Budget Address Response – March 24, 2015 - Hon. Lillian Misick (March 2015)
Budget Address Response – March 24, 2015 - Hon. Lillian Misick
Mr. Speaker,
I salute the Government, and commend the Minister of Finance for presenting the 2015/2016 Budget on time. Mr. Speaker, I believe it is important that as we acknowledge the positive outcomes and the financial performance, and the success that this government has achieved to date, it is also important that we acknowledge that the success that this government has achieved to date, are due to the prudent financial principles and sound structures initiated and implemented by the Interim Administration.
I applaud the Minister of Finance who has embraced and adhered to the stringent measures and guidelines which have enabled the Government to achieve the success it has to date. This Budget Mr. Speaker, vindicates all who have been criticized and berated over the merits of the Sinking Fund and the other structures which form the basis for our financial freedom going forward. The plant is now bearing fruit; I applaud him for recognizing that the astute investor is by no means myopic, he invests for the long term.
This Mr. Speaker is the cornerstone and pillar on which investors are now using as a yardstick in dealing with the country as a whole.
Yesterday in this House, we heard the Minister of Finance, the Leader of the Opposition and the Governor’s Appointed member, male, speak of the positive benefits derived from sound fiscal policies and stable government. Indeed the Minister of Finance paid tribute to the late leader of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew, for transforming his country into an international force to be reckoned with based on the sound financial principles he adopted.
The Governor’s appointed member said that there is a striking similarity between Singapore and us…stable government. This sentiment was also recently expressed when the acting Permanent Secretary and the refinancing Advisor met with regional institutions in Trinidad and Tobago with regards to refinancing the government’s debt…sound financial structures. And the Governor, in the Throne speech presented earlier this month noted the symbiotic relationship between the Public Financial Management Structures and debt restructuring, and cautioned against the tampering of these structures. I again applaud the Minister for his stance in this regard. However, I note with amusement though that the Minister appeared to have overlooked the fact that the officials recognized and commented on the stability of our relationship with the UK as an integral component in our future endeavors.
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Finance said that not a single dime will come from new taxes to support this $224.7m budget.
I know the Minister of Finance is an avid reader of substantial literature; he opened his remarks by quoting from Charles Dickens "A tale of two cities". I believe Mr. Speaker that the Minister may have read and been guided by the sound advice of
Ali ibn Abi Talib, the first fourth Caliph of the Islamic state; in his letter to the Governor of Egypt, Malik al-Ashtar some 14 centuries ago. A careful reading of the quote below shows that he explicitly says that revenues might rise in time because of this reduction of taxes. He writes:
"If the tax-payers complain to you of the heavy incidence to taxation, of any accidental calamity, of the vagaries of the monsoons, of the recession of the means of irrigation, of floods, or destruction of their crops on account of excessive rainfall and if their complaints are true, then reduce their taxes. This reduction should be such that it provides them opportunities to improve their conditions and eases them of their troubles. Decrease in state income due to such reasons should not depress you because the best investment for a ruler is to help his subjects at the time of their difficulties. They are the real wealth of a country and any investment on them even in the form of reduction of taxes, will be returned to the State in the shape of the prosperity of its cities and improvement of the country at large. At the same time you will be in a position to command and secure their love, respect and praises along with the revenues."
Having regard for the foregoing, I believe the people of this country welcome the removal of the Freight and insurance Tax which has made the costs of basic items prohibitive. Mr. Speaker, this was compounded by the unscrupulous practices of some business persons who capitalized on this by increasing their prices weekly, and sometimes daily. The mention of the government’s intent to increase minimum wage, saw an immediate escalation in prices at the supermarkets. The prices of goods are not displayed on the items, and I believe this is deliberately done to manipulate prices on the scanners. If, as the Minister opines that “…we (govt) are on a path that is generally to the advantage of the masses,” then I look forward to an allocation in this budget for increase resources to police this sector.
Mr. Speaker, the Minister in referencing employment said that “The Government is fully aware that the day to day life can be rough for some of our people. But, he said, the notion of unemployment is not borne out by the facts, and pointed to a correlation between unemployment and crime rate. Needless to say, Mr. Speaker, he provided no evidence to support the assertion. I believe that the NIB/NHIB data will give a reasonably accurate indication of the number of persons who are employed. The data used is based on receiving monthly reported employment of all individuals in the employment of employers, plus all self employed. It won’t be absolutely accurate because we do not have accurate population data or accurate labour force data, so it makes it hard to predict unemployment.
However, Mr. Speaker, the issue as I see it, is not the unemployment rate, it is how to get “TIs” fully employed. This requires a three pronged strategy, namely:
1. Undertake a study to identify those persons who are unemployed and under employed. This includes setting up a website and office where TIs can self identify as being unemployed or under employed in a confidential fashion so that the Labour Dept officials can assist them. As part of this process persons would get career counseling and assistance in developing areas of skills aptitude.
2. Establishing a customized “Skills Matching” system to match individuals to job opportunities. The job matching would identify what each person requires and to set out an action plan to maximize the changes of employment. Unemployed persons are interviewed to determine skills and expertise and what they need in order to be employed. This might include assistance in identifying jobs, interview training, etc for unemployed persons or “skills upgrading” programs to give persons with basic qualifications additional skills, or setting up specific “mentoring” jobs where the staff persons may understudy other persons. Mr. Speaker, I am of the view that The Immigration Ordinance should move away from broad brush bureaucratic systems and focus attention on ensuring that those who need employment are targeted to places where they can get the employment or are given additional resources to help them get there.
3. Linking scholarships and training funds to giving priority to persons who are un employed or under employed in order to maximize their chances of success and also ensure that those who take the training and succeed are “bonded” to return to TCI to contribute to the country.
And Mr. speaker, if we are truly sincere about vocational training, we need to expunge the negative connotation ascribe to the vocational sector, that this group is not academically inclined and halt the promotion of a caste system in this country. Mr. Speaker, the vocational areas are that sector where the majority of jobs are generated, and the hourly rate for these persons are far above the minimum rate. It is time that we recognize that this is vital not only for the balanced development of this country but that it is the cornerstone of any economy.
There is a fourth strategy element and that is for the Government to become actively involved in developing the SME sector. Mr. Speaker, I note the Government’s decision to slash Business Licence fees by an average of 50%, essentially to the level where it was at before the tax increases. The Minister further said that it is anticipated that this will encourage more Belongers to launch or expand their businesses. Mr. Speaker, many of our local persons who could not find work in the past few years have gone into business and have failed, not because they lacked the characteristics of business persons, but because they need access to financing and they are getting little if any assistance. The SME study has recommended creating a SME Enterprise Center and I fully endorse that concept and I urge the Government to allocate the necessary financial resources for its establishment. The Premier promised a big push on SME development in the Throne Speech and that is a key element of success. I believe therefore that we are on the same page in this regard.
Mr. Speaker, the Business community, residents of Grand Turk, particularly Community College students and taxi drivers, who must endure the treacherous ordeal each and every day commuting on the Lighthouse Road, are disheartened by the fact that the government has made a conscious decision in this budget not to make provision for works to be undertaken immediately to repair the worst road in Grand Turk. Traversing this road places every commuter at risk. A college student has describe this commute as “the HOLEY experience.’ (I repeat HOLEY)
Mr. Speaker, taxi drivers and other service providers have also expressed their concerns given the negative feedback from their clients, and the adverse impact it is having on their business, and the country as a tourist destination. It is noteworthy and appalling that the students and visitors who are such an integral part of this economy have to endure such an ordeal. Drivers have taken to the bush, creating new road to avoid the increasing craters. The question asked by many is why is the government consciously seeking to destroy the economy of Grand Turk, given the importance of the industry and on which the financial well being of so many hinges? The Minister acknowledged that cruise ship passengers increased by 24.8%, and he further noted that this sector is the real bone to the economy of Grand Turk. It has been mooted that the Government says it is not their responsibility to fix the road. Pray tell, whose responsibility is it? This is a serious concern and I urge the government to address it forthwith.
Mr. Speaker, I have commented in this House about the importance of ensuring that public servants receive the requisite training to execute their tasks efficiently and effectively. The myriad complaints about locals not having the opportunity to ascend to top positions in this country, is on going. While, Mr. Speaker, I understand the need to source skills from outside in certain instances, there is a critical need for oversight to ensure that those charged with the responsibility have the relevant experience and there is transferal of knowledge and skills to ensure continuity. I am therefore heartened that the government has recognized its importance to sustainable development and allocated $250,000 to ensure access to personal and professional opportunities.
Mr. Speaker, it behooves our young public servants, and young people in general, to understand that no position in this country is tattooed on their umbilical cord. I believe in and subscribe to the principle of meritocracy.
It would be remiss of me therefore if I do not add a word of caution and advice particularly to our young public servants and by extension to the youth of this country. And that Mr. Speaker is, ‘the elevator to success is out of order, you need to take the stairs, one step at a time.’
Mr. Speaker, Alfred North Whitehead, a 19th century mathematician and philosopher said,
"No one who achieves success does so without the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude."
I wish therefore to join the Minister of Finance and the Leader of the Opposition in commending the public servants who have worked tirelessly to ensure the completion of this budget for its on time presentation to the House.
Thank You Mr. Speaker
Youth Expression: Essay Rap and Poster Competition
NEWS RELEASE: Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence Successfully Host First Youth Expression: Essay Rap and Poster Competition
The Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence (DMHSD) hosted its first annual Youth Expression: Essay, Rap and Poster competition under the theme, “Help for today, hope for tomorrow”.
The event was aimed at creating awareness about the important public health issue of underage drinking and to encourage individuals and families to get help for alcohol or drug related problems.
The event was held on Monday, March 02, 2015 at the Gustavus Lightbourne Auditorium, Providenciales.
Members of the audience witnessed an array of talented performers who showcased not only their artistic ability, but also demonstrated their leadership in the fight against alcohol and drug abuse.
Winners for the various categories were a follows:
Art/Poster competition:
Category 1 (Grades 2 & 3)
1st Place- Jonathan Hosey (Shinning Stars)
2nd Place - Xavier Malcolm (Ona Glinton Primary)
3rd Place – Samarii Missick (Ona Glinton Primary)
Category 2 (Grades 4-6)
1st Place- Daveon Durham (Enid Capron Primary School)
2nd Place- Fredline Morency (Enid Capron Primary School)
3rd Place- Raheem Hall (Iris Stubbs Primary School)
Essay Competition
1st Place- Rashaundra Cooke (Marjorie Basden High)
2nd Place- Claudenise Jean (Marjorie Basden High)
3rd Place- Htenneb Williams ( Wesley Methodist School)
Rap Competition
1st Place- Luywine Francis (H J Robninson High)
2nd Place- Joel Occius (Marjorie Basden High)
3rd Place- Natalia Rigby (Marjorie Basden High)
Judges included: Bennett Williams, Charlotte Chapman and Dwight Outten- Art Competition, Lynette Higgs, Tatianna McTaire and Edwin Taylor-Essay Competition and Romaine Pinnock, Twiston Forbes and Sophia Thomas- Rap Competition.
Contestants were judged in general for creativity, originality, interpretation of the theme and overall presentation.
The Department wishes to thank all the schools that participated and everyone who helped to make the event a success.
Special thanks also goes out to the following sponsors:
Do It Center, Caribbean Management, Islandcom, Provo Water, Lew 1 Shipping, First Caribbean,
K K & T Rentals, and Royal Jewels
The Transporter Refueled
The producers of Lucy and the Taken trilogy bring you the next adrenaline-fueled installment of The Transporter series, THE TRANSPORTER REFUELED, starring newcomer Ed Skrein as Frank Martin, the most highly-skilled transporter money can buy. The stakes are greater and technology better, but the same three simple rules apply: never change the deal, no names and never open the package.
{Vimeo}123025718{/Vimeo}
Windows 10 Upgrades Will Be Free—Even For Pirated Copies
Microsoft has announced that it will give be giving free upgrades of Windows 10 to anyone who uses Windows right now—even if they're currently running pirated copies of the operating system.
Speaking to Reuters, Microsoft's operating system chief Terry Myerson explained from China that Microsoft will be "upgrading all qualified PCs, genuine and non-genuine, to Windows 10." (It's not yet exactly clear as to what counts as "qualified"; we've reached out to Microsoft to find out.) The move is apparently an attempt to "re-engage" users that currently run pirated software in China. Illegal version of Windows are a huge problem there: recent estimates suggest that 75 percent of PCs in the country run pirated copies of the OS.
Update: There are conflicting reports online about whether the free upgrade will be limited to China or not. We're still waiting for Microsoft to get back to us to confirm exactly what the deal is.
Update 2: We've not heard back from Microsoft yet, but The Verge has—and it's good news for any pirate out there, wherever you are. In a statement issued to them, Microsoft explained that "[a]nyone with a qualified device can upgrade to Windows 10, including those with pirated copies of Windows. We believe customers over time will realize the value of properly licensing Windows and we will make it easy for them to move to legitimate copies."
Microsoft has already announced that upgrades to Windows 10 will be free for the first year, aligning with the Apple strategy of making the OS essentially a free product. To bring everyone in line, it makes sense to offer the same upgrade to pirated copies—even if it does feel a little like rewarding bad behaviour. We found out yesterday that Windows 10 will be available this summer. [Reuters on Re/code]
French government orders website block
The French authorities have used new powers to block five websites, which they claim condone terrorism, without a court order.
Internet service providers have 24 hours to comply.
The chairman of European Internet Service Provider OVH tweeted that his firm had not been given any warning.
The new powers apply to sites suspected of commissioning or advocating terrorism or distributing indecent images of children.
The rules were approved along with other counter-terrorism measures by the French parliament last year.
It is the first time they have been put to use to block websites without going through a court process.
Visitors to the sites affected are now directed to a page from the French Interior Ministry, containing a graphic of a big red hand.
Following the attack on French magazine Charlie Hebdo in January, interior ministers from 11 European countries including France expressed concern in a joint statement at "the increasingly frequent use of the internet to fuel hatred and violence".
They added that they were determined to ensure that "the internet is not abused to this end, while safeguarding that it remains... a forum for free expression."
Toyota to recall over 110,000 vehicles
Toyota Motor (7203.T-JP) is recalling more than 110,000 vehicles, the automaker said Wednesday.
The company announced that it will conduct a safety recalls of approximately 2,500 2012–2014 RAV4 EV vehicles, and approximately 110,000 2015 Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, and 2014-2015 RAV4 cars.
Owners of the involved vehicles will receive a notification in the mail, Toyota said.
For the recall-involved RAV4 EV vehicles, components in the Electric Vehicle Traction Motor Assembly (part of the propulsion system) "may cause the vehicle to shift to 'neutral' due to a software issue," Toyota said.
Read More Global auto sales remain on uptrend: IHS
"If the vehicle shifts to 'neutral', this will result in a complete loss of drive power, which can increase the risk of a crash," the recall notice stated.
For the involved Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid and RAV 4 cars, Toyota's recall said that "a circuit board for the electric power steering (EPS) may have been damaged during its manufacturing process."
This could result in the loss of power steering assist, the notice said, which could lead to "in increased steering effort at low vehicle speeds and increases the risk of a crash."
Toyota said it is not aware of any crashes, injuries or fatalities from either of the vehicle problems.
Russian auto market collapsing, but luxury cars still a must
MOSCOW
Russia's auto market is in freefall. As financial turmoil in the country makes cars more expensive by the day, demand for many brands has almost evaporated.
Sales fell 38 percent in the year to February, with mid-market brands like Ford plummeting 78 percent, eating into earnings and threatening production. Only luxury cars are still holding up as richer Russians count on them as status symbols — even if that means cutting back on other aspects of life.
"Russians can allow themselves to rent a room in a shared flat on the fifth floor of a Khrushchev-era apartment building, live very poorly, but still drive an Audi," said Tatiana Lukavetskaya, the CEO of Rolf, a major car dealer in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
"That's because everyone sees how I drive, but no one sees how I live."
While sales for Chevrolet were down 74 percent in February and General Motors' Opel saw a 86 percent nose-dive, Mercedes, Lexus and BMW have all seen a rise. Audi fell, but by less than the market as a whole.
Oksana Isaeva, sales manager for a jewelry firm, is in the market for her third Audi in a row. She's feeling the financial pinch, but would rather buy a smaller Audi — a Q3 rather than a Q5 — than go for a lower-class brand of car.
"It's happened because of the economic situation in the country. It's a drop in the class of car, unfortunately," she said.
For Russian car buyers, the financial pain is twofold. Prices have risen as the plunging value of the ruble has made imports more expensive - even cars made in Russia use many imported parts. Meanwhile, banks are unwilling to lend to prospective car buyers at anything but punitive rates.
"Even if the bank gives its approval to the loan, the rate starts somewhere around 20 percent," says Andrei Toptun, chief analyst at specialist research firm Autostat.
Russia's car sales statistics, already poor, are being propped up artificially, he claims.
The weak value of the ruble means businessmen from neighboring ex-Soviet states now buy cars in Russia for use in Belarus or Central Asia, Toptun says. "Consumers come to Russia from Kazakhstan, buy a car and send it back home to Kazakhstan," says Toptun. With those exports taken out of the equation, he estimates that Russia's auto sales fell more by more than half in February.
Many of the most popular U.S. and European brands rushed to open factories in Russia over the last 15 years, with local plants offering a way to avoid onerous Russian import duties and exploit a then-growing market.
The operations are not a big part of the companies' sales — only 2 percent of GM's annual 9.9 million sales last year, or 1 percent of Ford's 6.3 million. But the trouble downgrades a potentially lucrative market they had been hoping to develop. Now those firms are left sitting on overcapacity and, in some cases, potentially damaging labor disputes.
At Ford's flagship Russian factory in St. Petersburg, the crashing market is threatening jobs and straining labor relations, according to local union boss Igor Temchenko, who told The Associated Press workers will strike Monday for an indefinite period. That is a rare occurrence in Russia, where many unions are poorly organized or pressured by politicians not to rock the boat.
Ford has opted to limit its pain by cutting production and raising prices. Its sales were down 78 percent in February, according to figures from the Moscow-based Association of European Businesses. That is the opposite path to that taken by South Korean sister brands Hyundai and Kia, who have limited price rises and eaten up market share. Together, they now sell more cars in Russia than even Soviet-era giant Lada, the traditional No. 1.
Ford's strategy has been to switch the St. Petersburg plant to a part-time working week, which has worried labor leaders like Temchenko. The main demand for next week's strike is a guarantee that any workers who are laid off will receive compensation.
The company is calm about the prospect of a strike after earlier rumors of one failed to materialize, Liza Novikova, vice-president of the Ford Sollers U.S.-Russian joint venture which runs Ford's operations in Russia, said in an e-mail. She added that, although no layoffs are planned for the St. Petersburg factory, the company is keen to cut expenditure.
The joint venture plans to "scrutinize every part of the business to reduce costs and to try to limit the financial impact the current economic situation is having," she said.
Fans demand BBC reinstate 'Top Gear' host Clarkson
LONDON (Reuters) -- Nearly 450,000 fans from around the world have backed a petition calling for British host Jeremy Clarkson to be reinstated to his job hosting the "Top Gear" motoring show after the BBC suspended him following a "fracas" with a producer.
Clarkson, renowned for his outspoken remarks and acerbic attitude towards "political correctness," was suspended by the BBC on Tuesday, with media reporting that he had thrown a punch at a producer following a row about food.
"I'm off the to the job center," the 54-year-old presenter told reporters today before getting into a car outside his home in west London.
The suspension has set social media abuzz. The hashtags #BringBackClarkson and #fracas, plus “Top Gear,” were top 10 trending topics in the U.K. on Twitter today.
Clarkson, a friend of Prime Minister David Cameron, was already on a final warning over accusations last year that he had used racist language while filming the show, the latest in a long line of incidents which had courted criticism.
"He's been involved in a bit of a dust-up but I don't think it's that serious," co-host James May told BBC TV.
"Top Gear," aired in more than 200 countries and estimated to have a global audience of some 350 million, has become one of the BBC's most successful and lucrative programs.
In an official statement, the BBC said the show would not be aired this Sunday and the corporation's news website said it was unlikely the other two remaining episodes would be transmitted.
The Guardian newspaper said that could leave the BBC's commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, facing a multi-million pound bill from foreign broadcasters for failing to deliver the episodes on time.
Meanwhile an online petition demanding the BBC reinstate Clarkson had attracted 442,610 supporters from all around the globe by this Wednesday afternoon.
"The BBC will become irrelevant very quickly in the USA without Top Gear; be careful," wrote one signatory Fred Bertsch from Denver, Colo.
"Jeremy Clarkson ist Top Gear!!!!" said Austrian Karl-Johann Reitmaier.
Clarkson became the popular face of Top Gear by mixing a passion for cars with blunt banter and swagger that has offended groups ranging from mental health charities and cyclists to Mexico's London ambassador.
The presenter and his employers have been forced to apologize on a number of occasions. He wrote in his Sun newspaper column in May that he had been told by the BBC that if he made "one more offensive remark, anywhere at any time, I will be sacked."