PHILIPSBURG:--- During the 2025 budget debate in the Parliament of St. Maarten, Member of Parliament Darryl York delivered a comprehensive critique of the government’s financial planning, administrative priorities, and execution of key public projects. His remarks painted a picture of a government struggling with coherence across ministries and a lack of transparency in its fiscal and operational strategies.
MP York’s address, a mix of critique and constructive challenge, centered on Parliament’s responsibility to question and refine government proposals, urging accountability and a focus on the realities faced by the people of St. Maarten.
Key Critiques and Issues Raised by MP York
Tax Reform and Compliance
MP York revisited concerns he had raised in earlier budget discussions, particularly around tax reform. He noted that during 2024 debates, the Minister of Finance had identified compliance issues—not the need for new taxes—as the primary challenge with revenue collection. Despite this, the government proposed a new tax policy without addressing the systemic weaknesses underlying compliance failures.
York questioned how a new tax could be effectively implemented without foundational knowledge, such as the tax-to-GDP ratio or clear projections. He expressed concern that moving forward without resolving these issues could result in ineffective reforms and unnecessary burdens on taxpayers.
GEBE Energy Relief Concerns
Energy relief and the operations of the utility company GEBE were another focus of his critique. MP York questioned the methods used to determine a reported $0.67 reduction per kilowatt hour for consumers. He also highlighted the missing details within the published report on GEBE’s operational improvements, pointing to a lack of transparency in public energy policy. With modernized infrastructure like underground cables reducing costs, he argued that further savings should be passed directly to the people.
Turnover Tax and Outdated Revenue Systems
MP York also addressed the financial strain caused by double taxation through St. Maarten’s Turnover Tax (TOT). He suggested revisiting policies exempting local operators in maritime zones to ease the financial burden on businesses. Additionally, he pointed out the outdated throughput fee, originally linked to financing port infrastructure but now operating without its initial purpose, as another area requiring reform. York advocated an overhaul of obsolete revenue collection methods to adapt to current economic realities.
Government Revenue Collection Failures
Highlighting the government’s focus on a proposed dividend tax, MP York criticized the lack of progress in collecting long-standing arrears from licenses and fees, particularly from sectors such as casinos, lotteries, and the airport. He estimated these uncollected revenues to exceed 40 million guiders, portraying the inaction as a misstep in fiscal responsibility.
Infrastructure Development and Zoning Delays
Infrastructure projects, particularly the Philipsburg marketplace, attracted sharp scrutiny. York alleged that the project’s approved design had been altered without public disclosure or a new tender process. Using his engineering expertise, he detailed discrepancies between the original plan and current progress, questioning the legality and rationale behind bypassing procedural safeguards.
He further criticized delays in updating zoning regulations and building codes, casting doubt on the government’s commitment to delivering promised land-use reforms. He suggested a disconnect between public commitments to address zoning challenges and the administrative follow-through required to implement effective policies.
Justice Ministry Data Gaps
York underscored the justice ministry’s lack of basic metrics, such as the daily cost per inmate or operational expenses for the newly planned prison. He linked these data gaps to ineffective budgeting for rehabilitation programs and justice initiatives, suggesting that government commitments to improving the justice system were hampered by insufficient planning.
He also lamented the prolonged delays in finalizing financial agreements and restructuring for justice workers, noting that after months of reviews, actionable plans were still unavailable.
Soul Beach Festival Subsidy Controversy
One of the more contentious topics in his address was the subsidy provided for the Soul Beach Festival. York criticized what he described as opaque funding mechanisms, alleging that forward-dated concession fees from public entities had been used to support the event. He questioned the government’s priorities, arguing that while social services remain underfunded and justice institutions face resource limitations, substantial funds were allocated to a festival. York challenged whether such spending aligned with the broader needs of St. Maarten's people.
A Call for Transparency and Ministerial Coherence
MP York’s overarching message was a call for greater transparency and alignment between government ministries. He warned against the dangers of internal discord, particularly regarding sensitive issues such as energy relief, land-use policies, and justice system improvements. York called for all ministers to look beyond their individual portfolios, emphasizing a collective responsibility to adopt a more unified and strategic approach to national governance.
His speech reflected a deep concern for fiscal stewardship and accountability, urging the government to place the needs of the people—especially the most vulnerable—at the center of its policies.
Looking Ahead
MP Darryl York’s address during the 2025 budget debate underscored the critical need for transparency, coherence, and responsible fiscal management in St. Maarten’s governance. Whether his critiques and recommendations will lead to substantive changes in the government’s approach remains to be seen. However, his detailed scrutiny and principled questions have added significant weight to the ongoing budget discussions, demanding greater accountability and strategic foresight from the nation’s leadership.
The outcome of these debates will shape St. Maarten’s economic, social, and infrastructural development for years to come, making voices like MP York’s indispensable in guiding the country toward a more resilient and equitable future.