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Parliament, ministries and policy

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Sint Maarten

GovernmentIn brieflast month

Verde SXM suspends waste acceptance at Grandes Cayes

Verde SXM suspended acceptance of recyclable packaging, green waste and sludge at Grandes Cayes on Wednesday 30 September.

Green hills and cactus-covered slopes surround a dark salt pond beside a turquoise bay.

GovernmentOfficiallast month

Government says work-death families may qualify for SZV support

Government said on Tuesday 29 September that Wayne Drummond’s family will get help accessing information on possible SZV benefits.

GovernmentIn brieflast month

Netherlands preparing Kingdom position for UN biodiversity conference in Armenia

The Netherlands is preparing a Kingdom position for COP17 in Yerevan, Armenia, from 19 to 30 October 2026.

An ornate sandstone gateway with a coat of arms between brick buildings, facing an empty cobbled square.

GovernmentIn brieflast month

Irion seeks higher minimum wage in 2027 budget debate

MP Ardwell Irion said annual minimum-wage adjustments no longer keep pace with household costs and called for business reforms alongside an increase.

An empty shopping cart with orange handles standing on a concrete floor between yellow painted lines.

GovernmentIn brieflast month

Ottley raises ambulance staffing concerns in 2027 budget debate

MP Omar Ottley told Parliament on Tuesday 29 September that staffing shortages could leave no ambulance available in an emergency.

The Sint Maarten Red Cross office, a white building with red shutters and a red cross on the path.

GovernmentOfficiallast month

Parliament to resume 2027 budget meeting on 30 September

Parliament says its Central Committee will reconvene in Philipsburg at 14:00 AST to receive ministers’ answers on the 2027 budget draft.

The Parliament of Sint Maarten building in Philipsburg, its name in raised letters beneath the Dutch and Sint Maarten flags.

GovernmentIn brieflast month

Irion questions government support for official tourism marketing

MP Ardwell Irion, speaking during Parliament’s 2027 budget debate on Tuesday 29 September, questioned resources for the Tourism Bureau’s digital marketing.

The colourful 'Welcome to St. Maarten' sign above a bed of red flowers at the Philipsburg cruise facility.

GovernmentIn brieflast month

Wescot-Williams raises capital budget and reporting questions in 2027 debate

MP Sarah Wescot-Williams questioned capital-project execution, financing and financial reporting during the 2027 budget debate.

Rows of shopping trolleys parked under a blue shelter in an empty car park.

GovernmentIn brieflast month

De Weever seeks clearer disclosure of 30-year ENNIA obligation

MP Ludmila de Weever asked Government to explain ENNIA figures and disclose St. Maarten’s long-term financial exposure.

A grey naval support ship marked A833 is moored at a pier below a green hill.

GovernmentIn brieflast month

Government says 315,206 public records have been digitised

Government says the scanning phase of its public-records project is complete, with 315,206 archived records converted to digital files.

Close-up of a black fountain pen nib with an engraved silver band, casting a sharp shadow on a white surface.

GovernmentIn brieflast month

Roseburg proposes legislative lawyer pool for priority revenue laws

MP Sjamira Roseburg proposed a temporary pool of four to six legislative lawyers during 2027 budget talks on Monday 28 September.

A row of stacked shopping carts with red and yellow plastic baskets.

GovernmentIn brieflast month

Lacroes floats Causeway Bridge toll during 2027 Budget debate

UP MP Francisco Lacroes suggested a small Causeway Bridge toll during Parliament’s 2027 Budget discussion on Monday 28 September.

A wooden gavel lying on a long pale wooden meeting table with empty chairs behind it.

GovernmentOfficiallast month

Connor leads Sint Maarten delegation to PAHO Directing Council

Government says Minister Claret Connor is leading a Sint Maarten delegation at PAHO’s 63rd Directing Council in Washington, D.C.

GovernmentIn brieflast month

Dutch government puts BES electricity rate matching above €36 million a year

The Dutch government says cutting variable electricity rates on Bonaire, Statia and Saba to the European Netherlands level would need more than €36 million each year.

A white warning sign with red lightning arrows reads high voltage, danger of death, in Dutch and Papiamentu.

GovernmentIn brieflast month

Eman to transfer AVP leadership to Cicilia on 4 October

Prime Minister Mike Eman is set to transfer Aruban People’s Party leadership to Minister Wendrick Cicilia on Sunday 4 October.

A red two-storey colonial building with white shutters, a white balcony and a red tile roof behind a red wall.

GovernmentIn brieflast month

Government considers vehicle-import moratorium as traffic measure

Government is considering a temporary vehicle-import moratorium, but Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten said an assessment is needed first.

Cars queue along Back Street in Philipsburg.

GovernmentIn brieflast month

Gumbs urges ministries to improve collections and cut spending

Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs told Parliament ministries should collect revenue due, improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary spending.

An ornate brass two-pan balance scale with two iron weights beside it on a white background.

GovernmentIn brieflast month

Gumbs says ministry structures have not had comprehensive review since 2010

Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs told Parliament that government capacity has not kept pace with population growth and demand for services.

An open wooden drawer of index cards in a bank of filing drawers, with bookshelves behind.

GovernmentIn brieflast month

Senate election details show Gibbs and Damaseau alone in runoff

Further details of Daniel Gibbs’ Senate election show Valérie Damaseau led the first round before Gibbs gained seven votes in the runoff.

A row of voting booths closed by red, white and blue striped curtains.

GovernmentIn brieflast month

MPs question revenue, vacancies and GEBE in 2027 budget debate

MPs pressed Government on revenue, staffing and public services as Central Committee debate on the 2027 budget began Monday 28 September.

GEBE's power plant on the coast, seen from the green hills above, with the sea beyond.

GovernmentIn brieflast month

Arrindell, Dutch state secretary discuss digital cooperation

Gracita R. Arrindell and Dutch State Secretary Willemijn Aerdts held an introductory meeting on digital and economic cooperation.

A spinning router bit carves a stepped groove into a board, throwing up sawdust.

GovernmentIn brieflast month

Survey figures put St. Maarten adult obesity at nearly 44%

Figures attributed to St. Maarten’s 2023-2024 PAHO/WHO STEPS Survey put adult overweight prevalence at 73.6%.

A white colonial courthouse with a green-trimmed cupola and clock stands between tall royal palms under a deep blue sky.

GovernmentIn brieflast month

Arrindell calls for right of return to apply to all displaced peoples

Rhoda Rebecca Arrindell told a UN conference on Monday 28 September that decolonisation remains an unfinished political obligation.

A circular stone mosaic map of the island set into a paved promenade.

GovernmentIn brieflast month

Government had not publicly responded to Minister Plenipotentiary audit by 28 September

Government had not publicly responded by Monday 28 September to Audit Chamber findings on the Minister Plenipotentiary Cabinet.

A small corner tower and brick buildings lit at dusk and reflected in a pond, with bare trees and office towers behind.

GovernmentIn brieflast month

UN analysis cites public-service skills gaps and ministry coordination problems

A UN analysis says 18% of Sint Maarten’s roughly 2,000 public servants have advanced tertiary qualifications.

Two white doors in a blue-and-cream wall are marked Ladies and Men with silhouette signs.

GovernmentIn brieflast month

UN analysis puts St. Maarten poverty rate at 22%

A United Nations analysis estimates 22% of St. Maarten’s population lives below the national poverty line amid uneven income distribution.

Close-up of an older person's hand resting over a younger person's hand.

GovernmentIn brieflast month

Lewis named chair of Parliament’s Justice Committee

MP Lyndon Lewis chairs Parliament’s Justice Committee, with Ludmila de Weever and Sjamira Roseburg taking vice-chair posts.

Wooden ballot boxes sit on a table in front of curtained voting booths in an empty room.

GovernmentIn brieflast month

Draft 2027 budget projects Cg 670 million in revenue and Cg 662 million in spending

Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs' draft 2027 budget projects Cg 670 million in revenue and Cg 662 million in spending, with Parliament to scrutinise it.

The Parliament of Sint Maarten building beside the white wooden Courthouse in Philipsburg.

GovernmentIn brieflast month

Parliament schedules budget 2027 meeting for 28 September

Parliament’s Central Committee is scheduled to consider the draft 2027 national budget on Monday 28 September in Philipsburg.

GovernmentIn brieflast month

Connor joins Kingdom delegation for UN meeting on climate and small-island goals

Minister Claret Connor joined a Kingdom delegation meeting at UN Headquarters that covered climate and small-island development issues.

An empty great hall with a timber roof, round chandeliers, a long red carpet and a raised dais at the far end.