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More House of Assembly today June 6, 2017 as session continues!

The Seventh Sitting of the Second Session of the Third House of Assembly (HoA) will resume today Tuesday June 6, 2017. Photo: VINO
It is unclear if today, June 6, 2017 legislators will take up the Human Rights Commission Bill which enjoyed its first reading on May 29, 2017 in the House of Assembly. Photo: Internet Source
It is unclear if today, June 6, 2017 legislators will take up the Human Rights Commission Bill which enjoyed its first reading on May 29, 2017 in the House of Assembly. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- While the public’s interest in the House of Assembly is at an all-time low, as many residents regard it like former legislator and cultural icon Mrs Eileene L. Parsons OBE when she described it as a "circus", the Seventh Sitting of the Second Session of the Third House of Assembly (HoA) will resume today Tuesday June 6, 2017.

Despite the Legislative Body being held in disrepute by the public, the media, elements of the intellectual class and even some HoA Members because of some legislators' behaviour, it's the highest law making body in the land and deserves respect as an institution, as only a lucky 13 are elected to the House.

The Body last met on Monday May 29, 2017 as legislators debated another tax increase, this time via a Cruise Permit fee hike. It was a day that it seems suddenly Members discovered that locals are shut out of the Yachting sector, with most Elected Members saying that local residents are not benefiting from the lucrative industry, while telling the public that locals are being laid off for expatriate workers.

One Member even advocated during the debate of the Cruising Permit (Amendment) Act 2017 that local boats should no longer enjoy special seasonal rates for cruising permits, and there should be no off season, as the increased fees should apply all year round, according to the Legislator.  

Human Rights Commission maybe?

It is unclear if today the legislators will take up the Human Rights Commission Bill, which enjoyed its first reading on May 11, 2017, as some Members seem to be afraid of this bill and the establishment of the Commission that is intended to open up more rights to the populace, allowing the ordinary person more power to demand fair treatment, dignity and respect from Government, the police, public bodies and making it easier to go to court once their rights have been violated.

The Bill, which has been promised for almost ten years now, was first given way in the 2007 Virgin Islands Constitutional Order and it is now for the Commission to be set up to give effect.

The Seventh Sitting of the Second Session seems to be a very long meeting which was first stated on May 11, 2017, as it’s our newsroom's understanding that a new Sitting will be right behind this one with new Bills and new motions.

The HoA proceedings will be carried live on CBN TV Channel 51 from 10:00 AM.

14 Responses to “More House of Assembly today June 6, 2017 as session continues!”

  • Hmm (06/06/2017, 08:26) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Premier was out of order to tell the Opposition to do their research on the Cruising tax increase when he failed to do his research before he gave the plane our $7mill before they even set up to operate in the BVI.
  • GMO (06/06/2017, 08:54) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    Has the minister of million dollar school walls returned from his trinidad conference on discussing more ways to waste more tax money in dumbing down our children? We still need supplies to work with and toiletries.
    • @ gmo (06/06/2017, 09:11) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
      We know why he loves the grand hyette boys club
    • VEX SEE (06/06/2017, 12:59) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
      @GMO. Everytime I pass that prison wall around our school, I get vex just thinking what all that money could have done for our children education and advancements. Now they there struggling trying to figure out how they plan to pay for the 12th grade building. These white collar thugs need to be held accountable for all these wasted of our hard earned money being taken from us through all kind of make-up taxes. I just wonder what kind of tax they coming with us next?
  • Just saying (06/06/2017, 08:57) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Take out the popcorn yall
  • THEY (06/06/2017, 09:00) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    don't want to share the DATA so who cares? Let them go long...
  • Freedom! (06/06/2017, 09:02) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    More of the same!
  • wize up (06/06/2017, 10:05) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    As the BVI-Turns(13 actors; each one trying-out for the lead-role(which currently staring Dr Smith)...
    • voter (06/06/2017, 23:44) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      inflaming tensions in the BVI thereby jeopardizing our ability to vote the NDP out of office
  • Youths for w (06/06/2017, 10:12) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Strups we will tune in closer to another snap election
  • Truth Doctor (06/06/2017, 11:55) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    What can they do? More Tax. More Money..More bad spending... Give us a Angiogram unit at Peebles... That will be money well spent.. Lives save.. A future to remember.
  • wet (06/06/2017, 23:46) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I voted for this government, support them again in 2015 but they are getting ridiculous


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