Topic: Roy McTaggart
Opposition calls for government to waive fuel import duty
Opposition member Roy McTaggart has filed a private member's motion, calling on government to temporarily waive import duty on fuel, as prices at gas pumps across the islands rise.
Opposition PPM takes aim at ‘rushed’ fee increases
Cayman's government rushed the introduction of controversial revenue-raising budget measures, the opposition People's Progressive Movement has claimed
Coalition government sets out its plans ahead of November budget
Premier André Ebanks introduced the first Strategic Policy Statement (SPS) of his coalition government in Parliament on Friday, 17 Oct., saying it set out the vision of the administration towards a 'stronger, fairer and braver country'.
PPM fights back on finances and immigration
Former finance minister Roy McTaggart has dismissed suggestions that the PPM is to blame for the state of the country’s finances and urged his rivals to accept responsibility and 'take the heat'.
George Town East candidates debate flooding, erosion, finances
In the final Chamber of Commerce constituency debate before the election on 30 April, it was the turn of the candidates for George Town East.
Broken South Sound boardwalk raises safety concerns
Residents along South Sound Road are calling for immediate repairs to the area's boardwalk, parts of which have been rendered unsafe since Hurricane Beryl passed in early July.
Hew outlines hopes to lead Progressives back to government
In the first kick-off of Cayman's election season Joey Hew made his debut as the newly anointed Progressives Leader on Saturday night vowing to deliver an administration that will offer the unity and stability the country needs.
Joey Hew announced as new Progressives leader for next election
Progressives leader Roy McTaggart will be handing over the reins to his deputy Joey Hew, who will lead the party into the next election.
Wheels in motion for Cayman’s long-awaited transportation plan
While Transport Minister Jay Ebanks says a "comprehensive plan" for public transportation is set to be presented in the form of a green paper, however it is unclear when this document will be released to the public.
Opposition: ‘We were not forming a new government’
The Opposition has said it was “in no way shape or form” attempting to form a new government over the past weekend after Dwayne Seymour crossed the floor in the House of Parliament.
Opposition: Lower stayover numbers mean $90M less spent by tourists
Opposition leader Roy McTaggart says a 16% drop in stayover visitors in Cayman, compared to 2019, has led to $90 million fewer tourism dollars being spent locally.
Premier promises ‘zero tolerance approach’ amid crime surge
Police and the government are taking a "zero-tolerance approach" to the recent surge in robberies and violent crimes, according to Premier Wanye Panton.
Opposition leader: Now is the time to act on crime
Progressives party leader Roy McTaggart has demanded action be taken to control rising levels of serious crime in the Cayman Islands.
Opposition seeks stipend boost for seafarers and veterans
Opposition leader Roy McTaggart has asked the government to increase stipends for former seafarers and military veterans in its next budget.
MPs support motion to increase pension-withdrawal limits
Local legislators have unanimously voted for government to consider increasing existing withdrawal limits for Caymanians to be able to access more money from their pension funds to pay towards mortgage or land loans.
Opposition questions PACT’s delivery on past government spending plan
Premier Wayne Panton and his government have been unable to deliver what they promised over the past two years, Roy McTaggart told Parliament on Wednesday, 26 April.
Opposition to press gov’t on ReGen project status
When Parliament resumes sittings next week, government will face a barrage of Opposition questions, the most pressing being the status of the ReGen project and its financial close.
Opposition renews calls for limit on used-car imports
Leader of the Opposition Roy McTaggart has submitted a private member's motion to Parliament requesting government implement recommendations from a 2020 report that called for imposing limits on the number of cars imported into Cayman.
Parliament expected to consider national ID card bill in December
Legislation to enable the establishment of a national identity card system is expected to be debated by members of Parliament in December.
Opposition: Lifting of restrictions ‘reasonable first step’
Leader of the Opposition Roy McTaggart has welcomed the upcoming lifting of the mask mandate and pre-arrival COVID testing, but is calling on government to deliver a timeline on plans to remove remaining restrictions, including a ban on unvaccinated tourists.
Condolences offered for COVID-19 patient who died in hospital
Governor Martyn Roper, Premier Wayne Panton and Opposition Leader, Roy McTaggart, have all offered condolences to the family of 73 year-old man who tested positive for COVID-19 but died due to an undisclosed, underlying illness.
‘Freedom of choice’ demonstrations held as gov’t debates vaccine mandates
Nearly 200 people gathered outside Parliament Monday to demonstrate against a pair of bills debated by parliamentarians Monday that would require COVID-19 vaccinations for non-Caymanians.
Opposition continues calls for cooperation despite chilly response
Opposition legislators have renewed their offer of assistance to Premier Wayne Panton and his administration as Cayman navigates the reemergence of COVID-19.
Opposition makes U-turn on reopening, hits out at PACT plan
Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart has reversed his opinion on reopening Cayman’s borders, claiming conditions had changed.
Financial secretary clears up ‘row’ over government deficit
Financial secretary Kenneth Jefferson explained the $50 million gap between the 2020 budget deficit estimates of the former and the new government in Public Accounts Committee on Tuesday.
First Public Accounts Committee hearing postponed
The first hearing of the new Public Accounts Committee has been deferred for one week to allow Ministry of Finance staff to complete their work on the PACT government's inaugural strategic policy statement, PAC chairman Roy McTaggart has said.
McTaggart heads up Public Accounts Committee
Leader of the Opposition Roy McTaggart has been named chairman of the Public Accounts Committee.
Lawmakers recount gruelling campaign, urge ‘country first’
Cayman's new government, led by Premier Wayne Panton, has called for a 'country first' approach as the island's 19 elected MPs leave what has been a gruelling political contest behind.
McTaggart calls for calm as negotiations continue
Progressives leader Roy McTaggart has said talks to form a government are still very much on as he continues to negotiate with independent members.
Where they stand: The status of negotiations
By Friday evening, neither Roy McTaggart's Progressives-led alliance nor Wayne Panton's coalition of independents had a clear majority of 10 MP-elects necessary to form a new government.
The issue explained: The race to be premier
When is the race to form a government finalised? We answer some of the key questions surrounding how a government is formed and Premier appointed.
Panton, Saunders among contenders in leadership race
Wayne Panton and Chris Saunders have emerged as two of the most likely leaders of a coalition of independent candidates if government is defeated at the polls next week.
Crosstalk debate: George Town East candidates face off
Candidates for George Town East, Roy McTaggart, Emily DeCou, Frank McField, Christina Hislop Rowlandson, and Richard Bernard join Crosstalk host Barrie Quappe to debate the issues affecting their district.
Podcast: Top Stories 16 August
Compass Editor Kevin Morales shares the week's top headlines from the Cayman Islands. First, cruise tourism will not return to Cayman until 2021. Then, the Pan-American Health Organization changes Cayman’s COVID-19 transmission level from ‘sporadic’ to ‘no cases’.
Premier ‘disillusioned’ as bill ends in defeat
The Domestic Partnership Bill’s defeat in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday may have shown a divided legislature, but Finance Minister Roy McTaggart said that is where the division ends.
Water service restored throughout island
Water service has been restored to all customers across Grand Cayman.
New $1 note to begin circulation
Circulation of a new commemorative Cayman Islands $1 note is set to begin this week.
Government presents record-size budget
Finance Minister Roy McTaggart presented a two-year budget on Friday that will exceed $1.6 billion in government revenue and not require new debt nor impose new taxes and fees on the public.
Government seeks $153 million loan for bullet bond pay-off
Government is turning to local banks with the hope of securing a $153 million loan to help pay off its $261 million bullet bond which is due to be repaid in full in November this year.
Government maintains fiscal surplus
Government continued to raise higher than expected revenues in the second quarter of 2019, which produced a 65% larger than budgeted surplus for the public sector.
Diamond’s Edge holds grand opening
A new luxury development, Diamond’s Edge, formally opened its gates this month with an event at a marquee on site at the shores of North Sound.
Legislators approve $1.6 million for housing repairs
The government has approved more than $1.6 million in additional funding for its Housing Repairs Assistance Programme.
Economic Forum to provide update on key policies
The Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Ministry of Finance & Economic Development will host the 2019 Chamber of Commerce Economic Forum at the Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa on Friday, 31 May.
Government’s first quarter budget surplus larger than expected
The public sector’s $216.8 million budget surplus in the first quarter of 2019 was $44.4 million higher than estimated, the Ministry of Finance said on Friday.
EDITORIAL – Funding shortfall is cause for grave concern, if not alarm
If anything, we would take comfort in seeing our elected officials express a bit of alarm when discussing these issues, if only to signal that they understand the gravity of the situation.
Report: Pension liabilities to cost $368 million over 20 years
A valuation report on the territory’s public pensions calls for government to spend more than $368 million over the next 20 years – more than $18.4 million annually – to address the pensions’ combined funding shortfall of $197.2 million.
EDITORIAL – Are OfReg’s troubles ‘growing pains’ or something more?
Legislators’ narrow vote to provide supplementary funding for the Utilities Regulation and Competition Office this month should be a wake-up call for Cayman’s troubled super-regulator.
Strategic Policy Statement: Budget surpluses, no new taxes, finance minister says
Cayman’s economy will fare well, unemployment will be below 4%, there will be significant budget surpluses and no new fees or taxes for consumers and businesses from 2020 to 2022. At least, that is the view of government’s Strategic Policy Statement.
Legislators approve $92 million in additional spending for 2019
Government will spend roughly an additional $92 million this year after lawmakers approved a raft of extra expenditures during three days of Finance Committee hearings that started Friday and wrapped up Tuesday.
Same-sex marriage: What your representative said on the issue
Cayman Islands legislators unanimously backed a private members’ motion last week supporting government to appeal the decision by the chief justice that legalised same-sex marriage to the “full extent of the appeals process”.
Government to outline long-term budget plans
Government will present the broad strokes of its budget plan for 2020 and 2021 during the next session of the Legislative Assembly.
Grand Cayman import duty break extended again
The government will extend its reduced 15 percent import duty on building materials imported to Grand Cayman through Dec. 31, 2019.
Government reports significant fiscal surplus
The Cayman Islands government has taken in more money than budgeted in the first nine months of 2018. The unaudited financial results for the public sector for the first three quarters show an overall surplus of $183.3 million, almost double the $92.6 million surplus budgeted for this point of the year.
Finance minister lauds Cayman’s credit rating
Minister of Finance Roy McTaggart said the latest government credit rating of the Cayman Islands reflected “confidence in our country’s economic, fiscal and institutional strengths,” when he presented the assessment by rating agency Moody’s in the Legislative Assembly last week.
Women left out of last year’s employment growth
Total employment in Cayman grew last year, but the number of women with jobs declined by some 800 people, leading to the female unemployment rate rising from 3.5 percent in 2016 to 5.5 percent in 2017.
Minister’s careless driving charge dismissed
A charge of careless driving against Finance Minister Roy McTaggart was dismissed in Traffic Court on Thursday after the Crown offered no evidence.
Minister McTaggart’s traffic trial adjourned
The trial of Finance Minister Roy Michael McTaggart on a charge of careless driving did not proceed as scheduled last Thursday. A new trial date of June 14 was set, with a file note that it might not proceed.
Health premium-sharing plan stalls
No deal has been reached on a proposal to make Cayman Islands civil servants pay for a portion of their healthcare premiums, despite claims by the previous government administration that such a move would be imperative in balancing upcoming budgets.
Reduced duty rate helping fuel development
Developers in Cayman are getting an early Christmas present. Government announced on Dec. 1 that it is extending its reduced duty rate on imported building materials for another year.
Two-year budget plan approved
The Cayman Islands Legislative Assembly unanimously approved a two-year spending plan Wednesday that includes nearly $2 billion in anticipated revenues and just more than $1.8 billion in public sector expenditures during 2018 and 2019.
McTaggart, McLaughlin blast opposition’s budget claims
Cayman Islands Finance Minister Roy McTaggart on Monday rejected opposition lawmakers’ claims that a $135 million, two-year projected budget surplus was a “duppy” (ghost) and that his government’s budget did little to help the ordinary Caymanian.
Cayman’s government debt costs $443M over four years
The “cost” of the Cayman Islands government’s debt, what it either has already paid or is due to repay in interest and principal amounts between July 2015 and December 2019, is more than $443 million, according to a review of publicly available budget records.
Government earnings increase with land sales, imports
Higher-than-expected earnings related to land transfers and vehicle/petrol imports boosted the Cayman Islands government’s earnings during the budget period that will end Dec. 31, Finance Minister Roy McTaggart said Friday.
Budget targets crime, education
Plans for an influx of 75 new police officers, a $9.6 million cash injection for education and funding for a series of major infrastructure projects were among the key commitments announced in the Cayman Islands government’s budget presentation Friday.
Education, infrastructure among budget priorities
For Finance Minister Roy McTaggart, work on the government’s budget began almost immediately after the May election.
Construction begins on $80 million Periwinkle housing development
Construction is set to begin Monday on the Periwinkle housing development, a project in Grand Harbour that aims to be Cayman’s first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified community. Developers pegged the cost of the project at $80 million.
Government plans to shed half of public debt in 3 years
The Cayman Islands government plans to pay off more than half of its existing $500 million public debt within the next three years, according to budget documents released last week.
Government’s strategic plans revealed next week
Cayman Islands residents will get their first look at the new national unity government’s long-term plans next week as the Legislative Assembly resumes meeting. The government plans to produce its strategic policy statement for the 2018/19 budget on Wednesday.
Government fiscal policy plans due next month
The Cayman Islands government will announce its budget plans in the midst of hurricane season this year, changing to a two-year budget cycle approved by the previous administration.
Cayman’s finances discussed at London meetings
The Cayman delegation to London met on Thursday with Miriam Sachak, head of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Economics and Financial team, to discuss the island’s finances.
Cayman in Brexit talks with UK
Leaders from 10 British Overseas Territories, including Cayman, met with U.K. ministers in London on Wednesday to discuss Brexit negotiations. All attendees in Wednesday’s meeting were briefed on developments and preparations for talks with the EU.
Premier: Government to focus on ‘social issues’
Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin told a group of U.K. lawmakers Monday that his newly formed unity government would focus on improving social issues during its four-year term, with the British territory now in a “good economic position.”
