Hashtag: #BurchallReport
“Personnel Costs Must Be Reduced”
[Written by Sir John.Swan and Larry Burchall] In the 12 December 2011 Pre-Budget Report (PBR) and Ministerial Statement (MS), the Finance Minister acknowledged the depth of Bermuda’s economic situation. The Minister recognizes that revenue is unlikely to improve substantially and that even after spending cuts, planned spending levels will still stay... Read more of this article
Foreign Workforce Effect on GDP
[Written by Sir John Swan and Larry Burchall] We would like to thank the Bermuda Public for the support that the Regeneration of Bermuda’s Economy initiative has received. Coming out of all of the comments, suggestions and queries, one area that stood out as requiring further clarification is the aspect of why International Business (IB) and the foreign... Read more of this article
Burchall: Change And More Change
[Written by Larry Burchall] “Death is rarely a pretty or happy event. Sometimes, though, death is theatrical. I recall watching old-time cowboys die on the silver screen. They’d get hit. Stagger three steps to the left. A half step to the right. Knees would buckle and their upper body would subside in a slow dramatic fall. Then, with a dying breath... Read more of this article
Opinion: Tucker’s Point Is “Developer’s Mistake”
[Written by Larry Burchall] I’m glad I went on the “SDO” walk around the Tucker’s Point project. I saw and learned a lot and came to a surprising conclusion. I was curious about the whole development because for some years, I had seen the advertising for those beautiful units up on Ships Hill. I confess that my Bermudian heart hankered after... Read more of this article
Opinion: Diversification – What Is That?
[Written by Larry Burchall] During the lead-up to this Budget Debate and with all the talk about Bermuda’s economic present and future, one concept keeps popping up – diversification. The principle thought behind diversification is that Bermuda needs to have another one or two legs to support or even supplant Tourism and International Business.... Read more of this article
History: Christmas Report from 1816
In “Slavery in Bermuda”, historian James E Smith records that the big holiday of the year was Christmas; but he goes on to say that “their festive activities were not always greeted with stoic calm by the rest of the community.” Mr Smith quotes a newspaper article from November 1816 that was looking forward to the coming Christmas of 1816,... Read more of this article
Burchall: BELCO’s Big Freeze
[Written by Larry Burchall] Belco has been pumping out ‘leckalight since 1907, so it has been through lots of economic twists and turns. Despite that, every time we hit a switch the ‘leckalight comes through proving that Belco is still doing what it does best. Create and distribute ‘leckalight. Belco’s announcement of a pay and rates freeze... Read more of this article
Burchall by By-Election: Winners & Losers
[Written by Larry Burchall] The vote came in. There was a winner and there were losers. That’s the rough side of the democratic process and one candidate summed it up when he said that “politics is a nasty game”. Post victory, on a nasty cold winter night, discussing his just announced victory, Mr Bean also said that the BDA and UBP should not... Read more of this article
Opinion Column: Paycuts are Coming
[Written by Larry Burchall] If, as promised, the Minister for Finance cuts $150,000,000 from next year’s Budget, the Minister will be slashing some Government services and operations, as well as cutting Civil Service and BIU employee pay. Or the Minister may try an accounting sleight-of-hand and say that only ‘capital spending’ will be cut. Out... Read more of this article
Larry Burchall: GDP and Economics 101
(Written by Larry Burchall) The headlines scream GDP DOWN 5.8%. To most people that’s gobbledegook – until the GDP stuff kicks them in the backside. Then, too late, most people will wake up and wonder WTFH? Here’s a clear and simple explanation – Economics 001 – that will let you see the ‘kick-in-the-backside’ that is already... Read more of this article
Opinion: Burchall On Migrant Workers Wages
[Written by Larry Burchall] The BIU jumping to the defence of the people they call Migrant Workers is like a steak eater jumping to the defence of beef cattle. Over twenty years ago, in 1988, the agreed Union rate for a Bermuda mason was $21 an hour and a skilled labourer was supposed to be paid the union rate of $13.00 an hour. Twenty years later,... Read more of this article
Burchall: A Retrospective on Dr Ewart Brown
[Written by Larry Burchall] Premier Dr Ewart Brown was a strong and aggressive leader. Perfectly suited to leading a revolt or fighting for change. As a 1960’s student at America’s Howard University, he did both. After almost three decades living as a black professional, amongst black minority Americans, he came back to Bermuda, and jumped into... Read more of this article
