MPs Pass Casino, Municipality & Gas Tax Bills
In an extra sitting of the House of Assembly that lasted until 2am this morning [Oct 3], Members of Parliament passed the Casino Cruise Ship Act, the Municipalities Amendment Act and the Corporation of St. Georges Fund Levy Act.
The Casino Cruise Ship Act will see cruise ships allowed to open their casinos while docked in Bermuda, the Municipalities Amendment Act will see changes to the way the Municipalities operate, and the Corporation of St. Georges Fund Levy Act will see an extra tax levied on gas imported via the St George’s oil docks.
The Municipality Act went to a roll call vote [audio here], which saw it pass by one vote [16/15] with Government MPs voting in favour, while Opposition MPs voted against it.
There was a spirited debate prior to the votes, which saw MPs from both sides talk on a wide range of topics. At one point it evolved into MPs changing the name of the opposing party, with Lawrence Scott [PLP] calling the OBA the “One Bad Alliance”, while Shawn Crockwell [OBA] referred to the PLP as the “Poor Losing Party.”
During the debate on the Cruise Ship Casino Act, MPs from both sides spoke about the importance of ensuring we remain a competitive destination to attract the cruise lines, and the legislation has paved the way for the cruise ship casinos to be open from 9pm and 5am while in in port.
The Municipality Bill — which the City of Hamilton objected to — makes a number of changes to the way the Corporation of Hamilton and the Corporation of St George’s will operate, including restoring a vote for the business owners.
“with Lawrence Scott [PLP] calling the OBA the “One Bad Alliance”, while Shawn Crockwell [OBA] referred to the PLP as the “Poor Losing Party.”
The need to rename the “House” to the “Nursery”! SMFH
Get rid of Party Politics.
Thank you, both these parties are a joke, and there is no punchline, only a punch in the face to most Bermudians and residents of this island.
You guys are a joke.
LOL! Was just thinking the same thing
couldn’t agree more. they OUR representatives, are worse than a bunch of little spoiled brat children. The decorum at this level is totally beyond belief. I am going to take my ball home and not play with you any more so na ne na ne boo boo.
Minister Crockwell was only responding to Scott’s silly name calling and was said with that in mind. In fact Minister Crockwell and the OBA members made very strong presentations last night against some very weak boogy man opposition tactics as per usual. The OBA are sounding more on point, confident and focused as time goes by. The PLP use the same approach for every debate which is becoming rather one dimensional. The PLP continue to name call that the OBA are practically the work of the devil and then in the next breath say they want to work with the OBA. That’s very hard to take seriously. But they should carry on, as it just shows them up the more they do it.
O-oligarchy B-born A-again, I’m not surprised, Front Street will never allow their historical interest to be shared. LMAO
More baseless propaganda from “Mazumbo”…
Same old same.
I guess you want evidence aauugghh. LMAO
Naaa, you can actually just take a walk outside and see all the evidence you want of the plp failed experiment LMAO LMAO LMAO…wait, that’s not funny because this is real life you deluded little imp.
I know better to ask YOU for any evidence.
You never have any, so you flip out about even the CONCEPT of asking for it. Which… you know… just shows exactly where you’re coming from.
You want the freedom to push your political agenda unquestioned and unchallenged and hate it when this doesn’t happen. We get it.
Oligarchy? Where do you get this s**t? LMAO.
Mr. Outerbridge. How can you complain when you know that black as well as white business owners who pay taxes in the city are not afforded a right to vote under current legislation. I am glad this has been changed by the OBA!
Why even debate it.
PLP will not vote for anything the OBA Does.
SO, votes will always be won by one vote…without a doubt.
EVEN THOUGH, the PLP KNOW these bills need to be passed; heck, they’re the ones who initiated the Municipalities Act and now they won’t vote in favour!
Let’s not be disingenous here – the PLP has voted for 95% of the OBA Bills.
Proof?
Just sit in Parliament or read the news. Almost all noncontroversial matters get passed unanimously. Was the same case when PLP were in power. The ones that immediately come to mind are recent amendments to the Bermuda Immigration and Protection Act, the repeal of the Park Hyatt Act, amendments to the Road Traffic Offences Penalties Act and to the Proceeds of Crime Act. It just feels like the opposition only opposes because the small minority of controversial pieces of legislation takes up all the media ‘real estate’.
Also, the Municipalities Act that the OBA passed last night was not the same one passed by the PLP. So your comparison has no validity.
yeah the OBA updated and made it better…
You mean made it better for de Oligarchy community. This tactic was in effect during de segregated era. O-oligarchy B-born A-again. LMAO
Nonsense. You’re just throwing words together and hoping someone will believe you. So sad.
Nonsense.
They are baiting you and you took it troll.
Get a life.
(can’t wait for the rummy response.)
I love how you’re the one taunting and baiting, but I’m the troll.
Go lie down, silly Rummy. You’re drunk.
Don’t matter if anyone believes me or not historically it’s true, so you say PROPAGANDER I guess ya right on O-oligarchy B-born A-again part.
propaganda- Act or method of propagating doctrine, ideals, etc.
Front Street has spoken and Hamilton will always belong to de Oligarchy!!!!!!!!!! Want EVIDENCE. LMAO
I’d love it, but I know you won’t provide any.
Evidence is anathema to you.
You have to be blind, stupid ,or dishonest to think that the Oligarchy did and does not control Hamilton. Most of the buildings in Hamilton were and are still owned by influential aristocrats who still have a say .
The House of Assembly appointed a committee to investigate the extension of the franchise. Mr.W.L Tucker was appointed chairman, and in 1963, the committee produced one majority and two minority reports. The majority report recommended that persons 25 and older should each have one vote. Mr M.A Gibbons’ minority report urged the plural vote should not be removed but people 25 years and over should also have this vote. The second minority report was compiled by Mr. E.T Richards(Bob’s father, the more things change they remain the same LMAO), and suggested that a motion be made to eliminate persons living in rented accomodation from the franchise!
The Front Street Oligarchy Kingpins were Sir John Cox, Sir Reginald Conyers, Sir Howard Trott, Sir Stanley Spurling, Sir Bayard Dill, and Sir Harry Butterfield.
You wanted evidence WOOP there it is. Be careful what you ask for you might get more then you bargained
. LMFAO
P.S
From those recommendations the motion was passed soon after the report was presented, successfully denying a large majority of Bermuda’s black population the right to vote.
BE WATCHFULL ALWAYS!!
What a crock. How many prior mayor’s and their deputies have been in court for refusing to answer questions in relation to an investigation?
How many people voted these guys in? Less that 100. How is that a large majority? Stop spewing nonsense.
but they do have the vote, businesses were stripped of a vote,….how well has that worked out ? Disaster for the City and Bermuda (unless you are blind). You an’t say the current administration is an improvement. they shut down the open to the public meetings instigated by Goslings team.
Hardly an Oligopoly
And evidence that it’s still happening?
Or are we to still live in the past? (While “getting over” and “Stop talking about” the last 14 years)
Mazumbo, and exactly how was the PLP of the last 13 years different? They openly awarded contracts and offered incentives to, now how did they put it??? oh yeah, “people that look like me”! How about the T-Street scandal. Or Berkeley and the “Proactive / BIU” project. Then there was the TCD contract…hmm when was that tender request publically issued? And how many people were asked to bid on the emissions building project, other then family and friends? Then there was the Bermuda Cement Company deal. Taken from one person and handed over to another. Do you want more EVEDINCE , Mazumbo. Stop trying to be creative and funny. If you have facts, display them.
Brilliant. You must be a politician to come up with *another* slogan like that.
next bill there is to pass is the bill for the hotels have gambling hurry up and pass the bill we might be able to save at less a hand full of rooms
quick! someone call holland america and tell them schedule the veendam for 2015.
Good news, never mind the politics, they are all children, let’s get a full gaming referendum on the table for the people to decide and let’s help fix our ailing tourism.
Bermuda should reduce the politicians by 75%. The distractions posed by the sheer number of politicians (many of which are political hacks and its questionnable if they would be able to run their own business, let alone a supposed “country”!.
Bermuda is a small town and a strong mayor and council would be fine. If they were smart, they would hire foreigners to position of influence and avoid the “my cousin” syndrome that no doubts affects many of them when making tough decisions.
Agree, you have people in charge of less than a sq mile and less than 1000 constituents.
Has any one here thought about how this will effect St George’s. How does it go ” No taxation without representation ” Right.Well the business in St George’s pay no tax. So now in St George’s they have representation and NO taxation.Go figure that one out
I as a Bermudian don’t think it was a good idea to allow this now the passengers do not have to get off the boat for anything. I think we should have done I out of two things either allow the gambling boat or have a casino on shore. I really don’t see who benefits from this, the only people who r getting ahead are the cruise ship because they leaving our port with the money that could be for us.I’m talking about the owners of the establishments the workers, dealers ,bartenders,waiters,taxi drivers even the cleaning crew to me we loose a lot.
Listen, its simple really. Entertain people and they will come off the ship! Harbour nights is not entertainment. While the idea is a good one in principle, overall it isn’t enough to get people to stay out. A guy with a guitar singing “Yellowbird” is not entertainment. It may be cute, and capture someone’s attention for a few minutes, but they move on. You need to captivate people, involve the crowds, wow the crowds, make them laugh! If not they will retreat to the ship where they can get awesome entertainment, ranging for Cirque De Soliel, Blueman Group, Comedy Shows, Magicians and more. Gambling will not draw them back to the ship. When they are tired or bored they go back to their cabins and get a meal. Gambling will just give them something extra to do when they get their and allow the ships to make some extra money.
I’m glad someone else understands.
Traditionally, this has not been true. I know it seems logical, but history shows that it’s just not how it happens.
While, yes, we need to up our game, entertainment-wise, we’re creating competition with this bill, competition that we simply cannot go up against.
Politics is just that, Politics. Concerning the cruise ship gaming, politicians and members of the public had some vision and mentioned this exact idea before while it was opposed by others. Now some of the same people have changed their thoughts on this cruise ship gaming issue(which they are entitled to do). I just wonder if the change of thought has anything to do with the change in government?
You lot don’t get it, don’t you. People that gamble onboard represent only about 30%
Secondly if this didn’t pass than we won’t have any ships coming to Bermuda. The cruise lines spoke up. If we didn’t change our tune the lines would just shift their sails and sail elsewhere. No biggie to them. The ones to loose out would be Bermuda.
Night life, that is our prob and NOT the cruise lines. If we had a night life than the people would get off the ships and spend time. But guess what. We don’t so they just stay onboard. Do you blame them? I surly don’t cause I’ll do the same thing.
Fix the prob and you’ll see a diff.
“If we had a night life than the people would get off the ships and spend time.”
Historically, this has not been true.
Allowing the ships to have competing products has never gone well for us.
We don’t have competing products Mike, The level of entertainment we offer is okay but not great. It can’t compete with Blueman Group, Cirque De Solei, Top Name Magicians, Bands, Ice-skating, Rock Climbing.
A 3 piece cover band at a pub is nothing different than what the average tourist will find at home. That will not keep them entertained enough to keep them out! Once they retreat to the ship, 99% do not come off. Gambling gives them something to do before and after dinner and / or a show and allows the ship to make money!
Bring back the Pirate Parties, The Broken Glass Limbo Dancers, Steel Pan Bands with Vocalist, and more…all at the same time. When I travel by cruise ship, if the stores offer the same products that I get at hope, if the bars and restaurants are just okay, if the entertainment is just okay, then I’m going aboard.
Next time you are in Dockyard, ask yourself “is there enough to do here to draw me off the ship at night and Keep you off for 3-4 hours each night”?
I’m not saying that we don’t have to improve our product. I’ve been VERY loud about exactly that, for years.
However, creating even MORE competition, as with this bill, is not good for Bermuda in any way.
And why should the cruise ships NOT be able to operate their casinos while in port? That’s right. They should. To state otherwise is lunacy. Nice going, (at last) MP’s.
Because it’s yet another nail in the coffin of our entertainment and hospitality industry.
We’ve already got little enough support. This is just another slap in the face.
Funneling all our tourists into one end of the sland with an ill conceived transportation system that operates unfriendly business hours has ruined entertainment in Bermuda with no escape clause.
Get rid of the present business hating COH.
The new govt has lots of members who know how to run a country.The previous govt new how to spend on themselves,at the people they pretended to represent’s expense.
Now we will see confidence restored to Hamilton,which we all hope will result in new employment opportunities.
The OBA should be given credit for a lot of good things they are doing,with a mess they inherited!