Government and Opposition Senators sparred in the Upper House on Friday over the state of the Jamaican economy.
The opposing viewpoints clashed as the Senate debated the Environmental Protection Levy Act, 2026.
Robian Williams has that story.
Environmental Protection Levy Act, 2026, will facilitate an increase in the tax to raise about $3.6-billion.
But the increase has been on hold since May, because the legislation needed to put it into effect has only just been passed.
Opposition Senator, Ramon Small-Ferguson, tore into the government for implementing measures that he believes will only damage an already weakened economy.
But, he further criticised the government for failing to implement these measures on time.
However, Government Senator, Keith Duncan, countered.
He argues that the country’s economic recovery by any objective measure is well ahead of what was previously projected.
But Opposition Senator, Cleveland Tomlinson says the tax will only result in higher prices for the Jamaican people.
And, Government Senator, Marlon Morgan, says unlike the PNP administration that preceded it, the current Holness Administration does not revel in the prospect of levying new taxes.
Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Levy Act, 2026, did not pass in the Senate without issue.
According to Government Senator, Dr. Dana Morris Dixon, who brought the legislation through all it stages, the bill had to be withdrawn due to a technical error.
The debate had to be suspended and restarted.
However, both Opposition and Government Senators agreed to expedite the process without contest.
But, Opposition Senator, Professor Floyd Morris, called for greater care in the future.
Floyd Morris, Opposition Senator.
