(CNS): The four opposition members present in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday afternoon all voted an emphatic ‘no’ to the government’s budget as the appropriation’s bill was given its third and final reading. The leader of the opposition, Kurt Tibbetts, and his three colleagues, Anthony Eden, Arden McLean and Moses Kirkconnell, opted not to abstain but to register their objections with a no vote. Ezzard Miller, the independent representative, abstained from the vote, indicating that while he was not directly opposing the entire bill he had reservations about its passage. As the government has a majority, however, the four ‘no’ opposition votes counted for nothing more than a protest as the government was able to bring eight votes in favour of the appropriations bill, ensuring the passage of the budget. (Photo by Dennie Warren Jr)
The opposition had made it clear during the debate that it would not be supporting this year’s budget as a result of the fuel duty increase of 25 cents per gallon. Tibbetts had also questioned the revenue predictions in the financial plan and stated that the opposition benches had concerns that once again the government was being overly optimistic about the revenue figures.
During the debate that followed which addressed the increase in fuel tax that government intends to bring into effect by 1 July, the premier hit out at the opposition benches for their criticisms of the 2010/11 budget and their lack of support for the fuel tax. He was particularly critical of the first elected member for Cayman Brac, Moses Kirkconnell, as the premier pointed out the Brac was exempt from the increase.
During the budget debate the exemption of Cayman Brac had been raised by Miller, who said he could see no justification for such an exemption and had been almost inclined to support the fuel rise had it not been for that exclusion. He pointed out that he represented constituents who faced a fifty mile round trip to work which was considerably more than those living on the Brac were likely to have to face.
Mr. Kirkconnell man of reason. Thank you Mr. Kirkconnell for seeing the big picture.
We need more clear thinkers and men of their word like you and not the crowd of blinded and silenced UDP members… all there bobbing their heads like dolls to Mr. Bush’s rhetoric!
…at least the PPM voted this time. I guess this was decided upon after they heard the outcry from their supporters when they decided to abstain the last time. What a bunch of misfits we have up in the house…
Mr Ezzard Miller you are doing the right thing. Take no sides with anyone, just keep on looking out for the people of Cayman. After all that is who you represent. If only we had an Ezzard in each disrict what good thing. Man to his word.
Come on Ezzard….stop running your mouth if you’re not prepared to back it up in the LA.
UDP in independent clothing…….
We have new blood for you in NS next time too….pay attention !!!
Ezzard love NorthSide and its people, you will not move him that easy. Just you watch and see.
I said it before and I’ll say it again;
If you take 1 pie and cut it up into more pieces, you still only have one pie. Now if you bring in a second pie and cut it up you have more pie.
This is the principle that government must operate with. Introduce new revenue measures. I would share my thoughts on the new measures (NOT TAXES), but then I should’ve been an MLA!!!
Isn’t that why they were elected in the first place!
What no one is saying is "The reason the Brac is exempt… government doesn’t have the political will to control the retailers of the fuel monopoly and the high price of electricity there. If they want to stop the absorbinant prices we pay for goods and services in the Sister Islands the residents would be happy to pay the extra duties imposed. Control the profits of these few monopolies , fuel, shipping, groceries, power, that have been in the family business of ripping off your neighbours, whos income is far less than those in Grand Cayman and we will be able to afford to reside in these islands… if they are not willing to that these two islands will soon be a wasteland.
What you are, however, saying is that you have no sense of how to operate a business. You should stick to whatever you are doing now, if you catch my drift.
Where do you think Cayman Brac get’s its goods from?
Do you not understand that by the tax hitting Grand Cayman it directly hits Cayman Brac and Little Cayman?
Are you saying these families should shut down their businesses so you can give money to other families/foreigners in Grand Cayman?
Aren’t you glad that you have electricity at almost the same cost of Grand Cayman? Plus my friends tell me you all have a much better system there with pre-paid electricity or something.
Who would be happy to pay higher duties? Not my friends for sure. Don’t you realise that you already pay more for shipping? XXXX
What you should do instead of complaining, is educate yourself and get qualified so that you have a better standard of living.
I may be mistaken but if Grand Cayman has an increase in cost would it not stand to reason that when Cayman Brac or Little Cayman get fuel from Grand Cayman that this extra charge would be passed on to them in the purchase price .
Cayman Brac and Little Cayman get their fuel by direct importation, not from Grand Cayman as you are suggesting.
Tankers drop off the lesser Islands supplies in Cayman Brac just like they do in Grand Cayman so they should be taxed like everyone else.
Stop encouraging the Cayman Brackers to be so Government dependent for everything.
This is obviously a political move by Aunt Julie to secure votes.
If it is intended to encourage migration from Grand Cayman to Cayman Brac I dont see where the increase in fuel would force me in to that situation so that is a no-brainer.
Let those who live in the lesser islands pay their fare share of taxes like everyone else. Thats called equality.
I agree with the "Aunt Julie" securing votes part but economics will tell you that the prices on the Brac are higher because all of food/produce etc must travel through Grand Cayman and therefore raises our prices with the $0.25 fuel tax.
Also, we are NOT the lesser islands, we are simply Cayman Brac and Little Cayman!!!
Proof that Mac doesn’t know business!!!!
How can he say that this duty will not impact the Brac?
1) a. Where does he think we get all of our goods from?
1) b. For those who think it is the US, please let me know when Thompson’s Shipping is putting in direct service from Miami??? (Everything comes through Cayman).
2) 70% of the jobs in the Brac are government and therefore not only are we being hit with a fuel duty but also the salary cut and the duty increase from last year.
How much more of Mac’s expenses does he expect us to bear?
We are suffering Mr. Premeire, thank God that Mr. Kirkconnell is standing up for us as your other little kiss up girl can only seem to take more away from us.
XXXXX
I have to thank CNS for giving us a chance to be anonymous as this is the only way I would be able to keep my job. This take, take, take attitude that the UDP is putting up has to stop. I say we call a referendum and get them out now before they do any more damage.
Next thing Mac will call for will be the keys to my house, if I can make the bank payment this month!
The country could save millions if all those on the Brac and LC were moved to Grand Cayman and not subsidized like crazy. Truth.
Bully Premier = Dictator
Could this get any worse? We have a ruling party – UDP – that seems to only be one person. He is the Dictator not the Premier. He delays bringing the budget until the last minute, then rushes it through like a bully and complains that the media asks questions and the Opposition votes against it.
He has successfully ‘muzzled’ the rest of his croanies who we don’t hear from, but just pay for (like body guards, hotel rooms in the Brac and slush funds for the Deputy Premier).
Now he bullies the Opposition saying they should be happy for the scraps he throws them! X@3?
Our country has been hijacked!!
I guess in the end all of Ezzard’s hot air just blew away.
And this is the problem with the system of "party" that we have. I am willing to bet the farm that there are members of MACs party that don’t agree with the budget, but are unwilling to openly admit much less vote against it. Fear is a very power motivator. SAD,SAD situation.
can you say Dictator?
Wake up Cayman, here is your proof.
What other system is there that is suitable to the Cayman Islands pray tell, is it one like the Turtle meat era when back door deals were done or is it one where people who disent against a government because of personality are able to take it down. Criticize if you must but what is the alternative let ur comrades hear
A system where a group of "Individuals" are voted in on merit and who are willing to work with other like minded "Individuals" for the ultimate betterment of the COUNTRY!!!!!
Individuality leads to the generation of ideas, synergies and greater accountability to the voter.
Breda we tried that before and what did we get sent back to the dark ages because of the power of the Merchants and those who they elected to carry out their mandate. This wasn’t too long ago. Are we longing fro teh goold ole days of Turtle meat style governance.?