Shadow Finance Minister Pre Budget Statement
[Written by Shadow Finance Minister David Burt]
Tomorrow the Minister of Finance will present his budget to the country. The PLP are waiting to hear a comprehensive plan that will lead to growth and diversification in our local economy. We also hope that he will bring forward sensible & balanced proposals for growth that we can support as we work together to expand opportunity for Bermudians.
We are also hopeful that he will tell the country if his tax breaks, targeted to non-Bermudians, that were introduced last year to stimulate the construction industry were effective. We continue to experience weakness in the construction sector, and given the delays and controversy surrounding the Former Club Med site, this is a part of the economy that requires urgent attention.
We are equally hopeful that the Minister will not give into the demands of the Chamber of Commerce who seem determined to continue to push for tax breaks for their members and non-Bermudians, while everyday workers are left to bear the brunt of the negative impacts of the budget.
Deficit reduction must be done in a balanced and achievable fashion that shares sacrifice across all sectors of the economy. We await specifics on how deficit reduction will be accomplished, not with across the board cuts, but with specific actions such as consolidation of services and winding up of programs.
We are also anxious to hear about the OBA’s plans to control the health care cost crisis in Bermuda. The OBA has ignored the issue of health care and abandoned the National Health Plan – while health insurance costs are rising, straining our budgets, putting stress on employers, and impacting the take-home pay of all employees. Action on this issue is well overdue and we expect for the government to address this issue.
It should be noted that that the Minster promised public consultation on the SAGE report and did not hold a single town hall meeting open to the public. This lack of consultation is a slap in the face to all Bermudians who will be affected by this budget. We hope that the Minister will finally tell the country what recommendations in the SAGE report his government supports and which ones they reject.
We expect that the Minister will keep the promises that the government has made to their workers and retirees. We understand that some may want the OBA to break even more promises, but with labour relations at a delicate state, any unnecessary provocation of workers would be counterproductive.
Finally on the Matter of Privatisation, the PLP is already on record of standing side by side with the workers of this country to ensure that we stand up for the rights of workers. We will support any and all initiatives to make the delivery of government services more efficient; but we will not support any action that compromises the rights of workers to organise and rolls back the hard fought gains of the labour movement.
The PLP look forward to presenting our reply to the Budget on February 28, 2014 – where we will lay out our alternative plans for the growth, diversification, education and empowerment or Bermuda and Bermudians.
- David Burt
“The OBA has ignored the issue of health care and abandoned the National Health Plan – while health insurance costs are rising, straining our budgets, putting stress on employers, and impacting the take-home pay of all employees.”
This is the #1 issue in Bermuda – and I hope that it does get some attention in the Budget.
Perhaps if we bring down our obesity levels… then maybe our healthcare costs might come down some… have you seen how fat we have become on this rock? It’s time to get off our fat, lazy, butts and do some exercise, and eat right… um jus sayin…
been looking in the mirror huh
That’s right! I did look in de mirror last year and dropped some serious poundage through healthy eating and exercise… obesity is a killer and raises our premiums… but anyway… this is waaaay of topic…
The OBA, clearing up other people’s mess since 2012.
Excuses are tools of the incompetent
which create monuments
of nothingness.
Those who specialize in them
are seldom good in anything…. -
This is always the OBA’ers response. Oba is cleaning up someone’s mess. Stay the hell out of the kitchen if u can’t handle the heat.
Your response statement reaks of contradiction! What excuse do you have for the situation we find ourselves in as a country?
@greed killed Bermuda, I do totally agree with you on that, but what everyone forgets is these costs sky rocketed under the plp and also let’s not forget the EMPLOYER pays half and it is crippling them as well!!! We all need too understand that all these increased costs to all of us is a direct result of way to many people not taking seriously the in efficient ways we conduct ourselves, always thinking being someone else is paying it doesn’t concern me!! Example being, all the un necessary tests that doctors order for patients etc!!! Also this relates to how much the government pays in payroll each year, again way to many think it does not effect them??? They are wrong!!
I am not going to get into all the damage the plp did in their time now, because I think enough sensible people realize that what they did by offering freebies ( which nothing is free BTW ) to Bermuda for nothing more than getting votes from those that don’t understand economics, is unfortanetly come home to roost, and if the plp are not honest and inform their flock, I will all day long!!!!
“also let’s not forget the EMPLOYER pays half and it is crippling them as well!!!”
Is this why you hire employees as “sub-contractors”? In order to skate around the law to be “squeaky clean”, as you put it, yet not have to pay out of your pocket, at their expense? Kinda like the PLP, not illegal, just unethical. But hey, you have made your opinion on Bermudian workers very clear. Enjoy your babysitting service.
@youainksers, what nonsense are you saying??? I only have Bermudians on my payroll!!! You are nothing but a typical un informed idiot that will spout off nonsense with out ever thinking about how stupid you are!!! If you don’t own a business shut the heck up!! The only thing that you said that was correct is, I have a baby sitting service, but only because I have all Bermudians!! But I will tell you straight up, the first time they pulled the nonsense of the ferry workers on me, would be the last time, and I would replace them with all foreign workers in a nano second !!! You are a typical idiot!!!
I wouldn’t say a typical idiot; they’re a whole special type of idiot.
The babysitters must be babysitting the owner!!!!!
Let’s not speculate on tests doctors order. Had my doctor ordered specific tests earlier my cancer would have been caught sooner. We can’t compromise here! Obesity needs to be addressed as it can be prevented and is causing unnecessary health costs.
to me it sounds like you are describing a NO WIN situation…as you say quite correctly, ” while health insurance costs are rising, straining our budgets, putting stress on employers, and impacting the take-home pay of all employees.” whats the chances of any Govt. dictate to the INSURANCE Co’s on how to run their business…the source of our problems are far beyond any Govt. that may rule. As for that National Health Care…apparently you arent aware of the flailing ObamaCare..nuff said.
@keepin real, I actually am very attuned to the disaster of the obamacare, I am married to am American and own property there!! Not only is obamacare a disaster there, it will start effecting us here by next year, and I say next year because he keeps pushing his disaster back!!! Bermudians are so naive when it comes to the impact it is going to have on us, there now is a record number and more everyday of part time employees in
The US, because of this disaster, as more Americans are relegated to part time work they have less money to travel!! So there goes our tourism!! I can’t believe people don’t understand this??? But what the heck, Obama keeps crowing about the un employment numbers decreasing, what he fails to acknowledge is they are part time workers!!!
Yo boy said,”work together”… now that’s funny!!!!!
The PLP and their labour wing the BIU are far more concerned with disrupting Bermuda’s success for their selfish political gains. They will stop at nothing to inconvenience the electorate and besmirch our international reputation through illegal wildcat strikes, sweeping and reckless accusations devoid of facts, petty attempts at one-upmanship and outright hypocrisy.
A rising tide lifts all boats. The PLP would rather shipwreck our economy for their own political gain.
regardless what the OBA decides if its a good idea or bad idea the PLP will neva give them credit as long as PLP are in the shadow of the OBA.
You a carpenter? Just hit the nail on the head. But they just want to be adversarial no matter what.
“We also hope that he will bring forward sensible & balanced proposals for growth that we can support………..”
LOL! Yeah, right! We weren’t born yesterday…….
Where was Burt all those years when we needed him ? The sheer brilliance of his words….his illuminating insight into the problems of the country…his clear desire to solve all the problems we have…
I for one am a-twiiter with excitement….February 28 cannot come soon enough…no doubt Mr Burt will have all the answers or alternatively will just say that the OBA is piggybacking on the PLP’s brillinat economic plans…
Go read the PLP blog (if the embarrassing posts are still there) and you’ll see that Burt was denying that there was a financial problem and attacking people who admitted it.
I think he has said more than enough for this year!
Members of the PLP making their speeches and saying what the people want to hear just to get in power again. EVERYONE knows the same lies they did before will just continue.
Why not wait until the budget is presented before commenting?
Richards is not likely to change anything tonight simply because Burt is spoiling for a fight.
That would be the thing to do. You think?
David Burt stands out in the ‘Class of 2012′ by a mile. His intelligence, debate skills, research skills and sheer commitment to his constituency and country places him head and shoulders above all of the other new MP’s – from both parties. There are several ‘new’ MP’s who, some 14 months into the Government term, have failed to make any impact at all. We seldom hear from them and in the rare instance we do, we determine that they can’t debate, aren’t knowledgeable (cue the comment from the OBA MP who didn’t even know the Auditor General’s budget was tax-payer funded) and are mere bench warmers. David Burt is assuring the voters in his constituency that they have a true representative.
David Burt – be fearless, you are a credit and continue to emerge as a leader.
@ethics, so says the person that actually had to study ETHICS??? Are you really serious when you say what you did about RUM SWIZZLE Burt ?? Come on!!! I just lost my cocktail all over my iPad on that one!!! What on earth has this world come too with the thinking of people like ethics??? Again I will ask you, did you really study ethics??? If you did, I will give you a F, because you have know clue what an ethical person is, or anything ethical for that matter!!!! Only God can help us now with that type of thinking!! Give me a break!!!!
how do you have time to run a business with all these posts
Mr. Js. Good afternoon Sir .
Don’t get all up set, because the K……….car a man who gives of his time,he is brilliant person, well organized and educated in the ways of the world.
Hey bie ! There are those of us who can sing, dance ,and chew gum at the same time.
lol….are you for real or did you forget the sarcasm hashtag….just need to be sure
This post is so full of hot air that I wonder if “Ethics 101″ is just another “Bud”.
Well said Bro. David Burt. You have spoken volumes. The PLP does, indeed, care about the welfare of Bermudians–though I can’t say the same for the OBA.
@messenger, you are brilliant!!! The plp put more Bermudians out of work in the last 5 yrs of their reign of terror in all of Bermudas history, and you think the plp cares about Bermudians well being??? Man are you stupid!!!!
“The plp put more Bermudians out of work in the last 5 yrs of their reign of terror in all of Bermudas history”.
I disagree and find your statement totally untrue. As soon as the OBA got in power they made the environment safe for many many companies to lay people off without cause. I myself have many friends and relatives who were working under the PLP and who suddenly found themselves without jobs soon after OBA were elected.
The PLP does, indeed, care about the welfare of Bermudians– That’s funny, You should write for SNL
Unless they happen to be gay.
You mean “some” Bermudians they don’t give 2 s#$%% about me, my family or those that “look like me”.
LOL
He also is a very handsome man !
I remember Burt,before the election boasting that the annual balance of payment deficit was less than the previous year. He did not mention that the country’s national debt had increased by hundreds of millions; something we should have been grateful for!?
As an OBA voter for change the time for blaming and using we don’t have money is over.. Pass what laws are needed to pass and bring in more tax revenue so we can bring construction from these so called investors back and get people employed. Blame game is over, and like most people getting tired seeing school yard s*** in the news. Time to start working on those promises you only have three years left to make it or get out….I don’t care how many meetings you have to fly or be flown to, just get it done end of story!!!!!!!
I find David Burt’s comments quite amusing especially his last sentence. The PLP are now going to lay out their plan for growth in Bermuda. How funny is that? Where was the growth in diversification and education when the PLP were in power for 14 years? Bermuda is over $2B is debt thanks to the PLP government. The only way to stimulate growth is by cutting government’s biggest expense – salaries. Can’t wait to see what the PLP’s growth plan for Bermuda will be – selling marijuana to bring the debt down? Really?? What a great image for Bermuda.