Kamla flip-flops on property tax

In 2010 during the general election battle, the UNC-led People’s Partnership (PP) campaigned to “axe the tax.” This became an official policy position when recorded in its election manifesto.

On page 18 of the manifesto of 2010, the third item under the 120 days of immediate action section says, “We will rescind the property tax.” This promise was kept when the PP got into government but it appears to be only valid within the 120 days.

The UNC government in its 2013 Budget document on page 11 then promised to reintroduce the tax under the heading “land and building tax.” The government led by Persad-Bissessar then started to flip-flop, stating that “...a land and building tax regime is a key pillar in all modern tax systems. Recurrent land and building taxes meet all the conditions of a good and fair tax.” It appears to be “no” on the campaign trail to get votes and “yes” in government when they realise it is a good and fair tax.

The reality is that when you put the politics aside the economy is worse off without the property tax or land and building tax. The UNC never reintroduced the land and building tax as promised.

The PNM Government has now put things in place to reintroduce the property tax at a time when the country really needs the income. The flip-flopping now continues as Persad-Bissessar sits as Opposition Leader in 2017 and the campaign starts again to axe the tax.

Persad-Bissessar has gone a step further by ripping up the property tax form on a political platform. She is now telling citizens to disobey the Government and not fill out the forms.

Law-abiding citizens cannot get caught in this political campaign web. The Government needs the income from this good and fair tax as the UNC government described it and therefore let us act responsibly and not follow the flip-flopping in this regard.

RONALD HUGGINS St Joseph