PHILIPSBURG:--- In the halls of the Parliament of St. Maarten, frustration is mounting. The legislative machinery, designed to serve the people, appears to be grinding to a halt. During the recent Central Committee meeting on December 16, 2025, the discussion surrounding MP Omar E. C. Ottley’s draft law on admission and expulsion revealed a significant obstacle: the Social Economic Council (SER).
While the SER serves a vital function as an advisory body, the proceedings of this meeting suggest it has become a bottleneck rather than a facilitator of progress. The discussion exposed systemic failures—from crippling backlogs to circular arguments over data—that are delaying crucial legislation and eroding public trust.
The "Missing Data" Deadlock
One of the primary frustrations highlighted during the meeting was the SER's refusal to provide advice on the substance of the law, citing "missing information."
MP Rayheon Peterson pointed out that the SER places heavy emphasis on gathering data to prove a law's effectiveness before it offers counsel. While evidence-based policy is essential, Peterson noted that he wants "their actual advice on the law itself," which currently sits in limbo because the SER claims they cannot proceed without every variable defined.
This creates a bureaucratic catch-22. MP Sjamira Roseburg reinforced this, noting that the SER clearly stated they "cannot provide the advice at this moment" due to missing data. She questioned why this data wasn't available or whether answers provided during budget debates could have cleared the hurdle. The result is a stalemate: the SER won't advise without data, but the legislative process cannot move forward to generate that data without their advice.
The Backlog Excuse
Perhaps the most damning criticism came from MP Ottley, who noted the sheer volume of stalled legislation. He revealed that he currently has four pieces of legislation sitting with the SER, some for "over a year and months."
When pressed, the SER cites a backlog. However, for a nation facing urgent social and economic challenges, an administrative backlog is a weak justification for stalling the people's business. If the advisory body cannot keep pace with the legislature, it ceases to be an asset and becomes a liability.
Public Perception and "Red Tape"
The real-world consequence of these delays is a deteriorating relationship between the government and the electorate. MP Ottley spoke passionately about the public perception of Parliamentarians. He noted that the people of St. Maarten see MPs "collecting big fat salaries" while appearing to do nothing.
The public rarely sees bureaucratic hurdles or the "red tape" that kills momentum behind the scenes. They only see that laws promised in the news vanish into a void. When the SER holds onto legislation for over a year, they don't just delay a vote; they fuel the narrative that the government is ineffective or lying to the populace.
A System in Need of Clarity
The meeting also touched on a fundamental lack of streamlined processes. There is ongoing confusion about which laws must go to the SER versus which should. The Chairlady acknowledged that discussions are currently underway to determine "what issues are social economic issues" and to streamline the process.
The fact that these basic definitions are still being debated in 2025 is concerning. Without clear guidelines, laws are sent to the SER unnecessarily, or they get stuck in a loop of jurisdictional ambiguity, further clogging the pipeline.
Moving Forward: Recommendations for Reform
To restore faith in the legislative process, the SER's role and operations must be re-evaluated.
1. Define the Scope: We need a strict, codified definition of which legislation requires SER advice to prevent the body from being overwhelmed with non-essential reviews.
2. Impose Deadlines: Advisory bodies should operate under strict timelines. If advice is not rendered within a set period (e.g., 6 weeks), Parliament should be empowered to proceed without it.
3. Provisional Advice: The SER should be mandated to provide advice on the legal framework of a draft ordinance, even if statistical data is incomplete. Advice should be constructive, not obstructive.
4. Resource Allocation: If the backlog is genuine, the SER must either be given the resources to clear it or the mandate to prioritize urgent legislation.
The Central Committee meeting made one thing clear: the current dynamic is unsustainable. For St. Martin to move forward, the SER must evolve from a gatekeeper into a true partner in progress.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint-Maarten (KPSM), in close cooperation with its other law-enforcement partners, continued its intensified controls and preventative actions aimed at ensuring public safety across the island.