The Tobago Assembly Legislature, Scarborough. PHOTO BY JEFF K MAYERS -
Economist Anslem Richards believes the Tobago Island Administration Bill being reviewed by the Joint Select Committee (JSC) before its debate in Parliament, defeats the purpose of Tobago autonomy. He believes solely Tobago should debate and shape the bill before making it law.
Richards said the Tobago Self-Government Bill and the Tobago Island Administration Bill are designed to frustrate the island’s decades-long fight for self-government.
The bills are meant to give the island greater autonomy in managing its affairs.
The Joint Select Committee (JSC), which reviewed both pieces of legislation, recently held three public consultations to gauge feedback, two in Tobago and one in Trinidad.
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PDP deputy: Tobago unified against draft autonomy bill
3 Hrs Ago
PDP deputy leader Farley Augustine, left, speaks to supporters outside the Assembly Legislature in Scarborough in January. PHOTO BY JEFF K MAYERS -
The Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) intends to continue lobbying for the defining of Tobago’s maritime boundaries and the island’s control over its waters.
At a virtual news conference on Thursday, Augustine said that his team will put its position in writing to the Joint Select Committee, which has been seeking feedback on the draft Tobago Self-Government Bill 2020 and the Tobago Island Administration Bill 2021.
He recalled that on Wednesday, the PDP hosted its own consultation on the bill and approximately 200 people participated via Zoom and Facebook links.
(The Center Square) â The Michigan House Wednesday approved a plan to bolster government accountability by protecting state employees who blow the whistle on potential problems and waste of taxpayer money within their departments.
House Bill (HB) 4064 â approved by an 87-21 bipartisan vote â seeks to create an official State Employee Ombudsman to receive and refer whistleblower complaints to appropriate administrative or law enforcement authorities while protecting the identity of state employees submitting the complaints. The ombudsman would use discretion in deciding whether or not to investigate every complaint.
âThis reform received broad support from Republicans and Democrats alike because itâs the right thing to do,â Rep. Annette Glenn, R-Midland, said in a statement. âThis is about making state government better and more accountable to the people who pay for it and rely on its services.
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