When the budget is debated, in terms of political temperature, it is usually the hottest day of the year on the political calendar – but when the 2009 debate starts in mid-March, the rhetoric may be heated, but at least the temperature inside the building will be cool. That’s because five industrial air conditioners have been installed at the House of Representatives – part of a forty thousand dollar upgrade package for the tattered building sponsored by the Government of Taiwan. The money is also being used to replace a number of loose tiles and a leaky roof.
But today the clerk of the National Assembly, Herbert Panton told us the air conditioning most likely won’t be ready in time for the presentation of the budged which is scheduled for February 27th. That’s only a few days before the municipal election and we asked Prime Minister Barrow is the event was timed to boost his party’s showing at the polls.
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
“It is the last Friday in February.”
Jules Vasquez,
Is it intentionally being done before the municipal election?
Hon. Dean Barrow,
“No, no. This is not.”
Jules Vasquez,
It might affect the outcome adversely for you.
Hon. Dean Barrow,
“Well I hope not but right after the municipal elections we have the CARICOM summit. There is the Baron Bliss holiday and later in that week there is the CARICOM summit. So if we had tried to do it in March, it would have had to come in the last part of March and that simply would not have given us enough time to be able to debate and pass it before the end of the financial year. So we had to go a little early and then the debate will take place the week following the conclusion of the CARICOM summit. I think that is the week of the 16th or so of March and then it goes to the Senate maybe 7 or 8 days thereafter and everything should be done for first April.”
Cabinet will review the draft budget on Friday – which is basically the last chance for Representatives and Ministers to lobby for their Ministries and constituencies.
