The “Road to Ruin” budget is an important one, as it deals in levels of Government expenditure and debt never seen before in Bermuda.
As in previous years, Government does not make it easy for the citizenry to watch what they are up to. They do not make the debate schedule publicly available on the Government website, nor do they broadcast the proceedings on that spanky expensive CITV cable station. There is no reliable transcript, and in most cases no detailed voting record is maintained.
So, in the interest of public information, here’s the 2010 budget debate schedule for the Bermuda House of Assembly. They will be covering about $475,000 of expenditure per minute over the 42 hours of debate. So I am sure cough they’ll do a thorough job.
It is worth noting that yesterday’s debate on the Cabinet Office’s multimillion dollar budget increase was stymied by the Premier delivering a 2 hour fillibuster-like monologue, rambling on subjects outside the budget discussion and even thanking the building cleaners to fill the time. This left only 30 seconds for debate. This is lousy governance. It means that the House is not doing its job to oversee the public purse, it appears dishonest and evasive, and it reflects poorly on Bermuda.
They also passed the Government Loans Amendment Act which raises Bermuda’s debt ceiling to $1.25 billion. So if you see your MP this week, be sure to thank them on behalf of your children, who face a lifetime of increased taxes to help pay down the PLP’s financial incontinence.
March 8th
Cabinet Office
Head9 Cabinet Office Headquarters
Head 14 Dept of Statistics
Head 26 Dept of Human Resources
2 Hours
Ministry of Telecommunications and E-Commerce
Head 46 Ministry of Telecommunications and E-Commerce
Head 13 Post Office
Head 90 Energy
2 Hours
Ministry of Finance
Head 11 Accountant General
Head 59 Sinking Fund
3 Hours
March 10th
Ministry of Health
Head 22 Health Department
Head 24 Hospital
Head 91 Health Insurance
Head 21 Ministry of Health Headquarters
5 Hours
Non-Ministry Department
Head 63 Parliamentary Registrar
Head 5 Auditor General
Head 2 Legislature
2 Hours
March 12th
Ministry of Tourism & Transport
Head 30 Marine & Ports
Head 31 Airport Operations
Head 33 Tourism
Head 48 Transport HQ
5 Hours
Ministry of Justice
Head 87 Ministry of Justice HQ
Head 3 Judicial Department
Head 4 Attorney General’s Chambers
Head 75 Department of Public Prosecutions
2 Hours
March 15th
Ministry of Education
Head 16 Ministry of Education HQ
Head 17 Education Department
4 Hours
Head 41 Bermuda College
1 Hour
Ministry of Youth & Sports
Head 20 Youth, Sports & Recreation
Head 50 Ministry of Youth & Sports HQ
2 Hours
March 17th
Ministry of Labour, Home Affairs & Housing
Head 7 Police
Head 25 Corrections
Head 53 Bermuda Housing Corporation
Head 60 Labour & Training
Head 83 Ministry of Labour, Home Affairs & Housing HQ
5 Hours
Ministry of the Environment
Head 32 Planning Department
Head 69 Conservation Services
Head 72 Environmental Protection
2 Hours
March 19th
Ministry of Works & Engineering
Head 36 Works Engineering HQ
Head 80 Arch. Design & Construction
Head 81 Lands, Buildings & Surveys
Head 82 Operations & Engineering
4 Hours
Ministry of Cultural Affairs & Social Rehabilitation
Head 23 Child & Family Services
Head 55 Financial Assistance
Head 74 Department of Court Services
Head 88 National Drug Control
3 Hours
TOTAL 42 HOURS
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