PM defends budget

The Prime Minister addressed the meeting on Thursday night. Photo: Gov't Press Attache
The Prime Minister addressed the meeting on Thursday night. Photo: Gov’t Press Attache

The Country’s leader has sought to defend measures outlined in the recently presented National Budget, saying critics are just trying to score “cheap political points.”

During the budget presentation the Prime Minister announced a road maintenance tax and new taxes on certain imported meat items to come into effect on September 1. The measures were criticized by some on social media and on the air.

But at a town hall meeting held in Mahaut last night, Skerrit took aim at critics.

“How can persons, for the sake of cheap political points, criticize a $100 a year contribution for to the provision and upkeep of our roads?” he questioned. “How can persons criticize levying a tax on imported pork and lamb when we here in Dominica are striving to build and develop our own livestock industry? Can you imagine some in our country criticizing a decision to go after persons driving on our roads illegally? Now if you do not license or insure your vehicle or it run off the road and injures and even kills somebody, what are they going to say?”

He noted that he has made it clear that the tax collected from certain imported meats will go exclusively to the development of the livestock industry in Dominica.

“How can anyone who truly loves Dominica have a problem with that?” the Prime Minister queried. “These are the types of issues that separate serious nation builders from the opportunists in our midst. How can you not support our further taxing on alcohol and cigarettes when the evidence is clear that these two evils are responsible for sickness and early deaths of many?”

During the budget presentation the Prime Minister also said a 10 percent tax increase will be placed on cigars, cigarettes, alcohol beverages, as well as food and drinks with a high sugar content.

He justified this new tax measure by citing the “bad practices” of smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol and foods with high sugar content, as major contributors to ill health.

The meeting was one of a series of town hall-style meeting organized by the government entitled “Keeping It Real” to discuss the 2015 budget with the citizens of Dominica.

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50 Comments

  1. 4-cars
    August 13, 2015

    The guy in the red shirt looks like a local salesman, to me.

  2. SMH
    August 12, 2015

    DNO headline on 12 July 2013: “No New TAXES – PM Skerrit”.
    He said instead of increasing taxes he would seek grants and concessionary loans.

    But hey, the dictator changed his mind, so supporters be quiet. u placed him there, expect the impromptu changes in both his words and actions…

    idiots.

  3. August 10, 2015

    So JACK??????? you kept your promise so what? I sell passport or more TAX. Tell me what is there to defend i”ve said before and i”ll say it again “what do you expect from an empty bag of COALS but DUST; that”s the budget you presented nothing more nothing less.

  4. Massacre
    August 10, 2015

    Why does the P.M have to have a Red shirt on him during official gov’t functions? This is so crass! Come on man you are now the P.M for all Dominicans and not just the labourites. Bad taste!

  5. Sense Cents
    August 10, 2015

    I understand the reason for the road tax, I will criticize and condemn it after a year or so if I don’t see anything being done with what was collected. I agree to the tax on sugary things, although it may not change people’s diets, however it is a good initiative.

  6. August 10, 2015

    In most or all the American states there is tax on alcohol and cigarettes but does that stop people from smoking or drinking?no.i work in a store and one must see those long lines in the liquor store .cigerette and alcohol brings in the most money in all the states in the U.S.drunks are everywhere so mr dimples try saying something else.u know u can collect big on these two items so stop the crap u are saying and be real.things are bad and u are grappling for cash to run the country.looks like ur friends let u down so u are like a drowning man catching at a straw.

  7. B VIDAL
    August 9, 2015

    WELL that what we for .let us take what we get ,

  8. Dee
    August 9, 2015

    Once again here is Mr PM questioning the intelligence of the Dominican society…. literally speaking. Is that some new trick he learnt? “Ask a bunch of questions and beat around the bush…. They’ll soon be swept away in the lies and deceit”…. Questioning people’s patriotism when his own son was born in the US. Well I’m happy about one thing. Let’s see what sober alcoholics really think at the next general elections.

  9. Crook profiler
    August 9, 2015

    DA needs a few Honest men & women. Boy are they hard to locate what’s our population 60K and we cnnot find 5 good people to run in an election? Just low class crooks coming forward? what a country!
    Chinese soon entering parliament one China policy is already in effect the un declared MOU tell us Medard. What’s the date of the Chinese take over? Is it a guarded secret like the election of 09? LMAO.
    The 30 million US$ in Dec2014 told us all we needed to know. DA is an example of clear & Present danger.

  10. jonathan st jean
    August 9, 2015

    Mr Skerritt, in your meet the people to explain the budget, you need to be humble and respect the points of view of all sides. People who disagree with you have their reasons for doing so,therefore instead of hurling insults at the points of view of those who disagree with your budget,you need to learn how to explain your priorities, how you arrived at those,why those and not others.That is what is expected of sound leadership. For crying out loud you used to be a teacher,so why do you find it hard to act like you are educated.Granted,you will never get total support for your priorities, but you will get more buy-in if you demonstrate more tolerance and maturity as a seasoned politician. Sounds like you are desperate and frustrated that there is opposition to your views and wishes.I’m sure that’s how dictators behave,so no wonder your fellow ministers can’t give any input to logically explaining the budget items because they have no say.

  11. Dominican
    August 8, 2015

    Ppl, why are. You all surprise with what is happening regarding the behaviour of the leading party? Politics is all about lies and convincing the masses. We continue to be upset but what we see and hear from them fellers.
    My advice is for Dominican to relax and not be too stressful because we are only affecting our own health in the name of politics. Just remember, this government like every other will one day be out of office :-P :-P :-|

  12. koolaid
    August 8, 2015

    Skerite talking bout he put tax because people not paying lisence but what people paying there lisece hasxto do wit skerite? That not the police job to enforce the law? Skerite is putting tax to discorage peesons from driving without lisence? Does that even make sense? If u pit more on the lisense is not now i not going to pay that nuh? Lol. Instead skerite call on the lazy traffic police to do their work he is now putting up tax on lisence lol .

  13. Driver
    August 8, 2015

    I think that the real questions we should be asking is whether these new taxes will be used to achieve their objectives. Like the taxes that were supposed to “clean up “on older vehicles. Like
    the additional MV taxes, will they be added to what was originally supposed to be spent on the roads? We can pay those taxes because they save us in the long run. Just cut out two beers a week and that should more than cover them.

  14. Rol
    August 8, 2015

    The PM keep saying world economic crisis but raises taxes, in the US they cut rates and pump money into the economy so it could be stabilized. Maybe the economy doing good then so he could raise taxes and there is no world economic crisis he keeps talking about.

  15. Anonymous
    August 7, 2015

    The comparison made of the paying of tolls at traffic points in the USA is invalid. In Dominica we pay in excess of 100% CIF as duty on a new vehicle. We essentially pay more than twice for a vehicle which is grossly unreasonable. The same dose not apply in the USA.

  16. Peter Potter
    August 7, 2015

    Skerrit, nobody critises for the sake of it. You in the pre election speeches promised no tax increases. So, that is what we are holding you to now. Give us what you promised. May be in the future you will think twice before you make promises that you know you very well can not keep! By the way, when are you going to decrease gasoline and diesel prices? The market price has gone down by over 12% since you increased them some 6 weeks ago without any justification at all! Stop fooling us!

  17. memoi
    August 7, 2015

    Mr.PM sir, nobody is against paying a little extra for some things but when you use the state funds, namely passport money to finance your friends lavish lifestyle and then you ask us to pay extra to take care of things in Dominica, that is where we have the problem. You and your friends are living large while we are struggling to make ends meet. 100 or maybe a 1000 dollars is nothing to you but some of us don’t even have 10 dollars after we pay our bills/debts. You do not understand the local man since your lifestyle is closer to the worlds top 1%. You’ve made us poor and you keep on fooling the poorest and illiterate among us your handouts. One day, we hope and pray relief will come our way. You always say God is good all the time and we believe you sir. God is good all the time that is why we wait when the time when he will deliver us.

  18. August 7, 2015

    Dominicans, how much more are you willing to take from this “donothing” government before you revolt? Can’t you see that Mr. Skerrit is vision bankrupt. The man is not visionary. He never was and never will be. He is power hungry and he lacks creativity to improve the economy. Please allow someone else to get us out of this economic morass that he has put us in.

  19. eyes opened
    August 7, 2015

    LMAO…now he says if you disagree with the new taxes you are not patriotic. I thought passport sales were supposed to prevent new taxes? Why are so many people receiving duty free on vehicles when taxes are so sorely needed? Shouldn’t these folks be patriotic too?

  20. @Titiwi <<>>

    @PetProjects <<>>

    @Truth B Told<<>>

    To the 3 of you, I know that there is a difference between “tax raising” and “tax introduction”. (new tax)

    It is clear to me that the taxes the PM is talking about are new taxes. Therefore, can each of you inform me of the old tax which was raised? Or else you guys need to stop speaking things you don’t understand .

    • Titiwi
      August 10, 2015

      Semantics Lizalina, that’s what you are engaging in and even then you get it wrong. The P.M., Mr. Roosevelt Medard Skerrit definitely said no NEW taxes. It is recorded in black and white, for eternity.

  21. dave
    August 7, 2015

    what about the hospital?.what r u saying about it?.

  22. Slippery Slope
    August 7, 2015

    The poor people of Dominica are the ones who are suffering and will continue to experience extreme poverty as a result of these punitive tax measures. Meanwhile the fat cats and party hacks continue to get obese living – off Government’s largesse.

  23. Doc. Love
    August 7, 2015

    The 2015 to 2016 budget is for Skeritt alone to talk about in the Parliament. Regie, Blackmoor, Darroux, and the rest, better seat in their chairs at the parliament and keep[ their mouths shut. If they want to talk about the budget, they are only allowed to talk in a cramp up school where only their supporters can hear them.

  24. real possie
    August 7, 2015

    If you want to drink your rum, and smoke your cigarette that’s your own life the only thing is when you fall ill is the government that have to foot the bill, if they don’t do it then it’s a big cry the government not taking care of its citizens. You want to live that kind of life then pay it forward. Taxes were not raised on the whole country as you people make it to seem, one hundred dollars a year you find that is taxes? if that was every paycheck I would say that is a tax but on a yearly basis you all have life to good, that’s a Dominican for you never want to pay for the things they cry for, how fast the forget they said they blocked their road and that is their right, but now they have to pay to upkeep their roads now they don’t want the roads anymore, SMH.

    • Analy Thomas
      August 10, 2015

      Go and learn to spell….. and if the economy is so good why do you “hitch hike” ride everyday to go to work? Why don’t you take a bus to support the economy so that the bus drivers can pay the $100.00?

  25. alas
    August 7, 2015

    Rev Watty must have given you something to think about Skerrit…….and he’s no Catholic bishop!!!!
    these town hall meetings should have been a pre-budget exercise.
    again you late……..you was to concerned about hitting de opposition in Parliament.
    You lost your focus on ‘US…..WE THE PEOPLE!!
    How do you defend yourself?

  26. August 7, 2015

    Let the truth be told Mr. Skerrit. Didn’t you promise during the 2014 general election campaign that you would not raise taxes? Now for the love of country you are raising the taxes accross the board on the poor people. That’s tough love, right DAD?
    For those of your children who do not agree with your lies and double talk, you believe that we are not patriotic and we are only trying to “gain cheap political points.” Well for your information, we are not all politicians and some of your children will definitely become poorer due to these taxes that you refere to as a contribution. We do know that every commodity on the island will become more expensive and all your children will feel it. Don’t you care?

    • The Real Facts - ON
      August 7, 2015

      You should know there are different types of taxes. This one is to preserve the good health of nationals.
      Highway tax will be used for maintenance of roads. Sounds feasible.
      It appears to me that these taxes are justified. They will be channeled appropriately and put to good use. You should appreciate that.

  27. Shaka zulu
    August 7, 2015

    Well people will start squeezing water out of Stone. VAT is still on. This is simply a government that is desperate and wasted 15 years in office. There was no vision or wisdom to put Dominica on a sustainable trajectory. Again, when majority of the population is either ignorant, ill informed thats what happens.

  28. vegnag
    August 7, 2015

    Remember the PM at a recent press conference told the media and Dominicans that as Prime Minister he will decide who speaks even when a question was directed to the Minister of National SECURITY.; then why are we so surprised that (12) twelve of his Ministers didn’t speak. The PM did not give them permission to speak in parliament so they dare not stand to speak. Similarly the PM decided that they will now have to speak at the constituency level whether they like it or not so they must speak. He told Salisbury people the same thing that he will come to meeting whether they want it or not or like it or not. Son the man is boss and when he speaks or decides on something no one should bark period. On the question of road taxes if the PM cuts back on duty free for all his friends and cut back on the size of his useless cabinet there will be no need for any new taxes.

  29. Anthony P. Ismael
    August 7, 2015

    Mr. Prime Minister we can criticize the budget because we know for a fact that, taxes deter investment and raise the cost of living in an era when salaries are flat and wages do not keep up with inflation. Furthermore, the town hall meetings should have been held while the budget was being crafted and not after it was presented to Parliament. Instead of slamming your critics, why not encourage them to present ideas of their own and be open minded to suggestions from the entire nation, before making your final decision. Pragmatic leaders operate in such a manner. Partisan ones, well you know your own stripes best.

  30. Thorbjørn Jagland
    August 7, 2015

    Your son born in America and u talking about Patriotism, Dominicans sot man :lol: :lol:

    • Anonymous
      August 8, 2015

      Do as |I say, don’t do as I do my serfs.

  31. %
    August 7, 2015

    Mr Skerrit did you tell them why 12 of you intellectually empty ministers could not give a reportcard of their ministeries? Did you tell them where on island can they see the investments, under the Citizenship by Investment Programme? Did you tell them your most damning legacy will be that you made them beggars largely because of their ignorance and poverty?Tell them the truth Sir.Tell them that noone is condoning the driving of unlicenced vehicleis on our roads, but many people are concerned with this road tax because you have reduced a significant percentage of the population into beggars!!According to HONOURABLE Lennox Linton, you cannot build a country upon a platform of LIES Skerrit!!

    • Kid On The Block
      August 7, 2015

      ( % ) Y our Pathetic ignorant fool.

      • %
        August 10, 2015

        @KID ON THE BLOCK
        I have told you time and time again that you should ask Skerrit to buy you a book and pencil, so that you attend night school. You can’t understand what I have written!

  32. Analy Thomas
    August 7, 2015

    After all, someone can only score points if the opponent is weakening or loosing the game! I agree that our roads must be maintained and that we should foster self sustainability, protect our population and implement control; however, to do this we must address the underlying problems in order for smooth transition. If the public sector keeps growing while the private sector is sinking, jobs are lost and none is being created such that individuals cannot afford to pay the original license then we have a problem, because it was indicated that there are unlicensed vehicles running today. The upsurge in the consumption volume of alcohol seems to be another domino effect to alternative counseling. Will the government be providing free counseling and rehabilitation to the alcoholics and tobacco addicted? Yet we treat the issue by raising taxes….. which can be done but with proper measures in place. IE, if I am addicted to alcohol and I cannot buy anymore and I have serious constraints….

    • Analy Thomas
      August 7, 2015

      what would be my next move? Economics has disclosed that whenever there is a recession or surplus, proper fiscal/monetary measures must be in place to either stimulate the economy in the case of a recession or regulate/stabilize the economy by taxation when there is a surplus. How then can we implement further taxes when we are in a recession. We cannot escape the fact that our real GDP and actual GDP are huge negatives……… therefore we are in a recession! How many Dominicans understand what is happening? When young aspiring business men and women invest their life savings and continue to struggle with taxes.
      We have lost businesses in Roseau because they could not compete with the Dragon….. Where descendants of china purchase containers of goods at low cost and bring them in an alleged little or no taxes, driving the locals out of business…… please tell me why I should come back to risk my investment on the Island.

  33. Mixing party like paint
    August 7, 2015

    Green gang of a few dressed in red.he does not know the meaning of camouflage? lol hahahahahaahah

  34. Tjebe fort
    August 7, 2015

    Of course P.M. defends his budget, that is not news. That meeting in Mahaut looking like a party political election campaign though. Why you have to dress in red if it is government you are representing for all voters, not only DLP? It is not reds you need convincing but especially the others. Didn’t you win last December already or are you not sure? I think you shooting yourself in the foot there.

    • MY 2cents
      August 7, 2015

      It’s a DLP(RED) government. So what’s your point? Workers illiterate people and their usual petty, senseless criticism.

      • Tjebe fort
        August 8, 2015

        They represent at least 40% of the voters, 4 out of 10 carcon and I think it is the most intelligent part of the population. They will wear mr. Skerrit down to self destruction. What I can observe that is what is going on.

  35. Views Expressed
    August 7, 2015

    Skerrit, where really does your thoughts come from.
    As a popular radio hosts reminds his callers before they open their mouth…..the message is:

    “It is better to be thought of as a FOOL than to open your political mouth and prove to the nation that you are”. Who the cap fits let them wear it………..
    Skerrit who are you fooling.???????

    You should be on parliament encouraging debate on this so called budget
    S

  36. PetProjects
    August 7, 2015

    During the 2014 election campaign, the Prime Minister promised that their will be no TAX Increase if he wins another term.. Another lie! Dominicans take what allu get .. #LabourKaTwavay!!

    • joe
      August 7, 2015

      you lie the man never ever said that!!!!!!! Lennox said they would remove VAT and custom duties on building materials if they had won, not Skerrit…. Get your fax right!!!!!!

      • Titiwi
        August 7, 2015

        Joe, DNO headline on 12 July 2013: “No New TAXES – PM Skerrit”.
        He siad that instead of increasing taxes he would seek grants and concessionary loans. What has changed Joe?

      • %
        August 7, 2015

        @ Joe
        You are a semi illiterate, so you have not even understood that Skerrit has made you a beggar and one of his sycophants.Every other word coming from Skerrits mouth is a LIE!!! I detest liars, and we will never prosper when those who lead us are doggone liars!

      • Dee
        August 9, 2015
      • SMH
        August 12, 2015

        Joe, i swear, you are a huge A. u begging man?

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