Here now is the robust Senate Debate on the Briceno Administration's new budget, which is officially known as the General Revenue Appropriation Bill of 2022:
Eamon Courtenay - Leader of Government Business
"It is important to look at what is happening in this budget. Look at the emphasis on the social sector. Education received an increase of 30 million in its budget, taking it to 258 million. Agriculture [got] a 33% increase in its budget; the Ministry of Sustainable Development Climate Change & Emergency Management, 33% increase; the Ministry of Human Development, Families & Indigenous Peoples Affairs, 33% increase; the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, an increase in its budget of 40 million dollars; and the Ministry of Rural Transformation, an increase of 50% in its budget. The commitment of the Prime Minister and this government to the people, the commitment to the development of the rural areas of our country, the commitment to health, education, and the social sector of this country, Madam President, is proof positive in the budget."
Darrell Bradley - UDP Senator
"This is something that as a Belizean I appreciate, that the Honorable Prime Minister and the Leader of Government Business highlighted the all-important reduction in the debt to GDP ratio. A reduction from 133%, which is widely unsustainable, to 108%, which is a reduction of 25%. By any measure, that would be substantial. I also note in relation to the budget and the budget presentation, [the] government's commitment for further reduction. I saw that there was a commitment to reduce the debt to GDP ratio to 85% by the 2025/2026 fiscal year, and 75% by 2030/2031. These are very noble projections."
Kevin Herrera - Business Senator
"You'll note that between the year 2019/2020, and 2022/2023, the staff of the public sector would have grown by 2,249 employees. If you look at that same period, Madam President, in what I call the base year and this current year, the revenues would have grown by 100 million dollars. That is - the staff rate is growing at 17% over that period of time. Yet, the revenues grew only by 8.5%. The reason I'm bringing that up, Madam President, is because there's been a significant concern, both by the unions as well as the private sector that there's an ever-balloon public sector."
Collet Montejo - PUP Senator
"Poverty [is] being addressed here big-time: human development, education - you name it. Housing: 67 houses were built on a meager budget last year, I can imagine what the Ministry of Housing will do with 5 million dollars this fiscal year. 5 million, plus what Taiwan is providing. So, look forward to a housing boom in this country."
Orson "OJ" Elrington - UDP Senator
"There is nothing in this budget to address the lack of access to affordable housing and land. Belize continues to be affected by the tremendous demand for affordable housing. Now, if you want to say that your attempt to build 2-bedroom homes for Belizeans is something that we should celebrate and bow down to you for, well sorry, that will not happen here. See, I practice in the family court. I'm not too sure - and when you go to the family court, one of the first things that the magistrate looks at in trying to decide whether or not the living conditions [is appropriate] is whether or not you have adequate accommodations for a family. So, if you're looking at a family of 5, they should have a bedroom for the parents, and for children of each sex individually."
Darrell Bradley
"I will recognize the government when we support something. For example the increase in NHI, that's a good project. The rolling out of NHI is something that is good. But, it is no stain on the Opposition to say that we look at the budget, and we want the budget to reflect different priorities, and to be more intense in certain areas of poverty reduction, addressing unemployment. And that should not invite, 'Oh, but you all didn't do that.' I am a Belizean citizen. I live in this country, and I am a member of the Senate. And I speak for people in this country, who are going through a lot. And it defaces the stature of this body that only repose would be that 'Oh, you all didn't do that.'"
