October 5, 2020
Kamla Hopes For ‘People-Centered’ Budget
As the nation waits to hear the Finance Minister’s budget presentation this afternoon, Opposition Leader, Kamla Persad Bissessar says she’s hoping the Minister puts forward a “people-centered” budget.
In particular, Persad-Bissessar is hoping to see no introduction of new taxes, and fiscal measures to strengthen the State’s provision for students who have yet to access tools to participate in virtual learning.
See Persad-Bissessar’s full statement ahead of Monday’s budget reading:
What do we all hope to see in the Budget today?
As those of you with jobs go out to work today along with those wanting jobs to build a better T&T for all, I am sure you all hope as I do that the budget being presented today is one that is people centered and not one to add further hardship.
We have seen the recurring nature of this Government to be completely “anti-people” by making financial decisions that exclude the vast majority of the population.
It is not too late to rescue our nation if the right priorities are addressed in this year’s budget. The focus must be on the people and this can be achieved through specific areas of importance, some of which are:
*Jobs – I have been inundated with cries from many wanting jobs, especially those who lost their jobs prior to the pandemic as well as those who were sent home due to many businesses having closed their doors. How can we preserve jobs? We proposed that Government assist businesses through a wage subsidy. The UNC also had an entire National Economic Transformation Masterplan which outlined clear strategies to create jobs.
*Education – What is the plan to ensure that no children are left behind because their families cannot afford IT devices? Further, what will be done to ensure that our students are equipped with the knowledge and skills to take advantage of the fourth industrial revolution?
*No additional tax burden – no property tax or any other additional taxes.
*Affordable Food – I call on the government, in a year when many have been financially weakened, to even consider the removal of VAT on a wider variety of food items so we can ensure that our citizens do not go hungry.
*Reduce the National Debt – Our national debt continues to rise as this PNM administration borrows without any idea or concern about the repaying of these loans. We must see plans to reduce this rising problem.
These are just some areas I expect the budget to address today. Any Government that truly care for its people will make decisions to directly benefit and empower the people.
We the Opposition will do all that we can to hold the Government to account and to ensure the people are truly represented.
While we wait in anticipation of the budget, let us remember that through unity, any hurdle can be crossed.