24 hours is really not enough to dissect the first national budget that will underpin this country’s economic recovery over the next fiscal year.
But one can hardly ignore the emerging debate over the diet of sweet morsels, the harsh but necessary medicine or bitter gall – depends on who’s debating what – as the nation pores over the far-reaching changes needed to stay the course, as we have been so admonished by the Prime Minister.
We can at least agree, with near unanimity, that Barbados is not out of the woods, not by a long chalk.
And while most may be austerity-weary, there’s little choice but to press on if we desire to have an economy in which all can benefit and contribute to further development – or at least rising above par with the sick man of Europe, Greece.
As Mottley reminded us: “What we must not do, Mr Speaker, is to blink, is to forget the prize and give up too soon. We must, Mr Speaker, above all else, stay the course.
“The economy is no different from when you have an infection and you have to go on a course of antibiotics. You start to feel better after three or four days – the temperature is down, the pain is not as intense and the fever is going but you can’t stop taking the antibiotics. And God forbid – you certainly cannot yet go for a drink. If you do, you are back where you started.
So we press on, with a little less rhetoric perhaps but that much more elbow grease.
We can surmise that the Budget appears geared towards reviving badly needed growth, stimulating business activity in a sluggish economy and changing the way we do business.
And there are goodies that we can all smile about.
After years of silently bearing the heavy burden of personal income tax, the middle class can at least look forward to the Mottley administration’s detailed plan to broaden the base.
Not only will workers earning under $35,000 a year be exempted from paying income tax, but eligible taxpayers will see a notable decrease in their tax deductions, putting more money back into their pockets.
Taxpayers who have been anxiously awaiting their returns as far back as 2011 are to receive their refunds.
Barbadians, too, were no doubt pleased to hear that domestic water rates will remain the same.
They would also have been heartened to learn that new capital investments are set to generate hundreds of jobs are on the horizon.
But as there is no pain without gain, so Barbadians must take their collective dose for the proverbial purge.
The $1.50 hike in bus fares is perhaps the toughest pill to swallow.
There can be no mistaking that an urgent overhaul is needed at the Transport Board and that current $2 fare was simply inadequate to the task of replenishing the rolling stock.
But the $3.50 fare will bite, not only because citizens have been patiently enduring austerity for a while now, but particularly since bus services remain abysmal at best.
We approve of the Government’s promised discounts to those who have to rely on public transport, and we await keenly the details on possibly a similar initiative for those commuters on routes serviced by Public Service Vehicles.
But the poor service and dwindling fleet must be addressed immediately. If we are required to pay more towards the real cost of travel, at the very least we deserve proper service.
Also in the realm of bitter medicine, the hike in room rates is concerning for the tourism industry as well as is the increase in commercial water rates.
Tourism players have been asking for relief in these areas and the new hikes could have an impact on the sector’s competitiveness.
Adding to concerns is the tax on e-commerce transactions set to take effect from May 1. Government still needs to level with consumers on how this taxation will really work.
So 24 hours is not enough. The debate on the budget will no doubt continue for weeks to come. So we humbly propose that the Government listen to us all, partisan and patriot, acolyte and agnostic alike.
Barbadians accept there is no quick fix to our present economic woes and we believe they are prepared to shoulder the necessary load, aided by sufficient filips, in hope that sacrifice will be rewarded with a brighter future.
For this is the way we live now.
Read our ePaper. Fast. Factual. Free.
Sign up and stay up to date with Barbados' FREE latest news.
BLP hard ball politics since 2008, as a opposition party, is mostly responsible for the country’s present financial ills. I recall the massive waste of money during the Arthur Administration along with the high level of borrowing. Then immediately after losing the general elections in 2008, Arthur started a campaign to destabilize the DLP Administration until he resigned from the BLP in 2010, claiming his party had lost its way. Mia carried on the devious campaign all over the world, discouraging potential investors when ever she spotted them. And here we are at this cross road. Politics in high gear.
JOHNNY CROW: Well said.
Six hours of mostly “dribble”. The biggest to come out of this presentation is the hike in Bus fares. Some persons are blaming the demise of the Transport Board to the “free ride” for our school children. This administration can fix that. All they have to do is just stop it. But do not hold your breath because that will not happen.
This is the Worst Budget in the History of Independent Barbados.
Nothing but a budget of pain and suffering for poor Black people.
But as the old Black Barbadians used to say “night runs until day catches it”. MIA AMOR MOTTLEY and the henchmen in her Govt. will learn that who put you in can take you out.
There are not enough WHITE BAJANS AND INDIAN MUSLIMS registered voters in Barbados to keep them in power.
She and her Govt. of BLACK BARBADIAN politicians continue to decimate the BLACK population in Barbados.
BT are you serious? How much time do you need to dissect the worst budget ever that seem to target the poor and defenseless? How can you explain the fact the while the poor suffer, friends and family of the PM are living the sweet life. How is it that she has allowed many in different statutory corporations to be assigned well paying jobs while employees are being sent home? Why is it that are paying Whiteoats so much money along with all her local consultants. How much did it cost to bring the Prince to Bdos? Who is telling the truth? Sandals or the PM? Who was telling the truth the PM or the chairman of Transport Board in terms of persons having to leave the Board by month end? S
Who says that persons had to laid off? How much money are we saving by layoffs compared to the corporation taxes loss by reducing the amount paid by local and offshore companies? Do a proper analysis Mr.Editor.
This budget was not that bad, it was ok. Those earning at the bottom will pay no direct income tax and those in the middle and the top is due some tax relief.
OFF TOPIC
Breaking News: 34 votes were needed…Court of Appeal rules that 34 votes and not 33 were needed to pass no confidence motion.
Chancellor Yonette Cummings joins Justice Dawn Gregory in ruling that 34 votes were needed for an absolute majority to pass the no confidence motion.
Therefore by a 2 to 1 margin, the Court of Appeal has ruled that the no-confidence motion was not carried based on an absolute majority not being attained.
NEWS SOURCE GUYANA