Dear Editor,
Our government has been hinting off and on of the possible implementation of additional taxes. These notifications don’t exactly lend confidence to the business community, but more particular scares the dickens out of the little man. The very idea that we are not told how our taxes are being spent is already a reason for resistance and confrontation.
We also remember too well that the now integrated turn over tax was introduced as a temporary measure that would have disappeared when our budgetary goals were met. Instead it was later raised from three to five percent with the assurance that the wage tax would be reduced; never happened and never will, for governments don’t usually give back injections to the budget, no matter how it pressures the people or the economy.
As a rule, we have a very serious problem with setting real priorities, which stem from our devotion to the next election, instead of the next generation. We read in the press last week that a speaker at the aviation seminar held here recently, cautioned Caribbean governments of continually adding taxes to airline tickets, for it will have the opposite effect than what we intend.
We know now that airfares are for 70 percent consistent of taxes fixed by government, be it federal, state, city or county. And the major airlines now servicing the destination are not going to remain loyal, if seat occupation doesn’t cover the costs of operation. We already know that we are one of the more expensive routes and have no control over that fact.
We are of course knowledgeable of the agreements government signed off on to enable the airport to secure the necessary financing for future development. To attempt now to unilaterally change or alter this can result in serious ramifications for both airport and country.
The expressed opinion of reverting the airport to a department of government is wishful and unreasonable thinking, not just for the fact of financing, but government’s inability to provide the minimum operational personnel in the past that caused us to almost be closed for safety concerns. It would appear that this government is running out of ideas to generate revenue, and of course, an additional tax, however detrimental seems ideal.
Other countries in the Caribbean have film festivals and music festivals which inject millions into the economy and create a substitute to ever-more taxation. The minister of finance in the first week of his term followed up on a set goal of having the casinos which were in arrears with their taxes pay up. For that he deserved the accolades and support he got, for it seems that the biggest fish somehow escaped the tax net.
So the question is what about the hotels? Are they compliant or do we have the same close-down story, while we expand regularly. What about the many car rentals that register half or more of their vehicles French, but continue to collect US $5.00 Government tax which is not turned in. What about applying the laws on the books for the hiring of illegals and no nationals, denying our children a chance at gainful employ.
We must believe that our government can be more decisive and creative in generating revenue for the provision of the services and infrastructure a modern society needs, and to simply consider additional taxes a cure-all. As the old folks say, you can’t get milk out of stone and with an economy with a less-than-one-percent growth room for additional taxes evaporates.
This society is hard pressed to keep up with the number of fees and taxes, and honestly can’t take anymore. Time to get to work; let’s truly build an equitable and fair society where everyone pays his/her fair share and is treated equally by the persons elected to do just that. Pet projects have their place, but not in times of belt tightening, lest that very belt becomes a noose.
Elton Jones
