Parliament adopted the 2025 budget late Friday, halfway into January but still earlier than many times in the recent past. It will be amended, not only due to proposals made during the meeting, but also as a result of plans for both income-generating measures and additional expense.
Several ministers had already indicated that amounts available for their respective portfolios don’t suffice and more is needed. However, amendments are nothing new and even occur at the end of the year as was the case last December.
That’s hardly a desirable scenario but also has to to do with the role of the Committee for Financial Supervision CFT. Its requirements include no regular service deficits.
Having the budget approved and signed into law is important especially for those who receive funding from government. While payments can still occur based on the 2024 version, any “new” expenditures would normally need to wait.
Several motions were passed unanimously, which is a sign of political maturity.
Interestingly, one calling on government to begin preparations for constitutional referendum tied in votes. Soualiga Action Movement (SAM) leader Franklin Meyers gave his support along with the opposition, even though the rest of the coalition voted against it.
This was no big surprise, as he is a well-known “independista” as were several others on the party’s candidate list. Because Party for Progress (PFP) faction member Ludmilla de Weever was absent, this mean seven for and seven against, ultimately dismissing the motion.
The remaining coalition members argued that the Constitution of St. Maarten says Parliament rather than the Council of Ministers is to initiate a referendum. They insisted this ought to be handled by the legislature itself.
It’s a fundamental matter over which the people should indeed always have the final say. However, this would be already the third referendum on the issue in three decades, raising questions about the sense of such exercises.
Perhaps asking residents whether they actually want yet another one in the first place would be a good way to start.
