All now them can't comment on Holness presenatation

[Assasin]

and suggestions. If he had acted like leggo beast or fight with other labourites it would be all over the forum. Let me wonder if we serious about policies or we just like the divisions and "mi told you so"

Gov't should consider opposition suggestions, says analyst







Published: Friday April 26, 2013 | 8:48 am with audio |
Political Analyst, Richard ‘Dickie’ Crawford, says he’s hoping the government will seriously consider some of the recommendations put forth by the opposition during the Budget Debates.

Crawford’s comments follow Opposition Leader Andrew Holness’ contribution to the debate in parliament yesterday.

Crawford said it was refreshing to see the opposition presenting proposals for solving some of Jamaica’s problems instead of just levelling criticisms as Jamaicans have come to expect.

He says the tone of the presentation was welcome as it could signal a move away from the traditionally divisive politics.

Crawford says he hopes the government will be mature enough to take on the suggestions.

Crawford says he’s disappointed that the opposition leader made no prescription for decreasing the level of crime and corruption in the country.

The political analyst says this was a glaring weakness in his presentation.
Holness made 10 recommendations to the government.

Included among the proposals were suggestions for divestment of several government entities, tax and public sector reform, and development of a strategic investment policy.

[Don1]

Gwaan Holness!!!!!!!!!

[Sir X]

We've Been Butchered': Holness Tells Gov't To Backtrack On Taxes, Pitches 10-Point Formula
Published: Friday | April 26, 2013 Comments 0

Andrew Holness
Gary Spaulding, Senior Gleaner Writer

Opposition Leader Andrew Holness yesterday summoned the Portia Simpson Miller administration to halt plans to impose the revised property tax, even as he launched a broadside against the Government for subjecting Jamaicans to what he characterised as unprecedented hardship.

"The Government has butchered us with taxes," he said.

"I say this in all sincerity, with the greatest respect, it will have a negative effect … ," warned Holness during his contribution to the Budget Debate in the House of Representatives yesterday.

Holness also called on the Government to roll back the Transfer Tax and Stamp Duty, which were announced by Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips in February.

The opposition leader appealed to the Government not to permit a rate increase for which the National Water Commission (NWC) has applied. "We are not of the view that a rate increase is necessary at this time," he stressed.

He, however, endorsed Govern-ment's decision to increase the education tax and introduce tablet computers in selected schools.

LOOK AT DIVESTMENT

Holness proposed that the Government divests itself of entities such as children's homes, the Nutrition Products Ltd, the Cocoa Industry Board, and all maintenance services and transport departments, which he said would save the country more than J$4 billion yearly in operating costs and management salaries.

These were among 10 recom-mendations in a package deal to recharge the Government that he accused of retreating into helpless surrender.

Holness urged the admin-istration to merge all corporate and support services as much as possible, as well as establish one central payroll platform.

The Government should also bring to Parliament plans or laws governing a strategic investment policy. "That is something that Parliament should debate and decide and, ultimately, decided by Cabinet," said Holness.

Another suggestion was for the Government to start the process of urban renewal and logistic planning in order to develop properly planned towns.

USE IDLE LANDS

In this vein, Holness called on the Simpson Miller administration to utilise available idle lands to set up dynamic venture capital parks.

He also called for the establishment of at least one other city, in addition to Kingston and Montego Bay. "Because of the congestion in the Corporate Area, it makes sense to develop a new city," Holness argued.

The opposition leader accused the Government of sending mixed signals in relation to the treatment of Clarendon Alumina Partners (CAP).

According to Holness, Phillips told Parliament, when he opened the Budget Debate a week ago, that the Government was pursuing plans to either lease or sell its shares in CAP.

However, Holness pointed to contradictory statement by Minster of Science, Technology and Energy and Mining Phillip Paulwell on Wednesday, that the Government had decided not to sell its CAP shares at this time.

[Rockman]

According to Holness, Phillips told Parliament, when he opened the Budget Debate a week ago, that the Government was pursuing plans to either lease or sell its shares in CAP.

However, Holness pointed to contradictory statement by Minster of Science, Technology and Energy and Mining Phillip Paulwell on Wednesday, that the Government had decided not to sell its CAP shares at this time.

Now if that was Portia....
Look, what is about to happen to Jamaica we have no control of, the hidden Govt is now official at the helm.
We lost that control immediately after the agreement was agreed to.
We didn't even bother to have a discussion whether such an agreement should be signed,we were busy creating points(in hindsight out of thin air) for a favored party totally consumed about the looong time it is taking(at that time)for pen to meet paper.