OBA’s 54 Point Summary Of First Year Actions
As the island’s politicians prepare to head back to the House of Assembly for tomorrow’s Reconvening of Parliament, the One Bermuda Alliance has released a summary of the OBA Government’s first-year actions.
The party released a list of 54 points, which is being promoted through various different media outlets, citing various changes such as ending term limits, passing the Municipality Reform legislation, passing new Financial Assistance measures and much more.
The full list, from the OBA, is below [PDF here]:
- Passed payroll tax exemption to boost the hiring of Bermudians
- Passed the Human Rights Amendment Act to eliminate discrimination on the basis of age and sexual orientation
- Cut Cabinet Ministers’ pay by 10%
- Revoked a licensing regulation that prevented Bermudians married to non-Bermudians from purchasing a second property
- Passed legislation to reform the operations of the municipalities
- Completed significant reform to the work permits system to make it more welcoming and less bureaucratic
- Passed legislation to crack down on employees and employers who abuse Immigration laws and increased penalties for work permit violations
- Ended term limits which had caused international companies to move jobs out of Bermuda while becoming a barrier to jobs for Bermudians
- Implemented an Immigration Appeals Tribunal to ensure people are not penalized by decisions affecting their rights
- Commenced work on a National Training Plan to identify future employment opportunities for Bermudians, and put together Occupational Advisory Groups for workforce development
- Opened the National Training Centre in the former Magistrates’ Court building
- Set up a Tripartite Economic Committee to enhance communication and the critical working relationship between unions, government and business
- Expanded the Career Pathways Programme to include Year 3 and Year 4 students
- Raised teacher recruitment standards in the core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science
- Tabled a Green Paper on Inclusive and Special Education to meet the needs of all students, including gifted students and those requiring additional educational support
- Amended the Bermuda Government Scholarships Act to extend the tenure period from 3 to 4 years, increase the eligible age range and make the programme sustainable
- Set up a job opportunities programme that has resulted in Bermudians working aboard Norwegian Cruise Line ships
- Established the Bermuda Business Development Agency as a public-private partnership to aggressively promote Bermuda as a business destination of choice
- Formed the Cabinet Economic Development Committee to reduce the time it takes to get approval for large job-creating development projects
- Passed the Pink Beach and Princess Hotels Concessions Acts to strengthen Bermuda’s tourism product and create jobs for Bermudians
- Established the Micro Loan Programme to assist small business through the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation
- Launched the Regulatory Authority to deregulate and oversee the telecommunications industry, increasing competition and resulting in dramatic reductions in the cost of internet services
- Broadened incentives for job makers to deepen their commitment to Bermuda and create work opportunities for Bermudians
- Lowered license fees for the purchase of real estate to trigger property sales and new business opportunities for Bermudian contractors
- Prepared Heritage Wharf at Dockyard to welcome the Norwegian Breakaway for her inagural voyage in May
- Brought into use Bermuda’s satellite slot in April, opening opportunities for new space-based business
- Met with multiple stakeholder groups, from fund managers to hotel developers, to restore confidence in Bermuda as a place to do business
- Passed the Investment Funds Act amendment to help Bermuda become a major player in the global funds industry again
- Held a Tourism Summit with international developers to determine what Bermuda needs to finally break ground on resort development
- Repealed the Park Hyatt Hotel Act to open the doors to investors looking to develop the former Club Med site in St. George’s
- Passed legislation for a Tourism Authority to renew tourism
- Passed legislation allowing cruise ships to keep their casinos open in port from 9 pm to 5 am, to ensure the Island remains competitive as a cruise destination and to increase licensing revenues
- Appointed the SAGE Commission to review government operations and, with input from the public, recommend changes to make it more efficient, more cost-effective and more user-friendly
- Issued new rules to all Government departments to hold their spending to budget allocations, with ministries required to file monthly reports to stop any slippage
- Issued new rules to manage the debt, setting responsible targets for how much Bermuda can borrow – and for the cost of that borrowing – against what the government takes in
- Implemented a low-interest borrowing plan to finance expected deficits over the next three years – a strategy that will save Bermuda an estimated $20 million – $40 million in borrowing costs
- Completed a $US750 million bond issue to stabalize Government’s financial position
- Activation gang mediation with trained individuals working in high impact areas to calm tensions
- Launched a gun bounty programme in May in partnership with CrimeStoppers
- Instituted a Cash Back for Communities programme, whereby confiscated assets and cash are channeled back to support affected communities
- Funded the hiring of 20 new police officers
- Passed legislation to ban high-risk items in prisons, including cell phones
- Passed the Proceeds of Crime Act allowing designated authorities to seize the proceeds of crime through Supreme Court civil action
- Initiated Police officer training in the gang resistance programme GREAT, which includes officers delivering anti-gang messaging directly to students
- Passed a motion to subject all Members of the Legislature to random, mandatory drug testing
- Changed the FutureCare premium so that everyone who purchases FutureCare for their health insurance pays the same price
- Passed new Financial Assistance measures requiring recipients where appropriate to attend life skills programmes, take community service or be assessed for substance abuse
- Initiated road alignments and widening improvements along North Shore Smiths by Police Beach and resurfacing sections of Middle Road, Happy Valley Road, Orchard Grove and the Airport
- Strengthened St. George’s ability to develop and promote its World Heritage Site status through funds generated by a tax to be levied on fuel landed at the St. George’s oil docks
- Re-opened the St. George’s Police Station
- Approved new procedures to ensure that Special Development Orders are graded in a clear and transparent manner
- Approved the Protected Species Amendment Act to enhance the protection of our native and endemic species
- Initiated public consultation on a proposal to create a Marine Protected Area within our Exclusive Economic Zone
- Amended the Customs Tariffs Act to allow for duty-free importation of goods associated with the enhancement of our railway trail
And where are the promised jobs?
The promise was 2000 over a five year period. It has not even been 11 months. Give them a chance to turn things around. But I somehow doubt that is what you want to do right?
They are well on their way to creating the 2000 jobs, so hush.
Tell that to the dozens of young Bermudians who have lost jobs. I know of many in the international business field who have lost jobs and are unable to find employment, yet the business continue to hire expatriate workers and renew work permits. These are educated and experienced Bermudians with families, mortgages and responsbilities.
BLAME BURCH!!!!!! Now stop ya whining! They are trying their hardest to “right the ship” from the PLP rogue wave.
This is worst then reading credits after a movie! LMAO
Finally,a govt we can trust!
You can’t fully trust any of them…PLP or OBA
Maybe so, but I trust the OBA more than the PLP anyday.
I agree. They both run neck n neck as far as performance is concerned.
i agree, but this one is by far better than the last!
A solid initial effort, but too cautious and therefore not enough.
Bermuda needs to be opened up further to outside investment and people welcomed in. Expatriates need to be offered a route to citizenship. Such measures will result in major blow back from the opposition and its supporters, but they are getting that anyway. Just go big now and stop p#$$y footing around. The window to turn things around is rapidly closing on you. Just get it done.
Wow that’s a long list. Here is all I care about
My salary has gone down
My health insurance has gone waaaay up
My Belco bill has gone up
My social insurance has gone up
And they talking about cutting taxes for millionaires… SMH!
A Me Myself and I PLP response… One of the resaons we are in this mess in the first place.
Surely you can’t think the OBA is responsible for that???? Oh my lord.
Um.
The OBA cut my salary, they raised my insurance, the let belco hike fees, and my social insurance went up! Who else should I blame.
I didn’t get no damned tax break, unlike the Greens at Hamilton Princess who are multi millionaires!
So you are a Civil Servant?
bra your employer cut ya salary, blame them, ya insurance company raised ya fee, blame them, belco hikes its own fees, blame them, blame ya self and d man dem not d OBA
How many jobs are you creating? The Greens are job creators therefore they get the tax breaks on their investment in Bermuda.
Wow OBA did alot…I know that because I got tired of reading around item number 26.
Way to step it up!
If you call forming committee a lot then… yes they did.
That and tax breaks to millionaires.
Capital spending in the country means they are creating jobs and opportunities.
I guess if you do the same you can apply for a tax break on that too. I don’t understand why you think creating jobs and opportunitie sis bad for Bermuda….Sound more like a GREEN jealous rant.
ps I don’t have money, but I can see when something is good for Bermuda and Bermudians.
So why won’t they “capital spend” to help sick people in the east by keeping the Foggo Urgent Care open. They are not willing to infuse $1.75 Million over 5 years for that, but they will give $20+ million to people who are already rich?
Noone is being given money. There is no money to give.
55. Buttoned my shirt today and didn’t even miss a button!
Yaay! accomplishments!
Great work OBA!!!!!!!
Please tell your children and grandchildren who messed up Bermuda and their futures!
57….. one of our MPs troubles disappear after her Facebook “hacking”
58…..our deputy sues the Opp leader for comments on Facebook……
Smh!
This party is so full of crap. Most of the list is a bunch of nothing that simply fills space. And the most “mentionworthy” things had to be worded in a way that would cause as little irritation as possible on the part of average Bermudians who know exactly who those decisions benefit directly, first and foremost (i.e. not us).
Notice how selective they are with the wording describing some of the more controversial decisions, to suggest improving life for Bermudians was priority number one. Funniest was 23 – Broadened incentives for job makers to deepen their commitment to Bermuda and create work opportunities for Bermudians. NAMELY GIVING AWAY PRC STATUS TO, LOOSELY DEFINED, “SENIOR MANAGERS”… The fact they made a conscious decision not to go into detail on that one says it all…
This time next yeat, item 55. Giving existing and growing pool of PRC holders (under new legislation) voting rights to secure subsequent election victories.. err for the betterment of Bermudians…
If it helps us – go for it!
Wow, they do like to toot their own horn.
A good first year – as a supporter I would like to see more action points next year having been accomplished with respect to the dismal public education system… While I appreciate that things can’t happen overnight the Island will continue to be plagued with social and economic issues long into our future if those that will be forming our workforce continue to be poorly educated and ill prepared to actively participate in moving this Island forward. We have already essentially lost an entire generation over the last 20 years – let’s change things before that statement is true in another 20 years time.