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‘I am not encouraged by this budget’- Hon Walwyn
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) presented a $488,699,871.00 budget for 2025 during the Twenty-first Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly (HoA) on Monday, November 11, 2024, under the theme ‘Laying the Blocks of Success’.
The budget debate began today Wednesday, December 18, 2024, following the conclusion of an over three weeks exercise called Standing Finance Committee (SFC) on December 12, 2024. The FSC comprised the whole HoA where the proposed 2025 budget was examined clause by clause and engaged Legislators, Heads of Public Bodies, and Central Government along with Permanent Secretaries.
Hon Walwyn gave his contribution to the 2025 budget debate today during the continuation of the Twenty-first Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth HoA.
Expenses surpass income
Hon Walwyn expressed disappointment in the fact that the proposed recurrent expenditure surpasses recurrent income in the Virgin Islands as outlined in the 2025 budget.
“You have a total revenue of 410 million dollars, but you have a recurrent expenditure of 411 million dollars...that is a problem,” he said.
While Hon Walwyn said he can be corrected, he cannot recall a time in modern VI history when a budget was presented, and the expenditure was more than the revenue.
“It has never been the case,” he said, “That will be the legacy of this Premier and Minster of Finance, the first minister in so many years...that caused this country to have more expenditure than revenue in a given year.”
‘I am not encouraged by this budget’- Hon Walwyn
Meanwhile, Hon Walwyn went on to admonish the government as a citizen of the VI adding, “I am not encouraged by what I have seen, I am not encouraged by this budget in many respects.”
The opposition members said he remains concerned about the economy of the Territory.
“The economy is flat on its back, and I don’t see a plan, Madame Speaker, to get us out of what we are in,” Hon Walwyn lamented.
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24 Responses to “‘I am not encouraged by this budget’- Hon Walwyn”
A neww nd improved larger prison with;
A civilian staff and additional salaried policemen and also additional judicial staff and Courthouse.
ETCETERA...
We deserve the Independence to our deserved detriment..UK given the last laugh along with previous Governor Jaspert still laughing
Wee will have additional expenditure
Well, they are just continuing what their former leader, AF started. An entire $8M on that. Really? This is unbelievable. I have to check the Budget for myself because i believe you are being sarcastic or just plain lying. There's no way that was included. Thamaturgy is the application of magic to effect change in the physical World. Why would the Territory require such nonsense then again i might be missing something? How long are we going to idly stand by and let this Government take us down a rabbit hole then off a cliff. Its time we stand up and make them accountable for all this #$$%^&$@. We deserve better so we should ensure they do better.
Definition: The performance of miracles, especially through incantation. It can also refer to things that seem unexplainable, like a movie illusion or a sports team's comeback
Moreover, does the constitution require passing a balanced budget? Does governnents past and current run budget deficits? What is a budget? A budget is an estimate of expenses, revenues, etc. It is a fiscal road map. It is a political document. It has aspects of a game theory. Nonetheless, Virgin Islanders and other residents should expect maximum budget efficiency.
Further, where does government revenue comes from?? Taxes, fees, fines, etc. Does government have to prudently borrow to meet citizens and the territory growing needs? Yes. Is the government Debt to GDP healthy enough to prudently borrow to meet its needs?Yes. Are citizens crying out for more and better services but showing a screaming disdain to pay a cent more in taxes to pay for increase serves? Yes. Is the refusal earned? Yes. Government is behaving like a bird which messed in its own nest. It is not maximizing efficiently its limited budget resources.? Yes. Is it putting priority on expenditure? No. Are concerts funding a priority? …. Stealth out…????????????????
Moneys for the Senagalese retained and installed within the Gov by the dishonorable and disgraced Andrew Fahie.
Upon voted out of political office and placed on the other side of the fence, look at finger pointing rather than the 13 of them we elected work hand in hand for the great good of the people and the country
The same ones who were there for years.
NONE OF THEM BETTER THAN THE OTHER.
Now they want to brag about cruise ship passengers. Let me refresh your memory as well, VIP was against this project. The only thing the have accomplished is to build a match box up Trellis Bay.