PHILIPSBURG:--- The current sitting coalition seems to be split as some Members of Parliament supporting the current UD/SMCP government voted in favor of three motions presented by the Opposition MPs.
The first two motions were submitted 7 months ago, those are the ones that will have forced the Minister of Finance Perry Geerlings to work on Tax Reform while the second motion will allow visitors to St. Maarten that are using Airbnb to make their fair share of contribution through taxation.
That motion was presented by MP Rolando Brison from the USP faction. Brison the former head of the Tourism Bureau worked endless hours to have the Minister of TEATT and Finance sign an agreement with Airbnb so they can collect and turn over taxes to the government of St. Maarten. The Minister of Finance tried his best to downplay the motion by telling parliament that he recently signed an MOU with Airbnb and parliament will soon get details on that MOU.
MPs Franklyn Meyers, Shridat Brijlani, Luc Mercelina and Channel Brownbill from the ruling coalition voted in favor of the motion allowing both motions to pass with 9 votings in favor while 4 voted against.
However, the biggest blow came from MP Tamara Leonard who danced around the third motion presented by MP Iron Ardwell on Wednesday that would instruct the Minister of Finance Perry Geerlings to work on legislation that would allow first-time homeowners to earn a tax break. MP Leonard is known for her so-call politicking that allow residents to believe that she would work in their best interest. On Wednesday she told Parliament that she wanted to vote in favor but since she did not get her way with the contents of the motion that she would have to vote against it. The motion would allow first-time homeowners that would purchase a home for a maximum of NAF450,000.00 to receive the tax incentives. MP Leonard said she did not believe that the motion should have had a cap on it even if government would lose money from those persons that could afford a million dollar home.
Despite the stance taken by MP Leonard, some nine MPs supported the motion even some from her political party. The motion was carried with nine votes in favor with 5 voted against.
