PHILIPSBURG--United People’s (UP) party leader Member of Parliament (MP) Theo Heyliger is speculating that the current governing coalition will by mid-year, request another postponement of elections.
In a press release on Thursday, Heyliger also speculated that two casino licences will be issued, the formation of new marketing firms and the non-institution of the Integrity Chamber. Heyliger said the latter will result in silence from the Dutch Government.
Regarding the casino licences, he said one will be issued to the Harbour and one to the Airport.
It should be noted that in 2014, former Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Ted Richardson, while part of the then UP-led government, had expanded the casino policy to grant four additional casino licences: two for land-based casinos and two for vessels. The decision was made public just before a change of government. It was stated at the time that the Harbour and Airport had submitted applications for casino licences and two of the licences were for these two entities.
Richardson’s cabinet had said at the time that, “This decision was also in line with our collaboration with the Finance Ministry to see ways to increase government income.” The decision was later annulled due to “misinterpretation and misconception” of the issue and the review of the policy was left to the next TEATT Minister.
In his release, Heyliger asked “What will be the reason the coalition will give (to issue the licences)? The need to stimulate economic activity and revenue for Government via its companies; again, the Dutch Government won't say anything. There will be utter and complete silence as there will about the Casino Gaming Board.”
Heyliger said two more casino licences coming on board will result in a “drastic change” in approach by the coalition to collect casino fees. He said “Finance Minister Richard Gibson will take a radically different stance on the collection of casino debt, citing Government’s needs to readdress the situation. After all, it’s supposed to be an election year and there will be two new casino licences, two of the thorns that were in the side of UP, or should I say, two of the reasons the UP coalition was broken by former coalition members.”
Gibson had said during a recent meeting of the Central Committee of Parliament that the casino sector owed government some US $13 million in taxes that has not been collected and this will be pursued. Sitting TEATT Minister Irania Arrindell had also said recently that based on the National Ordinance on Duties for Game of Chance, holders of casino licences are obligated to pay duties to the Government of St. Maarten.
According to Heyliger the coalition will also issue a number of taxi and bus licences and speculated that there will be no study or impact assessment done. He speculated, as well, that the push to amend the labour laws to address short-term labour contracts will cease.
“Think about the businesses that thrive on short term contracts and think about the two licences that will be issued by NA to keep its coalition together. Also, think about it in terms of it supposedly being an election year,” he said.
Regarding the St. Maarten Tourism Authority (STA) he said: “New marketing firms will be contracted without private sector involvement. Tourism will continue to suffer and the people of St. Maarten by extension.”
On electoral reform he said: “The National Alliance leader said in a past Council of Ministers press conference he will seek the support of the kingdom government on electoral reform. It was a subtle hint, but a telling one, nevertheless. Why seek the help when he was clear only a week before that statement that no outside assistance was needed to bring about reform.”
The UP leader said the coalition is “seeking consent” for a new election date. He said the coalition may get their wish as the “same rules does not apply as when UP is in office.”
Regarding the Integrity Chamber, he said the Dutch Government “won't say anything” if it is not instituted because the National Alliance voted against the Integrity Chamber. “The DP will forget about its integrity campaign. The matter will go dead after all the threats to St. Maarten’s autonomy,” he said.
He also speculated that affordable housing via starter homes and the sewage plant will be stalled. “The sewage situation will continue to be a health hazard and, again, it is the people who will continue to suffer. The Dutch side will be made to look like an unreliable partner for our French-side counterparts on the sewage project,” said Heyliger.
He said the hospital project is being stalled. “It is the method of this coalition to make everything appear sinister to distract from the fact that they do not have solutions or answers, nor can they successfully get anything of true worth to the people of the country.”
