MP questions food prices, GEBE bills, housing, justice-worker payments, school supplies and the government’s progress on its own program
PHILIPSBURG:--- MP Egbert Jurendy Doran used Monday’s Central Committee debate on the draft 2027 budget to press ministers for dates, costs and measurable results. His central question was what residents will actually experience from the spending Parliament is being asked to approve.
“A budget cannot only look good on paper,” Doran told Parliament. He acknowledged that the 2026 budget debate had ended only about a month earlier and said he did not expect every commitment made then to be completed. He did, however, expect ministers to report what had started, what remained delayed and what had happened to motions passed by Parliament.
Prices at the supermarket
Doran asked the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication what it has done to implement his parliamentary motion on the price-controlled basket of goods. The motion called for revising the basket by product category rather than specific brand, with attention to maximum retail prices, margins, monitoring, and enforcement.
He asked whether the online maximum-price database described in the budget had been launched as planned in the second quarter of 2026. If residents cannot use it, he wants to know why. He also requested the status of the hurricane price list and figures showing how many price inspections took place during this hurricane season, how many violations were found, and what action was taken against repeat offenders.
Doran returned to the delays affecting Philipsburg market vendors. Government has referred to waived license fees as relief, but he asked whether it has calculated vendors’ financial losses and established whether the assistance matches what they have endured.
He also questioned whether a small shop selling a limited amount of alcohol should pay the same liquor license fee as a large distributor. He raised a similar concern about GEBE’s commercial rates, asking whether small businesses could be charged on a scale that better reflects their size.
GEBE bills and disputed meters
Doran requested an update on the independent review by the Bureau Telecommunications and Post Sint Maarten of GEBE’s billing and fuel-cost calculations. He asked whether the regulator has received the information it needs to verify a fuel-cost calculation he cited, and whether it will provide its findings to Parliament or make them public.
If a review or court decision finds consumers were overcharged, Doran wants the government to consider refunds, credits, or reductions in future charges. He asked ministers to commit to ensuring that any value found to be owed goes back to the affected consumers.
He separated the fuel-cost question from concerns about meter accuracy. Doran asked how many electricity and water meters have been tested, how many were found defective or inaccurate, what effect any errors had on customers’ bills and whether consumers could obtain independent third-party testing of a disputed meter.
Doran also objected to withholding information from Parliament under broad claims of confidentiality. Sensitive information can be handled responsibly, he argued, but MPs need access to records to oversee government-owned companies.
Roads, district cleaning and wastewater
Doran welcomed the continuation of the side-road paving program he began as VROMI minister. He asked which roads the four-million-guilder allocation in the draft budget would cover, how they would be selected, and when the road list, tender, and construction timetable would be published.
He sought an account of district-cleaning work since the previous contract expired on March 31, 2026. His questions covered the cost of interim arrangements, the contractors selected, how they received the work and when new contracts will be awarded. He asked what the government will do to prevent another gap between contracts.
Doran also asked who currently manages the wastewater treatment plant, whether a previous management arrangement ended, whether any shortcomings were documented, and whether a new operator was chosen through a tender.
Building permits and the housing promise
According to Doran, the VROMI minister reported 662 pending building-permit applications during the 2026 budget debate. He asked how many have since been processed and how many remain. He also requested a breakdown of the proposed spending on digitizing the permit process, including when applicants will be able to submit and track applications online.
Doran pressed government to turn its stated goal of 1,200 homes over ten years into a plan showing where homes will be built, what land will be used, how construction will be financed, and what will be achieved each year.
He specifically asked about government land at Vineyard Heights and a second area he identified as Foga. He wants to know whether those sites will be developed for residents to own homes. He also requested an inventory of government-owned land that is not leased or otherwise committed to third parties.
For residents building or renovating homes, Doran proposed considering a voluntary register of contractors whose qualifications or technical standards have been verified. Residents would remain free to hire whomever they choose, he said, but would have more information before making a major investment.
He also sought a parking plan for 2027, including whether government is considering new public parking facilities or paid parking, and asked how residents and workers would be affected. He requested an update on government’s involvement in GEBE’s renewable-energy plans.
Tourist tax and tax reform
Doran questioned why the draft 2027 budget contains no tourist-tax revenue, although the measure had previously been expected to generate about 18 million guilders. He asked Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs whether she supports implementing the tax, what work has been completed and what is delaying it.
He also requested an update on possible taxation of foreign-owned property. On broader tax reform, Doran asked what an ordinary taxpayer or small-business owner will find easier or fairer by the end of 2027. Before placing new demands on people already paying taxes, he argued, government should show what it is doing to collect money already owed.
Justice workers and crime prevention
Doran asked Justice Minister Nathalie Tackling whether the ministry has analyzed crime over the past two years by offense, location and time, and whether it is using those findings to deploy police resources. He also asked whether the ministry has the personnel and technology needed to use that information effectively.
He revisited whether immigration authorities check with police and prosecutors before removing someone connected to an active investigation or criminal proceeding. Doran asked what operational changes have followed the issue being raised during the 2026 budget debate.
For justice workers awaiting placement decisions or retroactive payments, he requested the current number still waiting, the amount outstanding, and firm dates for the payment phases described in the budget. He asked whether additional tourist-tax revenue could help meet the ministry’s obligations. Doran also asked the minister for her current position on military-style training for young people with limited opportunities.
Schools, skills and sport
Doran asked Education Minister Melissa Gumbs which technical and vocational programs will receive more support in 2027 and what students will see improve. He requested a breakdown of subsidy changes and an explanation of how the proposed Education Labor Council will connect training, employers and internships.
He welcomed plans to rebuild the library but asked what it will offer beyond physical books, including digital materials, online research and access from home.
For public schools, Doran sought practical details behind the budget’s references to physical, digital and material learning environments. He asked which schools lack adequate classrooms, equipment, internet access or teaching supplies, and how the 2027 budget will address those shortages.
Doran also asked what support young athletes can expect before they qualify for international competition and which sports programs or facilities will improve next year.
Healthcare and support for seniors
Doran requested the status of general health insurance legislation, the projected savings and revenue from healthcare reform, and an explanation of what patients would notice in 2027. He asked what safeguards would prevent reforms from placing a heavier financial burden on workers, seniors and lower-income households.
He sought an overview of existing assistance for seniors, a plan for an aging population and updated figures on people receiving financial and medical assistance. He asked whether the budgeted amounts will meet the demand the government is seeing.
Prime Minister asked for an account of delivery
Doran closed by asking Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina how he tracks each ministry’s progress on the governing program. He requested a ministry-by-ministry account of completed, delayed, and ongoing commitments, along with updates on critical vacancies and projects requiring several ministries to work together.
He also asked the government to identify which minister serves as shareholder representative for each government-owned company or entity.