PHILIPSBURG–Finance Minister Perry Geerlings and Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (TEATT) Minister Stuart Johnson had what appeared to be a battle of words during the live Council of Ministers press briefing on Wednesday over a surprise proposal that Johnson announced he would be presenting to his colleague ministers later that day.
In his opening remarks, Johnson announced that he would be submitting a letter to Geerlings and General Affairs Minister Wycliffe Smith requesting “a tax-free ‘vacancie’ loan in the month of June, implementation of a 13th month and a choice of a weekly salary payment” for civil servants. Johnson said the premise is that things can be tough for civil servants.
Geerlings took offence that the issue was raised publicly before it had been discussed in a Council of Ministers meeting and given the country’s precarious financial situation.
“I just heard what my colleague of the TEATT mentioned. It’s quite unfortunate that I have to hear it like this,” Geerlings said. “I think the proper procedure, if a colleague minister has a wish or a suggestion, is that we discuss it amongst ourselves in the Council of Ministers and not make it publicly known first and then place the colleague ministers in a dilemma.”
Geerlings, who had indicated that the country had just 25 to 30 million guilders in its coffers, said the country’s liquidity position shows the financial constraints being faced.
“And now to be placed publicly on the spot – not to come with some form of a solution or a concession … I think it’s irresponsible and I am sorry that I have to address it like this, but I carry my responsibility as a Minister of Finance and for the financial stability of this country. I take it very seriously and I am not going out there and make promises that we might not keep.”
Turning to the media, Geerlings said “a good question” would be to ask Johnson, “How do you see it [the proposal – Ed.] working out financially?”
“Because I take it, if you have a proposal, you [should have] worked that all out already when you propose it to the Council of Ministers and then we can further discuss it,” he said. “I find it really, really unnecessary that it has been put to the public now in this way and I can tell you now already that not having seen the content of the letter … I make it abundantly clear right now that I cannot commit [to this].”
Geerlings said that while Johnson was seeking publicity, he [Geerlings] did not see how the proposals would be possible. “I’m sorry to say this, but this is not the correct way to go about these things.”
Johnson shot back with a response, saying that he had “been known to dumb it down in parliament and I wouldn’t want to do it here.” He went on to say that stimulating the buying power of the consumer would stimulate economic growth opportunities. He said also that he had always heard information released for the first time in the press briefings.
“Press briefings have always been the opportunity to hear things sometimes for the first time. I have always heard things here in press briefings for the first time in some facets here and there. … I don’t serve the Council of Ministers, I serve the people of St. Maarten,” he said.
Johnson reiterated that he would submit his letter clearly outlining what it means to have “a 13th month, what it means to have your vacation pay not taxed because it’s money you’ve earned and money you have worked for. … I’ll be submitting that letter this afternoon, surprise or not. Sometimes surprises are good. It’s good for the upcoming season to receive a surprise and there might be more surprises coming.”
Geerlings had said earlier that the country has had a deficit budget since 2017 adding, “It is not correct to give people hope that there are possibilities to give them extra.” He stressed that while everyone might want something extra, “if it would be possible we can entertain some things – discuss it first in the Council of Ministers … then come out and tell the people [whether] this is possible or not possible.”
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/92115-johnson-geerlings-face-off-during-live-press-briefing
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