Posted: Tuesday, March 22, 2016. 7:48 p.m. CST
By Aaron Humes: Prime Minister Right Honorable Dean Barrow’s 9th Budget was severely criticized on the first day of a two-day debate.
Barrow’s revenue and expenditures titled “Stability in a time of change” contemplates spending of 1.151 billion dollars. Opposition leader, Honorable John Briceño, responded by saying that it lacks stability and boldness and only presents recycled initiatives and programs that do not contemplate real solutions.
The truth, says Briceno, is that the Government has run out of ideas and money and that “the pawty done,” to quote a popular soca song. While Briceño says the Opposition enthusiastically supports the three wage increases for teachers and public officers, he argued that the touted development is untrue.
For his part, Lake I area representative, Honorable Cordel Hyde, pointed out that there is disparity in what the government prioritizes. However, Minister of National Security John Saldivar boasted that his portfolio’s budget keeps increasing every financial year.
He outlined the projects to be completed this year and spoke about new acquisitions for the Belize Coast Guard. The debate continues tomorrow.
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