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by pltm
(PLTM) - The National Democratic Party (NDP) government is not obligated to spell out in detail what it is doing with extra monies it intends to rake in from implementing more taxes on residents and visitors. This was suggested by Fifth District Representative, Hon. Delores Christopher.
"We (government) don't have to spell out what you (we) are going to do with the extra money; we don't have to do that. That is ridiculous," she said in the House of Assembly last week.
Hon. Christopher was responding to questions raised by members of the Opposition, who queried what government intends to do with the monies they are looking to raise through the many taxes they are hiking. At the time, they were debating the bills for increase in hotel accommodation tax and also on import duties for alcohol and tobacco.
"I could very well see why some governments didn't get too far with fulfilling the needs of the country; you can see it. But this is an action government and we are going forward...When St. Thomas decides I need my departure tax, everybody quiet as a lamb, just pay it up, boat fees gone up," Hon. Christopher stated.
"Only when it's on this (BVI) side it's like 'how the poor people going to manage'?...Government must seek out ways and means how it's going to raise its finances."
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader, Hon. Julian Fraser said that due to the many taxes, including departure tax, persons via St. Thomas are unable to travel back and forth, even for funerals.
"...They telling you they can't come anymore because they can't afford the departure tax," he said, to which some members of the government chuckled.
"Government laugh at this. I want the public to see that the government thinks it's funny, that I just made this up. These are facts. I guess you don't hear because you are probably not listening," Hon. Fraser said.
He lamented that the different taxes will add up and are becoming a major burden on residents.
"So Premier, the point I am making is these taxes, they keep increasing, they have real consequences. To you it might not be consequential, but they are to others. A little tax there and a little tax there, all the same set of taxes on the same person. I have to pay NHI, I have to pay departure tax, accommodation tax and it's one after the other, after the other," he stressed.
Hon. Fraser said, "Next thing you know it adds up...All that glitters isn't gold; it might seem easy for us."
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