrasment continues and the political climate is not improved. But then if in case he does decide to think about maybe stepping down and lets say he does mayby do it then he will find some people to run with. Cause he aint gonna leave his district for any pretend tigers or even wanna be Macs. Well al i can say is keep up the harrassment and hope he does go.
Why is the investigation of Mr. Bush taking so long? He should not be above the law. If it was a simple man on the street with a stick of weed, he would already be in prison. I think Alden should be pushing to get answers as to why this investigation is dragging despite the very serious nature of the charges.
Relax. The same people the Premier says are going to pay the government millions for the "intellectual property" in the cruise dock fiasco will certainly pay more millions for the "intellectual property" in the Premier's deficit reduction plan.
Did anybody ever audited those books during or after the PPM 1 term period? No, I don't think so. Why? Because Mac and the UDP wanted everyone to believe what he was saying, that the PPM left us broke, so broke, that the schools had to be stopped and the GIS building has to be sold. Audit the books from The UDP period before and during IVAN of 2004. Remember the mess PPM found when they took over. Then audit the period from 2005 – 2009, then tell the people the truth to erase any lingering doubts about PPM. If the Government was so broke, why was Mac and the UDP spending out of control from the start of their tenor. Remarkably, we ended up with a 25mio surplus 2 years after, under UDP and I ask how?. Listen, what broke this country was IVAN, the status grants, McKeeva and that's the truth. The effects of Ivan was estimated to be felt for the next 10 years. Plus the economic down turn worldwide. UDP told us lies, so they could look good. Something nah right Bo Bo!!!
I am sure there is a logical explanation. The current government would not do anything to purposely hurt the people of the island.
Only a true fool would still belive anything that comes out of the mouth of Bush.
What are saying? That us west bayers are all true fools? We believe in our Premier and we believe what he is saying. He is a God-fearing man. He goes to church regularly and loves the Lord so he wouldn't lie to us.
I guess that's what are saying. Oh wait… He is a God-fearing man. He goes to church regularly and he loves the Lord so he wouldnt lie to us? No, sorry, we wasn't saying that.
And McKeewa's nose is getting longer every month.
It's not a Deficet, it's a "scheme'
I honestly wonder whether we have someone with the tenacity, pride, integrity and competence to get this massive job done. We are talking about years of abuse and incompetence! We need accurate financial information . I can not understand why the Financial Secretary still has his job? He has failed miserably because he caved to the political interference by both parties and now we cannot rely on anything he produces!
Cut off access to the public purse now!!! As long as we continue with this free for all spending with no accountability we will never get out of this hole. Heads need to roll people need to be fired!
50 – 60k population spending half a BILLION dollars that we can’t accurately account for why do we keep accepting this people? We should be in the streets protesting because it is of national importance and beyond critical!
Don't blame the FS. He has no power. (And I mean on paper, not just practical.)
Today only 15,175 are enumerated by Register of Electors to vote. Of those, approx 20% don't care enough to actually show up to exercise their priviledge. So we are left with the 80% that do turn up to vote, a scant 12,140 voters, 2% of those can't write and are spoiled ballots. It is a shame because there are many of the 35-45k non-voters who care more deeply about these islands than some of those that did not even bother to show up last time. But that's the way it is, and why we have what we have.
Stop Mac & Stooges from traveling and might be able to ballance the budget. He said Caymanians don't need education he certainly proves that point.
Oh, the can of worms is only just opening, and watch them keep on wiggling out., and on, and on, and on….
Strange – the politicians look so well fed!
Alden I hope those 6 weeks you were off from Rooster 101.9, you were putting together a strong Political team in West Bay, Bodden Town and George Town, because we need to get fresh blood in our Government. We don't need anymore UDP's they are all about United Dart Projects and very little about the Caymanian people or infrastructure to benefit the Caymanians on a whole. You need to get started on the PPM promotionals for the next Elections now.
Sorry, in your for a big surprise PPM is "Politicians" Progressive Movement. You better open your eyes and see that if you want fresh blood that will better represent you, look for those who will independently stand up for principles, not those of a party that hasn't even define theres. I don't think I can take another 4 years of the same junk!
We need to think outside the box – there is not just an option of PPM or UDP.
Also, Alden isn't exactly new blood either……….
Alden to be honest, Mac and the UDP is still waiting for you and the PPM to give them the solutions to the finacial problems. They cannot do Finances,Economics and budgets, just arithmetic. Remember they don't need Education to run a Country.
Why does the government projects always need to be like the Taj Mahal ? Can't the government simply choose utilitarian designs that function well and do not require gold plating ?
Instead of a dock for cruise ships in the form of a single finger pier we are building a massive white elephant in George Town and adding Spotts and West Bay into the mix.
Why doesn't this government learn from the mistakes of Alden? He had to build a monument to his greatness and now it sounds like the expanded cruise berthing facility will be a similiar mess.
Don't get me wrong I hope that I am mistaken but when I look at the school project I wonder what Alden was thinking and who would pay for it. Ellio please tone this project back and talk with Mac.
In other news criminals are running riot, the real estate market is in the crapper, two girls are missing presumed murdered, the dump is still where it was, the new port still isn't where it should be, Shetty is nowhere to be seen, CUC is taking all our money and tourism is down. In other words nothing has changed because nothing ever changes here. Cayman is a talkocracy- what the people want, the leaders will make grand statements about delivering- and nothing more.
dont forget the investigation of our beloved premier!
I thought it was the PPM that put us in all these problems. Alden recall all the speading you did…. You have not right to complain.. in fact why don't you give us a solution. Oh forgot, if (god help up) the PPM gets back in all they arer going to do again is spend the countries money.
Both parties suck and Big E.. We need solutions not this back and forth BS from these idiots in Government.
thank you! it looks like some are ready to vote for ppm once again, and these are the same ones who will be voting for udp… this back and forth thing is just beginning, and both sides are benefiting from the countries divisiveness
You cannot fairly compare spending by the PPM Government to Bushocracy. We have a new Govt Admin Building, the schools were started (after the UDP broke ground on them), a new VL facility, a new bypass, an upgraded civic centre in BT, an upgraded national sports complex………..compare that to the money Mac has spent travelling, giving to cronies (sorry, nation builders) and to settle lawsuits when he changes his mind. At least we can see where the money went last time, the current government has NOTHING to show for the huge amount of spending, not even keeping up with bills, not to mention funding liabilities like pensions for civil servants.
I'm sure Mr Dart can work out a solution.
TO YOU MY DEAR on Wed, 02/08/2012 – 08:57. Mr. Bush will find the money under your bed.
Of course we have a surplus. All tied up in unfinished school buildings that God had to put on hold along with lovely roads with excessive material that was used.
NRA and other Authorities should have been privatised long ago. There are private companies who can do the same work, at half the cost, thereby being less of a strain on the public purse.
NRA shouldn't be paving people's parking lots for free.
Unless someone tackles the civil service……. Caymans finances are doomed…read the miller shaw report!
You can throw the Miller Shaw report out the window. The kinds of abuses and subterfuges being committed by this government dwarf any other issue in terms of the amount of money wasted, improperly spent or stolen. There is no financial accountability, this government has seen to that XXXX
Is this the best you can do? Every country on this planet is experiencing cash flow issues at this time! As Leader of the opposition, please tell us what you would do to exclude Cayman from this global problem? We are waiting, so tired of all the critics, incapable of offering any sound solutions.
We are a part of the world and so dependent on the rest of the world in many areas. Stop the petty politics and maybe develope a real concern for your country and it's people if you want to be the power to take this country forward.
Yes, many countries are facing fanancial issues, BUT they are trying to do something about it and are reporting to the people. The Leader of the Opp. and the public have every right to ask questions. Please use your head. Trying to keep the public in the dark is not making anyone feel better. Ignorance does not make the situation go away.
The very least our Gowerment can do is stop lying to us about it.
I think the frustration is this constant flip flopping between having a surplus and having run out of money, he had a surplus when he wanted to give the civil service a pay rise and yet has run out of money and can't pay bills now. Surpluses don't just disappear overnight so is it those that are meant to be keeping track of the finances that are feeding the Premier bum info, or is he making it up to suit his political aspirations?
Mr. Anonymous 16:14, I cast my vote for the second option you offered.
Bush should bloody-well stop telling porkie-pies about the state of the public purse.
I thought we had a surplus?
I think we have a surplus of deficits.
and 'schemes'
We have a surplus of FOOLS.
Blah, blah, blah…zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Same Sh*t, different day.
The best quote is….. "via public pressure or scrutiny and public opposition that there can be an impact on government, but if it is not prepared to listen to the public opinion then the government can go ahead with all of the current plans regardless."
No Sh*t Sherlock, hasn't that been happening all along?
We have some serious academics in Government if they can decifer those sorts of facts from Mac's actions.
BTW Alden, there is no Government, its Mac's island and he does what he wants, are you sleeping in the LA or have you aslo been galavanting around the world on the puublic purse? You sit in MLA ? (Mac's Legislative Assembly).
Next the PPM will be telling us crime is down.
The new norm. Until we hire people in government who actually possess thewill to spend less than they earn, this story is going to be repeated over and over. Right now funds are seen as "other peoples money". Too bad Robbin Hoodwinked can't see we are robbing from ourselves.
It goes beyond earnings – expense claims too. Lets inspect the MLA offices we pay rent for and see if its a reasonable rent for the premises… if any. And staff on the payroll. Where are they, what do they do? The 'business trips', the utilities, and all other expenses should all be audited for value for money, amongst (cough) other things, if they exist at all in reality.
What a shock of surprise-ation…
I wonder what all those idiots that were rallying behind that UDP Motorcade before the last elections will be saying now?
" I got my fridge"
They're probably saying they didn't vote for the UDP.
Sorry BoBo. Will take him out in 2013.
How many suppoters they say they had again?! HAHA
Poor us.
Probably the same thing that the idiots on the UDP truck giving out candies escorted by a POLICE CAR on Xmas day were saying………… by the way, that's our money being spent to escort that important outing…………
Alden you are ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! wow
This is exactly what is needed, now rally the people together in order to promote good governance. It is high time that this slackness is highlighted and eradicated. Change will only come once we come together with a loud,resounding and unified voice!!
I am not for PPM or UDP but I stand for what is right and best for this country!
The current administration is leading us down a path of no return with a lack of transaparency, accountability and no regards for the rules or protocol whatsover. Enough of the nonsense!!!
These are unprecedented difficult economic times the world over we have to get our sh** together.
Ezzard going to England is a grand waste of time, keep the fight HERE lets address OUR issues at HOME!!!!
When we get income tax and property we should not wonder why. Sorry I won't still be here to see it
If there are any responsible adults that want to run for office, please go to elections website, download a nomination form 14 and declare your candidacy. There is also a form 18 to start your new party.
Yeah, I goin' down deh right now!
We refuse to hire anyone that can't talk better than McKeeva
http://www.electionsoffice.ky
Voter Turnout data for Cayman Islands:
http://www.idea.int/vt/country_view.cfm?CountryCode=KY
Maybe if Mac gave the Civil Service another 5% raise, his Minister of Finance could once again find a way to show a surplus for the year. Wait, he is the Minister of Finance…. never mind.
It is clear that goverment has no intention of listening to the people.. They could care less what the opinion of the people is.
It is very sad that the Cayman people are ignored by their leaders. And sadder that nothing can be done about it. By the next election the damage will be done and it will be the people that lose. The "leaders" will be the ones that gain.
Very sad indeed. Sad and wrong.
Strange that Alden would suggest UDP update the country on what is happening with the public purse and that the UDP need to hold a Finance Committee meeting to regularize the executive spending and budget changes. When Alden and Kurt was in , the country's economy slowed down. There was no accountanting of how the money was being spent, and auditing was inaccurate. Thanks to party politics, they said we were in an 81 million deficit… who knows, we could have been in a worse situation. There was no auditing and they did nothing to make the money transactions transparent. So I find it strange that Alden would be a critic of his own making. Cayman, I tell you, these party puppets make me sick! Next time, put in people who will better represent this country. Refrain from putting in party politicians. An independent candidate will better represent your district and be held accountable, because there is no party interest involved. Look at Mark Scotland and Dwayne Seymour, look at how they turn their backs on their constituency because of Dart. They have not spoken to the people, because they are told not to do so, and they follow and represent whoever it is that is telling them. That is a shame and a disgrace, and Cayman we need to do better. This two-party system is all about "dividing" Cayman – not unifying us. Since the two-party system kicked off after hurricane ivan, I don't know if anyone has noticed, but crime has dramatically increased in Cayman. We are almost looking like a district in Jamaica. Cayman, we have to do better or else we will become like Jamaica.
As we can all see, you stepped on alot of people's toes, opposing both parties. I take my hat off to you! Keep it up! 🙂
Sorry to tell you, but if it wasn't for the outsiders who make up the offshore industry, you ARE Jamaica.
The 81 million was another "macmadeup" number by the way, not audited, just saying……
The CIG has no money to pay it's bills???? I didn't see that one coming.
Alden – I strongly suggest that you air your complaints by going to the UK with Ezzard.
I'm sorry but thats total BS Mr. Bush can fine money to spend when he wants to but every month certain depts in Government is told they are not able to pay their staff thier overtime becasue its not in the budget. But Mr. Bush stood up and told the public on Monday Nite that they should be able to pay 2mil or more for a property by June so if the Government is facing such a cash flow problem where in the world they going get this money from.
I was not at the meeting but I am pretty certain he meant "compulsory acquire" the property by June, not purchase it.
You see acquisition and compensation for property by Government is two separate things. Acquisition can happen right away, but compensation for the acquisition can take DECADES! Just ask people who are owed money for their property when Government widened a road, or built a new road over their property.
Also, didnt Mac say a few years back, when discussing the purchase of the little wedge of land near WB boat launch ramp, that he has NEVER believed in compulsory acquisition by Government – or something to that effect. So, what has changed his mind now?
He only believes in it when the landowner is a crony and he wants to pay them twice what the property is valued at by a government surveryor. Thatis exactly what happened with the "golden triangle" purchase in West Bay. The land is still unused.
Ahh that good old fella McKeewa Bush with his generosity to no avail. Every1 saw this was a dumb move but him. I doubt our Gov't will ever have a surplus again and this smart ass just keeps digging deeper holes for ppl. SMDH
I'm beginning to think that Francesco Schettino had the right idea!
Government might as well make all their staff wear red.
SHHHH! Sister Ju Ju might hear you.
Right! Just keep doing more of the same with the same people in charge and expect different results. Fun to watch.
I disagree on basis that it is repulsive to watch!