Tag: UPM
Minority Cabinet votes extra $7.7M for police budget
(CNS): The minority UPM government added another CI$7.7 million to the RCIPS budget last month, just days before the release of the Pre-Election Economic and Financial Update from the finance ministry. Financial Secretary Kenneth Jefferson confirmed that this vote for the supplementary funding was taken into consideration in the report and is part of the […]
UPM leaves next government a CI$26.2m deficit
(CNS): The departing UPM administration is leaving behind a public finance crisis for the next government. After an increase in core operational spending and a drop in expected revenue for 2025 and 2026, the minority government managed to turn what should have been a surplus of almost CI$55 million this year into a $26.2 million […]
Court considers stay on removal of NCC scientists
(CNS): A grand court judge is expected to make a decision tomorrow on whether or not the technical experts and scientists on the National Conservation Council who were fired by Cabinet will be able to keep their positions until a legal argument over the legality of that mass sacking is resolved. Stuart Mailer and Patricia […]
PPM back UPM’s controversial referendum bill
(CNS): Opposition Leader Joey Hew offered his backing to the controversial Referendum Bill on Monday, making it almost certain that on Election Day, voters will be asked whether or not they support the concept of a cruise pier without any details of what type of berthing facilities the next government should develop, how much it […]
UPM backs down on attempt to gut conservation law
(CNS): After the parliament met amid significant controversy on Friday, Sustainability Minister Dwayne Seymour withdrew the contentious National Conservation Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024, citing, though not explaining, the cooperation that the UPM had enjoyed from the official opposition. After delivering a short speech in which he suggested (incorrectly, given the wide opposition to the legislation) […]
Activists urge PPM not to allow UPM’s contested bills
(CNS): As Cayman waits to find out if parliament will meet on Friday, local activist group Sustainable Cayman is urging the PPM to stick to their previously stated position and not allow the two controversial bills that the minority government wants to push through the House to pass or even to be debated. At a […]
Premier overrules majority to put contested bills on agenda
(CNS): Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly has overruled the opposition majority of MPs on the parliamentary Business Committee and reneged on a deal the UPM minority government had with the Progressives, who agreed to support the government’s quorum until the election, which is just three months away, if the UPM did not put contentious bills on the […]
Lame-duck Cabinet keeps spending public cash
(CNS): The minority UPM government has shown no signs of letting up on critical decision-making, such as spending and policy, including the drafting of various amendment bills that may not pass, given that the administration lost its mandate to govern back in October. The lame-duck Cabinet, comprising just five ministers, had two meetings in January, […]
Mac begs opposition to support the UPM’s bills
(CNS): McKeeva Bush MP has made an unabashed appeal to PPM Leader Joey Hew and other opposition members to attend the parliamentary Business Committee meetings ahead of the scheduled session this month and help get the referendum bill and changes to the conservation law on the order paper for debate.
Scientists not consulted over conservation law changes
(CNS): The minority UPM government did not consult scientists or technical experts at the Department of Environment when it drafted the controversial amendments to the National Conservation Act. Since publishing the amendment bill, there has been no comment from the sustainability minister, senior ministry officials or the premier on the proposed changes, the justification for […]
Panton warns of political risk posed by NCA changes
(CNS): Former premier and sustainability minister Wayne Panton has raised significant concerns about the minority UPM government’s attempts to gut the National Conservation Act, specifically the damage the proposed changes could cause to the environment as well as the political and governance risks they present. Panton said the draft bill not only undermines the intent […]
