MP Francisco Lacroes.
PHILIPSBURG--United People’s party (UP) Member of Parliament (MP) Francisco Lacroes has suggested introducing a toll on the Causeway Bridge as a possible way for the government to generate revenue and help reduce costs.
Lacroes made the suggestion during the Central Committee meeting on the draft 2027 Budget on Monday, while presenting ideas that he said could potentially help with the Budget.
He suggested that a small toll could be considered, noting that many people who use the Causeway live on the French side while the cost of maintaining the bridge falls on the Dutch side.
Lacroes said he did not care whether the toll is as little as 25 or 50 cents, suggesting that even a small amount could eventually help the government reduce costs.
He also raised questions about proposals for solar panels at GEBE, saying that an important issue was what would happen to such infrastructure during hurricanes.
Lacroes called for clarity on Mullet Bay, referring to different information that had been presented about the property and the development of a master plan. He said he was supportive of a master plan, but maintained that he would only support an approach other than selling the property if taxpayers receive back the money that was spent, including interest.
The MP also raised concerns about the Rental Tribunal and questioned which ministry is responsible for it. He said the tribunal needs to be overhauled and referred to a case involving a tenant living upstairs in a property where a leak was reportedly preventing the apartment below from being rented.
Lacroes then turned to concerns about people he described as operating as lawyers without having a legal degree. He said he had heard of people taking jobs and preparing immigration documents for individuals while allegedly taking their money.
He said such practices were unacceptable and called on people who had experienced this type of alleged scam to contact him. Lacroes said he would personally pay for a lawyer to pursue such a matter.
GEBE was another major concern. Lacroes questioned the timing of the publication concerning the increase in the fuel clause and the amount that appeared on his bill. He said the increase appeared to have been applied retroactively and said he wanted his money back if he had been overcharged. “I want my money back, I don’t care if it’s one guilder,” Lacroes said.
He said other consumers also expected their money back and described growing frustration with GEBE. Lacroes also questioned the condition of government vehicles used by Justice and raised concerns about police vehicles being in poor condition.
He asked whether government vehicles currently belonging to Justice could be appraised and sold, and whether the proceeds could serve as a down payment toward purchasing new vehicles. He said the condition of the vehicles was a serious problem and linked the issue to concerns about ambulances.
According to Lacroes, the country had at times been operating with only one functioning ambulance, and he said he understood that only one or two ambulances were currently functioning. He described the condition and availability of vehicles and ambulances as matters that were important problems for the country.
Lacroes said these issues, together with possible new revenue measures such as a Causeway toll, should be considered as part of the broader discussion surrounding the 2027 Budget. He asked a number of other questions about the various ministers.
