Topic: Legislative Assembly
Premier McLaughlin to lead 13-member coalition government
A coalition of 13 elected members of the Cayman Islands Legislative Assembly was sworn in Wednesday in downtown George Town, bringing an end to the political scramble that followed the territory’s May 24 general election.
EDITORIAL – Press freedom: Taking a stand, not a ‘pass’
Any attempt by government bureaucrats to regulate, influence or in any way interfere with our lawful news-gathering mission will be met with polite, but firm, rejection.
UPDATED: Few surprises as government sworn in
A 13-member government was sworn in by Cayman Islands Governor Helen Kilpatrick Wednesday morning in a Legislative Assembly ceremony.
Prayer for Cayman leaders
Amid the efforts to form a new government over the weekend as various coalitions rose and fell, some turned to prayer for support and guidance.
EDITORIAL – ‘Premier for a Day’: Who’s Next?
Nothing will be certain until the majority of the Legislative Assembly arrives at a final decision and the governor makes her official appointments.
EARLIER: McLaughlin, Bush announced agreement to form new government
A diverse mix of political leaders has been chosen to form the next Cayman Islands government under Premier Alden McLaughlin, who will be serving his second term in that position.
Pre-election message: Supervisor of Elections Wesley Howell
The Elections Office is a mostly standalone agency of the Cayman Islands Government, which is committed to promoting democracy through ensuring a fair electoral process.
‘One man, one vote’: Our new system
Cayman’s first elections with single-member constituencies take place May 24, a new system that has been alternately praised and disparaged through the years.
Minister: Fuel price controls ‘a last resort’
The Cayman Islands will only implement direct price controls over petroleum suppliers as “a last resort,” outgoing Planning Minister Kurt Tibbetts said in a statement released Tuesday. Mr. Tibbetts told the Legislative Assembly earlier that the government may eventually enact controls over fuel prices only if the public utilities regulator, OfReg, determines that competition in the Cayman Islands market has failed.
37 bills approved in LA’s final session
The final meeting of the 2013-2017 Legislative Assembly may ultimately be remembered for its failure to approve regulatory changes to the Cayman Islands legal profession, but lawmakers approved more than three dozen new laws or changes to existing legislation.
61 of 63 candidates file interests by deadline
The vast majority of the candidates for election to the Legislative Assembly filed their register of interest forms by the March 29 deadline, according to a review done Thursday by the Cayman Compass.
Legal concerns raised over CCTV cameras, drone use
The potential for legal liability and human rights violations apparently forced the Cayman Islands government’s hand on the approval of a Data Protection Bill in the waning hours of its last Legislative Assembly meeting.
Election: Tibbetts, Connolly out, Eden back in
One long Cayman Islands political career came to an end Monday night, while another lengthy one continued and a fledgling career was seemingly cut short, as candidate nomination day loomed for general election candidates.
EDITORIAL – Kurt Tibbetts retires: Saluting a titan of Cayman politics
A long and colorful chapter in the history of Cayman Islands politics is ending. George Town lawmaker Darwin Kurt Tibbetts is retiring from the Legislative Assembly.
Government drops lawyers bill at last minute
Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin announced late Monday afternoon that his Progressives-led government was abandoning efforts to pass a version of the controversial Legal Practitioners Bill during the current term, which ends Tuesday.
Lawyers bill faces more delays as opposition reignites
Concerned that government may walk back its earlier agreement on changes to the controversial Legal Practitioners Bill, members of the independent opposition on Friday fired a new salvo in the months-long battle over the legislation.
Former PPM leader’s brother on opposition party team
The opposition Democratic Party will field at least 10 party candidates, in addition to supporting some independents for the upcoming election. One of those CDP candidates is Denniston Tibbetts, the older brother of Progressives party founder and former leader, Kurt Tibbetts.
Millions given to cover UCCI losses, loans
The Cayman Islands government has spent more than $500,000 since 2014 to cover budget shortfalls at the University College of the Cayman Islands which were partly blamed on declining enrollment and “static” school fees.
Lawyers bill changes set for Friday
Controversial changes to the law that governs the operation of Cayman Islands lawyers and law firms are expected to be reviewed by the Assembly on Friday. Premier Alden McLaughlin said late Wednesday that the government had filed a number of proposed amendments to the plan.
Finance minister warns against imposing petrol price controls
Warning that government overreach can “cause more harm than good” in certain instances, Cayman Islands Finance Minister Marco Archer warned opposition MLAs against the rush to implement fuel price controls in the local petroleum market.
Government removes 114 from seamen/veterans health coverage
The Cayman Islands government took 114 people out of the healthcare coverage plan for retired veterans and seamen during the last budget year. Finance Minister Marco Archer told the Legislative Assembly on Monday that 22 of those beneficiaries had died.
How did lawmakers pass the wrong bill?
It was dismaying to read in your edition of Friday, March 19, that, “it appears lawmakers approved an incorrect, outdated version of the Non-Profit Organisations Bill, 2016, during a Legislative Assembly meeting last fall.”
Government hit with $24 million in unexpected added costs
The Cayman Islands government was required to spend an extra $24 million in largely unanticipated, supplementary costs over the past two fiscal years.The expenses were detailed by Finance Minister Marco Archer in a statement to the Legislative Assembly Friday.
Bill seeks fuel sector regulation; no immediate price controls
The Cayman Islands may eventually enact control over petrol prices, but only if the government finds no evidence of competition in the market, Planning Minister Kurt Tibbetts said Monday.
Bush: Stop blaming party system
McKeeva Bush criticized repeated attacks on the territory’s two-party political system Friday, warning that individuals or groups outside the Legislative Assembly could end up controlling the government following the May 24 general election, rather than the candidates voters choose.
Legislature passed wrong bill, says governor
A legislative mishap has imperiled the enactment of a law regulating nonprofit organizations in the Cayman Islands, legislation considered necessary as the government prepares for an international review of its money laundering and terrorist financing protections later this year.
Gov’t schools hire 40 new teachers
Dozens of new specialist teachers and teaching assistants have been hired for Cayman Islands public schools and about 10 more are due to be hired, Education Minister Tara Rivers told the Legislative Assembly Friday.
Lawmakers try again on lawyers bill compromise
For the second time this week, Cayman Islands lawmakers suspended the public meeting of the Legislative Assembly to commence a private parliamentary session in attempts to “reach consensus” on the Legal Practitioners Bill.
Data Protection Bill revival surprises lawmakers
Another oft-debated and much-maligned proposal – the Data Protection Bill – suddenly appeared before Cayman Islands lawmakers Wednesday, in the midst of their ongoing debate over the controversial Legal Practitioners Bill. The data legislation was put before the Legislative Assembly last April and later withdrawn.
Politicians squabble over who drafted Legal Practitioners Bill
Cayman Islands politicians argued Wednesday over who penned the draft of the controversial Legal Practitioners Bill, as the clock continued to tick on the final meeting of the current parliament.
EDITORIAL – Legal Practitioners Bill: One complex law (plus 200 amendments)
“When you have the votes, vote. When you don’t have the votes, talk.”That’s a political axiom which applies neatly to the situation facing Cayman Islands legislators in relation to the Legal Practitioners Bill.
Lawyers bill compromise flops; debate continues
A Cayman Islands government minister signaled Tuesday that some changes to a controversial proposal seeking to further regulate the practice of law in the islands would have to be made before the bill is approved.
Cayman observes Commonwealth Day
The Cayman Islands marked Commonwealth Day with a flag-raising ceremony at the Government Administration Building and a sitting of the Youth Parliament at the Legislative Assembly on Monday.
Parliamentary privilege
Parliamentary privilege — Today's editorial cartoon
Lawyers bill review to continue in private
Cayman Islands Legislative Assembly members will meet privately starting Monday afternoon in attempts to reach a compromise on the much-debated controversial Legal Practitioners Bill. The “in-camera” session of the House is set to start at 3 p.m.
McLaughlin’s radio comments led to Syed trial delays
Premier Alden McLaughlin and broadcaster Hurley’s Media were publicly admonished Thursday over a radio interview that threatened to derail the trial of Hassan Syed before it reached the jury.
North Side, East End police stations to house officers full-time
Plans are under way for renovations that will allow police officers to reside full-time at the now-vacant police substations in East End and North Side districts, the Cayman Islands Legislative Assembly heard Thursday.
Minister: Cayman cannot ‘dictate’ global finance rules
There is no significant evidence of Cayman-established law firms moving large numbers of staff overseas to the detriment of their local operations, Financial Services Minister Wayne Panton said Wednesday during a LA debate on the controversial Legal Practitioners Bill.
MLAs demand answers over prisons debacle
Cayman Islands opposition lawmakers have asked that Prisons Director Neil Lavis and the acting chief officer of the Ministry of Home Affairs appear before the Legislative Assembly next week to answer questions about a burgeoning scandal in the prisons service.
EDITORIAL – The use, misuse – and abuse – of parliamentary privilege
The courts cannot hold lawmakers accountable for what they say in the Legislative Assembly. The only checks on lawmakers’ actions within parliament are the consequences of voters’ actions within the polling stations.
Gov’t pushes Legal Practitioners Bill forward
In a surprise move Wednesday afternoon, the Cayman Islands Legislative Assembly began debate on the latest draft of the Legal Practitioners Bill.
Police ‘not able to substantiate’ MLAs’ claim they were followed
The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service has not been able to substantiate claims that private investigators have been following opposition members of the Legislative Assembly.
Legislature may go until last day
Government is running out of time to consider a long list of potential laws, including the Legal Practitioners Bill, the elimination of independent FOI and complaints commissioner’s offices and the establishment of local fuel market regulations, as lawmakers face the final three weeks of their current term.
Cayman Finance defends law firms, says MLAs threaten financial sector
Cayman Finance, the primary organization representing the financial services industry in the Cayman Islands, has raised concerns that allegations from independent legislators of potentially criminal wrongdoing by the island’s law firms could do significant damage to the territory’s core industry.
50 years ago: Constitution proposals presented to district
“At a public meeting in the Town Hall, George Town, on March 2 Miss Annie H. Bodden and Mr. A.B. Bush outlined to the constituents of George Town the proposals agreed upon by the majority of elected members of the Legislative Assembly for an advance in constitutional status for Cayman ."
EDITORIAL – ‘We are being followed’: MLAs must give evidence for bizarre claims
A small group of Cayman Islands lawmakers have broadcast allegations that local law firms have hired private investigators to follow them because of their opposition to the Legal Practitioners Bill, which is now under consideration in the Legislative Assembly.
Legislators consider older persons policy
An older persons policy before the Legislative Assembly outlines a vision for legal protections and community infrastructure that would support Cayman Islands residents over age 65.
Law Society slams ‘damaging speculation’
The Cayman Islands Law Society has called for an end to “damaging speculation” from independent politicians who claimed this week they believed local law firms had hired private investigators to follow them.
EDITORIAL – Elections 2017: Calling all candidates
The Cayman Compass is extending a cordial invitation to all Legislative Assembly candidates to visit the Compass Centre on Shedden Road to meet with our journalists starting this Monday, March 6.
Beneficial ownership registry approved
The Legislative Assembly passed three bills Monday that will enable the creation of a searchable, corporate ownership registry, moving the Cayman Islands closer to compliance with a U.K. agreement established in April.
Firefighters may aid search and rescue
Firefighters on Jet Skis could be used to supplement search and rescue efforts around the Cayman Islands following recommendations in a new report. The police Joint Marine Unit is understaffed and underresourced, with a high number of vessels in a “state of disrepair or out of service.”
MLAs: Law firms owe millions in fees
Opposition members of the Legislative Assembly alleged Monday that Cayman Islands law firms have denied the nation $50 million in fees over the past decade by averting local licensing.
EDITORIAL – The reckless rhetoric of Arden and Winston’s private members’ motion
Clad in the mantle of protectionism of Caymanians, the private members’ motion by MLAs Arden McLean and Winston Connolly accuses our country’s largest law firms of conspiracy and criminality. It is a broadside assault on the financial services sector, economy and community of the Cayman Islands.
MLAs urge prosecution of partners of Cayman’s major law firms
Unnamed Cayman Islands law firms are accused of “intentionally ignoring and deliberately circumventing” both the Legal Practitioners Law and Immigration Law, in a private members’ motion filed with the Legislative Assembly.
Health services, turtle farm report losses
The Cayman Islands public health authority, as well as the islands’ most popular land-based tourist attraction, reported financial losses to the Legislative Assembly in reports made public Wednesday.
EDITORIAL – In the Assembly: Exercise caution on police cautions
Imagine the following scenario: You are walking down the street with $4,900 in a shopping bag, on your way to buy a used car. A man accosts you and, unceremoniously, punches you in the face. You stagger back, and the bag goes flying.
EDITORIAL – The Progressives meet in the LA for a ‘cram session’
You know the scenario: It’s 4 o’clock in the morning, and there’s one lonely student in the school library, his furrowed brow visible in the faint glow of his computer monitor. He is concentrating furiously, surrounded by stacks of flash cards, towers of textbooks and reams of scribbled-on note pads.
John McLean seeks to reclaim ‘dad’s’ seat
East End’s John McLean Jr. is hoping the third time is the charm in his efforts to win the Legislative Assembly seat that once belonged to his father. Mr. McLean announced his candidacy this week, becoming the third person to enter the East End constituency race.
20 bills set for final legislative meeting
The final Legislative Assembly meeting of the Progressives-led government’s term in office will consider about 20 pieces of legislation covering issues, including public lands, crime and punishment, financial services and the protection of older residents.
Trade and business changes remove ‘inconvenience’
A few aspects of Cayman’s licensing regime for local businesses will be changed during the next Legislative Assembly meeting, partially in response to concerns expressed by the private sector.
Minister: No new draft of lawyers bill
Although the Cayman Islands government still intends to pass a version of the controversial Legal Practitioners Bill, it will not propose entirely rewritten legislation for this month’s Legislative Assembly meeting.
Ghost of CarePay haunts collections
The lack of real-time electronic verification of and authorization for health insurance coverage in the Cayman Islands is driving up costs and “the frustration level” for everyone involved, lawmakers heard Monday afternoon.
AG review slams public sector finances with ‘adverse’ opinion
For the second consecutive year, the Cayman Islands government’s attempt to complete an audit of public sector finances has received a failing grade from the auditor general’s office.
Beneficial ownership, lawyers’ rules up for debate
Long-awaited, controversial changes that will have a profound impact on the Cayman Islands financial services industry will be on the agenda next month in what is likely to be the final Legislative Assembly meeting of the current Progressives-led coalition government.
Next battle brews in lawyers bill debate
Progressives-led administration officials have confirmed the government still intends to bring a revised draft of the Legal Practitioners Bill to the Legislative Assembly at its next meeting.
Gov’t to report budget figures every 3 months
The Cayman Islands government will begin publicly reporting how much money it earns and how much it spends every three months, beginning in January 2018.
Cayman seeks early repayment of debts
The Cayman Islands will receive permission to pay off $8 million to $12 million of its national debt ahead of schedule if changes proposed to the government’s financial management law are approved next month.
Second public consultation period on beneficial ownership
Government has announced the start of a second public consultation period for the planned exchange of beneficial ownership information with foreign law enforcement and tax authorities through a centralized platform.
Pension law allows double-dip for employees aged over 60
Older workers in the Cayman Islands private sector will still be eligible to access their pension funds when they reach age 60 under the newly amended National Pensions Law, whether they have actually retired or not.
Pension law changes to come into effect in January
With the New Year comes a raft of changes to Cayman’s retirement system, starting Jan. 1 with the increase of the retirement age from 60 to 65. The first set of changes will also increase the salary maximum so employers will have to contribute to pensions on up to $87,000 worth in salary.
Gov’t to pay 17% toward pensions
Cayman Cabinet members have approved a $16 million additional annual payment toward the “funding deficiency” in the main civil service employees’ retirement plan, to be made in monthly installments for the forseeable future.
EDITORIAL – Time for Cayman to get serious on animal issues
If there is any hope of tackling Cayman’s ubiquitous problems with animals, someone with power, probably in the Legislative Assembly, must take definitive command of the situation. It may not be a glamorous assignment, but it is an essential one for a problem that is getting increasingly worse.
