People’s vote coming on gambling and ganja
(CNS): The PACT Government is planning to roll out a referendum next year on a national lottery and the decriminalisation of ganja. Premier Wayne Panton has said that after Parliament meets later this month, he will be revealing more details about further questions that will be put to the people. Appearing on Radio Cayman last week, he said the issues and questions had not yet been settled but ganja and gambling would be on the ballot.
“We are considering doing a referendum next year,” he told the host of For The Record, Orrett Connor, on Friday when he appeared as a guest on the show. “That will include the question of having a national lottery… It will include a clarified position and a question around the decriminalisation of cannabis… as distinct from legalisation, meaning that the consequence of having a small amount for personal use isn’t going to be far-reaching and leave you with a police record.”
Panton said it was possible there would be other questions on the ballot but at this point, nothing was cast in stone.
The issue of a national vote on a lottery has been debated in the community for decades and there have been some failed attempts in the past to secure a people-initiated referendum. However, a government-initiated referendum would be an easier road to a legal lottery because it would only require a simple majority to succeed. In contrast, to initiate a people’s referendum, 25% of registered voters must sign a petition, then in the actual vote, 50% plus one of the entire electorate must vote yes.
Panton said that in addition to asking the people about a national lottery, the current legislation dealing with gambling in Cayman was no longer fit for purpose and needed to be amended because it was fueling more crime than it prevented. He said changes may also pave the way for casinos to open on ships in local waters late in the afternoon before departure.
“There is a problem with gambling in our country,” he said, noting that the law was drafted in 1964. “It was not well drafted then and, to be honest, it’s certainly not fit for purpose now.” He said the government had to try and control things and improve the gambling act.
Panton explained how criminalising gambling had deterred the victims of robbery from reporting it for fear of being held to account themselves. “It is breeding the wrong kind of activity,” he said. “Anything that is creating a situation where people have cash accumulated is a temptation.”
Cannabis was also an issue on the campaign trail and a number of candidates voiced support for decriminalisation. The premier stated shortly after taking office that the PACT Government would look at the issue this term, a move that has wide support in the community.
Some people believe the Cayman Islands should go much further, and one group of campaigners has even drafted bespoke legislation that would pave the way for recreational use and cultivation.
See Panton on FTR below:
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid
If the government sells licenses to build and operate a casino at a 60/40 split where the government gets 60% and the private company gets 40%, the government could get rid of all import duties putting Cayman in a class like Monaco, but knowing people and how they operate they will sell us out and the government will get pennies and the private company will get the bag and we the people will have to give concessions to the private companies.
Perhaps the PACT should also address the question of abortion. It is well recognised that access to abortions is one of the most effective crime prevention measures.
BS 2:18. Abortion is a crime.
Lack of being able to access an abortion is a crime against humanity.
Humanity includes babies
Easy way to kill both topics by placing them on the same referendum. Class act PACT…class act!
Two votes, they’re not linked.
Believe it when I see it! This is just another distraction, ain’t gonna happen, trust me!
A referendum can only have one question, so we are holding several referenda at one time then ?
Referendi!
You can only vote once on a ballot.
You can tick “yes” or “no” to multiple questions on one ballot. This is not rocket science.
Remember the May 2009 election, when we vote for district candidates and for or against the Constitution.
I hate weed and think gambling is idiotic but think both should be legalised. Prohibition doesn’t work and pushes a sector of the economy underground and brings with it the associated violence. Too many vested interests in keeping the business in the hands of those who already do it though. Not going to happen.
National lottery yes.
Weed no.
That’s right let’s keep the weed business highly profitable and in the hands of violent gangsters and traffickers. Brilliant idea. There are so many great examples of prohibition working.
2:27, The rest of the world is switched on to the ganja train and all the science behind it that has been suppressed for decades but people would rather wait till its being grown on the moon and 95% of our youth have criminal convictions for spliffs i.e. no employment opportunities before switching on.
Caymans No. 1 problem with substance abuse is alcohol and that is a FACT; just like its a FACT it is THE gateway drug.
Moving on….
I’m for Marijuana. Not in bars, not around children and a small amount.
I’m also for gambling. But with a family law included. If 3 or more family members agree to stop you from Gambling, its final and you can no longer enter a casino. Sometimes it destroys people. But for the rest of us, why should we be punished.
Can we at least use government credit cards?
Lol.
Add a vote to ban leaf blowers and the polls will be packed!!
Ill-conceived suggestions.
If they legalize gambling we have the example to follow in what the Bahamas did; its not rocket science. It was 10+ in operation before a Bahamian could spin the wheel.
Locals cannot gamble in the casino; only work there.
It would be good to have a vote on the abolishment of single member constituencies and instead MP’s voted in on a single ballot for all to avoid voter blocks of 200-300 controlling the results.
Turkeys rarely vote for Christmas so I’m sure this won’t be an option!
Agreed. This is a most worthy priority.
How will these pass when everything closes at midnight on a Saturday? No music on a Sunday. Be a long, long time before these pass, imo, when those other 2 laws still stand.
The first step should be for legalized medical cannabis/marijuana with licensed patients, doctors, growers, dispensaries, extractors, labs, etc. which gov’t already has the framework and just needs to be amended to new regulations.
Allow patients to grow 4-8 plants or possess 4-8oz.
Reform Liquor Board to Liquor and Cannabis Board
Cannabis tax revenue can go toward funding a general fund, education, youth, reform, and addiction/rehabilitation programs.
100% Caymanian owned-companies and jobs. No pharmacy should be selling opioids and medical marijuana, just like how they don’t sell tobacco products.
Then, move to Decimalization and expunge all eligible marijuana convictions.
After studies and education on the benefits, pros, and cons of the cannabis industry. hold a vote for full legalization.
tax revenue from the gaming/gambling industry should fund the same or similar programs.
Additional question to be added to the referendum ballot:
Within 30 days of a majority vote confirmed, should the Residential Tenancies Act (also known as the Landlord and Tenant Law) be immediately commenced into law, which was already passed into law on 14th March 2009, gazetted on 7th July 2009 but never enacted into law in over 13 years?!
No to Ganja we don’t need any more pot heads. I hate the smell of ganja.
Yes to lottery. It is already here let’s make it legal. Less crime involved.
I also hate ganja and the muppets who smoke it but guess what? It is already here let’s make it legal. Less crime involved.
Hope they got jobs lined up for 90% of the HMP Northwards residents when they have to let them all out vacate their spliff convictions…
If Govt were to take a hand in this they could build a farm and boom! They have their employees….
Has any state with legal marijuana released prisoners?
If its decriminalized would you expect to keep someone locked up?
The answer is yes.
There will be NO legalization for the time being. Just ask Liz Truss! No, don’t even bother her. Call Bermuda’s Premier. So…let’s be satisfied if decriminalization is achieved!
If we tried to legalise UK would likely step in to stop it as they just did with Bermuda.
No. UK will give assent to it, provided it’s compliant with the three UN drug conventions, our Constitution (especially our Bill of Rights enshrined therein) and the European Convention on Human Rights — this is all very achievable and everything will go just fine, provided the Cayman Islands stays within proper legal parameters.
That last bit is where we have problems…
Perhaps because CIG is very clueless about much of this stuff, especially the Attorney General.
Did Orrie Merren’s and Prentice Panton’s campaign to get enough signatures for Government to make this decision or did Kenny and Jay simply push this along faster?
Anyway….yeah!!
Not sure. Mr. Merren, Mr. Panton and Dr. Lockhart certainly gave it a big push and did it very professionally.
A felony for Marijuana is absolutely ridiculous in this day and age. All you need to do is read the studies.
If anything restrict the sale of alcohol.
Sale of alcohol is already restricted; you can’t buy it between 2-10am.
Why not go for the trifecta and add in prostitution? We can be the Vegas of the Caribbean.
We already got that. It’s legal for VIP dons and politicians only.
Delivered by air
If COVID didn’t lick us we would still have Mariposa…and all the other back-room dens in the local watering holes.
Prostitution has always been legal in Cayman. However, living off the earnings of a prostitute is illegal so pimps will still be jailed.
idea of national lottery has been examined before.
we don’t have the population numbers to make substantially profitable.end of story.
I think it’s just opening the door for gambling which is something that is already happening illegally.
easy solution that does not need referendum and would make cig a fortune:
bring in weed tourism(to protect the fine caymanian christian ‘heritage’, only tourists and expats are allowed purchase)
bring in casinos at top hotels (to protect the fine caymanian christian ‘heritage’. only tourists and expats are allowed)
8:23 am, When was the last time you were not stoned?
Must be stoned right now with that comment about legal weed for tourists and ex-pats only.
When Caymanians and the youth have been impacted the most by marijuana laws, so Caymanians should benefit the most when the laws change.
Although, restricting gambling in casinos to the tourists and ex-pats like the Bahamas would be step in the right direction.
Legalizing gambling will bring in organized crime and the casinos are for money laundering. They will bring in a LOT of financial benefits to those in power (politicians, gaming commission, etc.)
All too true! No gambling or drugs , please!
Still think the gov. is missing an opportunity by not allowing people to grow their own. A process similar to applying for a trade and business license and a yearly fee to grow up to 6 plants on your property would make gov. money and still keeps with the decriminalization rather than full legalization. This money could go to the department of agriculture, education, and child services. While I am in the camp of full legalization, i understand the gov position and the need for funds
Should be allowed 6 plants beyond which requires licensing. 6 is good for personal use.
The premier is a master at saying nothing with copious wording. There is no commitment in what he said just ‘consideration’.
I think you all forget these were the promises he made while running for election. He either does this or he is a liar.
We do not need this. We need education, cleaner air/environment and natural energy….Before rolling out the toxic “fun” for other to monopolize on!
We need this and that. Amazing how people could care about everything all at once.
This is a red herring. We can do both at the same time.
Clearly the pm is no longer playing with a full deck of cards………
He is trying so hard to be relevant! I do think he has just put the last nail in his coffin. Mr Premier you just made the worse comment so far in your tenure.
We need an overhaul of the medical system, tranport system, education system, environment, planning department, need I go on and on.? Don’t screw up the Cayman Islands worse than it is by pandering to those in your cabinet who are gung-ho on this, it will not help you. They will still fight you!
It’s hard enough teaching the kids at government schools at the moment. God forbid what it will be like with half of them stoned
Funny thing about that… are they drunk at school right now? Concerning you think this will lead the way to underage consumption, which will still be illegal. But when they are 18 and can make decisions for themselves they won’t have record for the rest of their lives. Its on the parents to raise their children better.
Not just kids at school.
It’s hard enough to get people to work on time, then have them do a proper days work.
“Everything’s cool no problem irie”. is all you’ll get from your staff.
Who says they aren’t already?
What about the children in private schools. Do you think they are all top drawer kids? They will probably have more money to spend on marijuana and can supply the “poor kids in government schools”. Have you given any thought to that?
Best news I’ve heard in a long time. Time to tell the Holy People to start making a change of being Sunday worshippers and look at what’s good for the country. We’re fighting a losing battle with numbers as the cash sum of $50 million leave Cayman every year and by legalizing ganja would add another $100 million to Government revenue.
100,000,000 / 78,000 = $1,282 spent by every person on this island btw.
The government has just told us they are making more than ever before. Turning the school youngsters into potheads is nothing but idiotic. if you don’t believe that, you are already a pothead!
Good.
The ridiculous amount of people playing numbers under the radar certainly means this would be a good revenue generating avenue. It would also remove another easy way for robbers to grab cash.
Ganja. Decriminalization would be a start. I just fear all the church going conservatives would be mobilized into the “drugs are bad” mantra, and scupper this, without realizing how much this would help Cayman.
Yes, start attacking the Church without knowing anything about it. I am a cigar loving, beer and wine drinking and lottery playing Christian, my Church does not condemn me. The Church advocates we maintain control of our bodies and so does the law. People can be arrested for being drunk and disorderly and even if ganja was legal there would be a similar law, so stop bashing what you know nothing about and generalising. Always going after the Christians when Jews and Muslims have far more strict codes.
I was at a Church of God funeral for a dear friend once. The pastor spent more time castigating smokers and drinkers as sinners than he did on the deceased. I was disgusted.
At my grandmother’s funeral, the minister went off on the evils of homosexuality. My grandmother was not homosexual but he just had to spew his bile.
Exactly.
Hey Wayno. Maybe you should check the regional news. The UK is blocking Bermuda from legalizing marijuana. Try to keep up okay.
Not for decriminalisation. Bermuda and BVI had legislation that went too far into the recreational realm, rather than staying into the safe areas of decriminalisation and medical cannabis legislation.
Bermuda’s Misuse of Drugs (Decriminalisation of Cannabis) Amendment Act 2017 is still good law.
It is Bermuda’s Cannabis Licensing Act 2020, which the UK did not approved and, therefore, HE the Governor could not give assent.
Whatever works!
Do we need to increase the current building height limits along 7-mile, George Town, Bodden Town, East End, West Bay and Northside?
Of course not! Are you stoned now?
No! That would be one of the most stupid acts the government ever came up with.
classic pact…talking about maybe plans for something sometime next year….zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
look what they have done to date…nothing.
this is just a smokescreen to give the impression they are doing something.
next year they will kick the can down the road till after next elections or some other nonsense………..zzzzzzzzzzzzz
no chance…we live in a place where you can’t dance or buy groceries on a sunday…..welcome to wonderland.
theses measure don’t need a referendum….just change the laws and bring them in. do it for 18 month trial period and then hold referendum
Do people go to dances any more? . I cannot remember the last time I heard someone say” I am going to a dance”. When I used to go many many moons ago the women had to dance on the stage by themselves while all the men was hooked up by the bar. Does that still happen?
Question 3- Should the tax-payers allow our MPs to double-dip in salaries and pensions? Yes/No
Question 4- Should the Hourly wages for MPs be based on Parliamentary Meetings? Yes/No
smoke and mirrors. please deal with the real issues facing the country.
Can we put to vote the PACT members so we can choose who we want to get rid of? National vote for all politicians.
We do that every four years. It’s called a general election.
It’s by far a national election. We should vote for the premier, not let them decide between their 4 brain cells.
If gambling is legalized will everyone get an interest free Govt CCard so we could support the initiative ?
My light bill was over a thousand bucks this month. Mr. Premier while you at, why not throw in gentleman’s clubs in the mix?
No to cannibalism
Well Armie already resides here most of the year…..
I’m happy the Premier is planning to bring this – long overdue.
Of all the real problems in this country, this is what we think needs time and money first. How about alternative energy so CUC can stop killing us, traffic, education, housing crisis, environment, job opportunities. PACT pick one and don’t waste people time with foolishness. Cayman people have real problems and ganja and gambling ain’t solving them.
why not do both?
You need to legalize and not just decriminalize. Otherwise, people are just going to buy unregulated and potentially unsafe smuggled product.
The supply needs to be from proper regulated storefront dispensaries. In Canada, after a referendum in 2018, cannabis was legalized and now there are clean, staffed stores that carry regulated product that is properly packaged, labeled and quality controlled.
This fella lives in a land of make believe.
As they say in Cumber Ave, ‘boy you can hear some shit!
And there’s plenty of that in Cumber Avenue, 7:34.
“meaning that the consequence of having a small amount for personal use isn’t going to be far-reaching and leave you with a police record.”
Where will we get it from????
I know a guy…
Drug runners from Jam rock.
Your District Representative perhaps?
Well if the importation of produce from all of these countries I heard mentioned recently comes then sourcing will be no problem!! I guess they are saying ” let us kill two birds with one stone” A bunch of dimwits is what they are.
Sould allowed a small number of plants for personal use. Should be growing and exporting medical marijuana. Could be a good income earner to help balance trades and boost local economy.
Church goers will be pressed to vote against all of this.
I’m a Christian, who goes to church, and I will vote in favour of decriminalisation of cannabis.
Seems you have a brain of your own. Realize that you are an exception to the rule.
You are probably right – just like the terrible constitution we are stuck with.
*told.
*instructed
Q.3 – Should all Caymanians (birth, Status, etc) be allowed stand in elections for Government.
Not all. Status grantees children, if they set down roots and stay here, can run for office, but the initial grantees cannot.
“Caymanians as of right” can stand for office. No exceptions.
* grandchildren
Don’t be daft.
having a small amount for personal use….someone somewhere is going to have the large amount to make small amounts lol. Not against it at all. In fact it should be legalized and distributed from a proper dispensary. Let the government sell it…collect the duty. Currently Duty on cigars is 102% that’s a win for the coffers. Cannabis has long proven to have many beneficial medicinal properties. Let’s wake up and join the rest of the world. When’s the last time someone sparked up and beat their spouse? I’d pretty much say never. When’s the last time someone drank a bottle of rum and beat their spouse ? Minutes ago.
I like the idea of a referendum it means that 200 people are not deciding the fate of the island like a general election.
What should be added is “Do you think Kenneth Bryan is fit to represent this country ”
Let voters voices be heard.
Legalize it yes but why would you want government to sell it? Leave it to the private sector to produce and dispense. Government just needs to charge for a license to do so.
Reflections has the market locked down already with all their “tobacco products” which look exactly like ganja bongs, pipes, papers, air fresheners, grinders, rolling stations, blunts due to the ganja leave plastered all over them; did I miss anything?
Oh yeah, they also bring it in and supply to Doctors Hospital.
Question:
How can one be arrested for rizzla as drug paraphernalia when they buy from a shop such as Reflections Liquor for Less or the Bong Shop across from 7-11 and the business owners are not arrested for selling drug paraphernalia from shops clearly promoting illegal drug use?
All this is quite strange; the last time I came back from Jamaica last year they seized a Bob Marley t-shirt from my luggage due to a ganja leaf….
T shirt seized, because it’s a prohibited product under Customs legislation. Probably time to amend that legislation too.
Agree completely. Doctor’s Express is legally selling vapes and CBD oils; these compounds interact with the human body differently than smoking the herb, but both should be available to everyone. Colorado figured it out — they created a field sobriety test and a standard for ‘intoxication’ so people could be measured for excessive use of the herb while driving.
We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. We need to study and adopt the same standards. Government should comission local growers to grow it, and we could employ Caymanians to sort, sift and package it. CIG could tax it and everyone wins.
Let’s get this done right.
Churches shouldn’t have a problem given that Genesis 1:29-30 says “And God said, ‘Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.’ And it was so.
Ganja has been unfairly vilified for decades. It does good. It is much safer and better for the body than alcohol. Let us finally make good decisions for the future.
even if cultivation and distribution was controlled (somehow) by government, and taxed too, there will still be an obstacle regarding the takings. No bank in the Cayman islands will accept bank deposits from cannabis. So revenues will remain in cash, in safes, adding to the risk that any ganja business already runs – armed robbery perhaps…
This problem is being addressed in Congress and Senate in the US.
The problem is that, at the Federal level, there are issues, but not at the State level.
In the US, the cannabis companies and dispensaries are banking in Co-Operative Building Societies (like Credit Union).
The issue is that, because bank transactions in USD currency have to go through the US clearing system in New York, there are Federal law violations.
However, if, for example, you deal in Canadian currency, there is no issue.
The domestic banks might be playing it safer than legally necessary, based on the bank’s business policy, but they are not legally prohibited.
In the US, the banks (and cooperative building societies), which do transactions with cannabis businesses file a SARS report every time such transactions occurs.
There are many ways to comply, but operating in USD transactions is the main issue, because of the clearing system that has Federal law implications.
Right now local banks are taking deposits from retail pharmacies that are the proceeds of lawfully authorized cannabis extracts/tinctures dispensed to patients, who are prescribed by a medical doctor.
That is an excellent question. Can we tell him to stay in his yard and leave the business of governing to sensible people who have self control?
Why only decriminalisation? If we’re having a referendum, why not let us vote on full legalization too?
The three UN drug conventions, particularly the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961 (as amended by the 1972 Protocol) read together with the UN Convention Against Illegal Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances 1988 (aka the “Vienna Convention”), will not allow for full recreational legalization, at least at this point, but it does make room legally for decriminalisation of cannabis for personal use by adults in private as well as for full legalization of cannabis for medical, therapeutic and scientific purposes.
Whilst we do have a narrow legalization for medical cannabis extracts and tinctures, where prescribed by a duly licensed medical doctor domestically (s.2A(1)-(2, Misuse of Drugs Act), we still have much legal wiggle room for licensing 100% Caymanians owned and controlled businesses for, inter alia, domestic cultivation and cannabinoid extraction, as well as research and product development, and export to lawfully authorized recipients-parties in other jurisdictions.
A licensed regime for medical cannabis uses has great potential to be another pillar of economic stability for the Cayman Islands, particularly for Caymanians.
Certain educational steps are needed first to quash the misinformation of addiction, gateway drug, dangerous behavior etc…but this should be end goal, yes!
If we are going to do it, then I think both questions need to be asked because there may be more appetite to decriminalization than there is for legalization. There are good arguments for either, although if we are going to decriminalize, why not take the next step that could add to the government coffers rather than having it still mostly controlled by individuals who would still be selling illegally (unless it was legal for people to import it for personal use). Regardless, I applaud the government for taking a progressive and proactive approach to these social issues and their willingness to put it to the people. While they are at it, why not put a constitutional change that allows same-sex marriage, abortion and cremation on the ballot and see where the majority of voters stand on those issues as well. If we are going to be progressive (or at least be open to progressiveness) let’s go all they way and put it to voters and let the chips fall where they may.
“Too” is the operative word.
I want to see Casinos added to the referendum. If we do gambling we may as well look at gambling tourism. Cayman would be a desired location and could present stayover tourism in slow months.
Marijuana was first in line, wait your turn.
No need for a referendum on marijuana. JuJu promised it already.
She did. But why is she so quiet about it now?
Happy for this!
If I cannot grow 5 plants in my yard for personal consumption or sale to a Government dispensary I am not interested. De-Criminalizing is simply kicking the problem down the road. Legalise it and allow me to grow my 5 plants so the drug dealers go out of business. De-Criminalizing only benefits the dealers because they will get more customers who are not afraid of being arrested.
Possession, consumption and cultivation (up to 5 cannabis trees per household per premises) for personal use by adults in private is provided for in some jurisdictions and certain Commonwealth countries/jurisdictions have it as case-law precedents set by the Courts, based on human rights (particularly privacy rights).
Easy there, stoner. Social change takes time and maybe baby steps is the only way we can go. Legalisation is inevitable eventually (maybe only after the olds die off) and if the people would rather have us buy our bud from local dealers or use our money to support the economies in Canada or the US states where it is legal for a while, then so be it – progress is still progress.
Spoken like a true dealer protesting his profession
Other issues that could or should be put on the Referendum include:
1. Term limits as a MoP. Say 8 years.
2. Should Gay Marriage be made legal in the Cayman Islands?
3. Should the Cayman Islands introduce a yearly property tax for foreign owners who do not reside in the country?
4. Should the Cayman Islands limit the amount of property a foreign investor can purchase?
5. Should the Cayman Islands establish a moratorium on car importation? i.e. 10 years
1. I agree.
2. Civil Union nothing more. All the benefits not the name and done by a JP.
3. Good luck with that.
4. They will get residency and bypass.
5. Do you mean age of vehicle? If so 10 is too tight. See 10 year old vehicles better than 5 year old
I respect your opinion on #2, but why not put it to the people to see if the majority believe that gay marriage should be allowed. It would very well fail (the churches would direct their flock to vote against it) but at least the question of the majority of the voters would be answered. (And yes, I am fully aware that the majority of the population is disenfranchised, but ultimately this should be decided by voters.)
Mine is 16 and in excellent condition, far better than many I see on the road. Totally agree with you.
Yes to questions 3 and 4.
Since Dart and Shilling are Caymaniana, that’s not going to help the big picture.
True because, if they wanted, they have the resources to compete with most others on a massive scale.
1. Yes.
2. Yes
3. Yes.
4. Yes.
5. No. Cayman needs a better transportation system first.
Cayman should put a moratorium on selling to foreigners. They are setting up AirBnBs and causing a shortage of housing for the people that live here which is running up the rental prices as well as real estate prices. However, that’s where government is getting all of his surplus from so they can continue to poverise the locals and make them live off of government then they have to vote for them. Of course, this stupid referendum they are doing is to distract the locals, so they don’t see the big picture. This is just a distraction from all of the stupid things that Jay, Kenny, and Saunders are doing.
Should convicted criminals be permitted to hold political office?
How about a small yearly property tax (like 0.25% or 0.50%) on all properties valued at more than CI$1 million regardless of nationality? It will mostly catch non-Caymanians who buy on SMB, but also the Caymanians (and new Caymainian) who have done really, really well here. They can afford to pay without any hardship.
My only concern is, as property prices rise this starts to hurt everyone and not just who you think it targets.
My parents bought a house for 180K in 2001. That same house is now 450K. 0.5% is $2,000. The average person has to now find $2000 in cash to pay the government or else what?.. they lose their house when the gov sends the police to evict you?
This essentially turns everyone from home owners to renters because if you don’t pay someone is coming to evict you.
I think I may get where you are coming from though, in that those who can afford to buy and buy and buy without really getting stuck into the community and feeling the effects of decisions and policies should pay for the benefit of ownership without the downsides like those that live here. I get where the sentiment comes from, but annual taxes on property is too wide a net to cast. They already have the resources to skirt every thing, so this will only hurt the average resident (poor to middle class).
Also another question is, what benefit would this bring? The country gets more money sure, but we already piss away every cent we get. The efficiency of the government is absolute abysmal. We first need to address the wasteful spending of public funds by every single government official responsible for spending before we take measures to give them more money.
maybe 5 mil a mil doesn’t buy much these days.
Lol.
This dude is in a world of his own. We have more pressing issues at hand.
There are always pressing issues to deal with. Have to start somewhere. Multitasking is admirable.
This is a distraction. We have more serious issues that they aren’t doing anything about like his three wayward ministers.
I listened to the Premier with OC and, although I don’t always agree with his views, this time he made sense.
Just because you cannot walk and chew gum at the same time doesn’t mean the rest of us – including the government – can’t. This is a big issue for a lot of people who you obviously have no time for.