Heated Debate As BSBDC Amendment Passes
Minister of Community Development the Hon. Michael Weeks yesterday [July 15] tabled the Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation Amendment Bill 2011.
The proposed amendment caused heated debate in the House of Assembly with members of the opposition OBA raising their concerns.
Shadow Minister For Public Works & Housing Mark Pettingill later said, ” you can not pass a law to make something that you’ve done previously that is unlawful now lawful cause you don’t like it.”
Premier and Minister of Finance, Paula A. Cox said, “the idea was to have a little bit more detail as to why and in what circumstances you’d be able to give a grant.”
When the debate concluded, the Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation Amendment Bill 2011 was finally passed.
Minister Weeks proposed the following amendments:
1. In clause 9:
Insert after paragraph (e), the following paragraph:
“(f) by inserting the following subsection:
“(10) The Corporation may issue a grant-
(a) where an application has been made to the Corporation and financial assistance is needed to-
(i) prepare a Business Plan;
(ii) develop and implement a renovation plan or development plan
(iii) develop and implement a marketing plan or branding or rebranding plan;
(iv) pay a retainer for accounting services;
(v) incorporate a business;
(vi) obtain legal business advice; and
(vii) develop and implement other non-working capital schemes;
and(b) in order to finance business development and formation in areas or industries as the Minister directs.”
2. In clause 12:
Insert after the words “considers necessary” the following words:
“, in order to-
(a) allow the Corporation to create facilities conducive to supporting and expanding business;
(b) assist with the physical and economic regeneration of economic empowerment zones and other economically depressed areas;
and
(c) create market sites.”3. New clause 15:
Insert the following clause:
“Validation
15. The issue of any grant by the Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation is deemed to have been lawfully issued.”
It’s the UBP’s fault…
Terry, are you a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, or is someone trying to tail you?
You do not make sense. Let’s say I live in a country where homosexuality is a crime. And now there are persons in jail and in the courts for practicing homosexuality. If my govt passes a law today which says homosexuality is legal, and all persons who are in jail or in the courts can (therefore) go home, then please tell me WHY your principle holds water and what we’re doing is wrong. In other words Mark…please explain why, if it’s for the public good, you cannot pass a law to make something that you’ve done previously that is unlawful now lawful cause you don’t like the fact that prosecuting homosexuals is wrong in the past. Mark…it is a govt’s right to pass any law which nullifies a past wrong if it’s for the good of the public….is it not??
Damn….I gott lurn det arrbuddy is nut hin de office twoday…………detz wy tingz his quhit………..troof his troof…………..ketch yoo lutt Mundey……….
Mark Pettingill takes 33 seconds to make his point.
Premier Cox takes 499 seconds but doesn’t actually make a point other than talk around the validation concern.
PLP: talking more, doing less
“Like a back stop” @ 2:50
is that kinda like a thruster wall in Dockyard?
Personally, I don’t trust Mark Pettingill and agreed with Jeff Sousa opinion of the man. Not sure if Jeff still feel the same now that they kissed and made up? but when jeff was canvassing he said we should not trust them?
I have listen to the debate, heard both interviews and also read the comments here. I wonder if anyone of you every worked for BSBDC, had leading with them not/or are a small business owners? If you had/are then would would understand what the Government is trying to do! This is not about how you can complain about the UBP,BOA, and PLP! It is about people trying to make a honest living!
Glen, they make it about party politics every time they open their mouths. they are not interested in the small business person, none of them are small business persons, they all site on the big boards and make over 6 figures salaries non including MP salary -
I am so glad it has passed because now it has opened up doors for My Small business things for implementing.