The second day of the budget debate kicked off today and it was a lot more explosive than yesterday. It was the UDP Mesopotamia area rep's turn to give his presentation and he came out swinging at the Ministry of Housing. But with Julius Espat sitting on the government's side, he wasn't going to let that slide. Espat and Chang got into several back-and-forth exchanges that energized even those in the galleries, and had Madam Speaker constantly reminding them of the standing orders. Here's a snippet of that feisty part of the debate.
Lee Mark Chang, Area Rep., Mesop
"But you can spend hundreds and millions on highways. Soon we will build enough highways to reach the moon because it looks like you want to change everything in this place. To god you will reach the moon. Talk about chow mein, soon we might not even have vegetable because you need to do something about that border."
"It's because you don't want to spend on farm roads because farms roads don't make money, that's why you don't want to spend on farm roads. Farm roads don't make a lot of money. Yes but it doesn't have the tar and the expertise."
Speaker of the House
"Members, members, no no no. visitors in the gallery, please."
Lee Mark Chang, Area Rep., Mesop
"I was looking at those guys on that side how this one is giving that one and that one is giving this one but you ask this side of the House. Have you received any starter homes Member for Albert? Have you received any, member? I will ask you Minister, we from Mesopotamia have not received anything but we want you to start treating us equally just like how you treat the other divisions. Every member on that side get starter homes, this side got nothing, nada. I haven't gotten to you yet, we'll come back, don't worry."
"Today I am asking and I know the wider Belizean public is also curious and wants to know, who is getting these starter homes? I know for sure that my constituency is not on that list. Remember that it is taxpayers monies being spent and not your own money. All information must be public information. All information. Don't hide it, bring it to the front and let's see it and scrutinize it. I already took my pills this morning. No no, don't start that foolishness. I have never mentioned anything about any simple pills or anybody over that side simple, so don't even start that."
"This year 8 million is budgeted for 100 houses. I'm not done yet, you have your chance, I think you need to put restraint on this member."
Speaker of the House
"There's no need for that just respect the standing order."
Lee Mark Chang, Area Rep., Mesop
"Now 8 million dollars is budgeted for 100 homes so that roughly will come up to $80,000 is they can keep it within budget."
Speaker of the House
"Is there a point of order?"
Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Development and Housing
"Nowhere in the budget did it say 100 houses."
Lee Mark Chang, Area Rep., Mesop
"If I'm lying then the budget book is lying. He will have his chance."
Speaker of the House
"Is there a point of order?"
Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Development and Housing "Yes Madam Speaker the member cannot continuously be lying there is nothing the budget that say we're building 100 houses."
Speaker of the House
"That's not a point of order. There is no such point of order. Member for Mesopotamia let's try this agin."
Lee Mark Chang, Area Rep., Mesop
"Thank you Madam Speaker. I'm so happy that you're so fair and that's why I love."
Speaker of the House
"No need for that, absolutely no need, I'm just following orders."
Lee Mark Chang, Area Rep., Mesop
"Freedom of speech and freedom of expression cannot be suppressed."
