PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Lyndon Lewis voiced strong reservations regarding government spending during the first parliamentary meeting of 2026, signaling that his support for the upcoming national budget is far from guaranteed. Addressing the House on Thursday, MP Lewis emphasized the need for fiscal responsibility and scrutinized what he termed irresponsible usage of public funds.
The Member of Parliament extended New Year greetings to the Chairlady, the Minister of Finance, his colleagues, and the viewing public before turning his attention to the critical financial debates scheduled for the coming weeks. With the budget presentation and debate looming, Lewis made his position clear: thorough scrutiny will be his priority.
"I will be studying this budget thoroughly because, as per right now, I cannot support a budget when the people's money is being spent irresponsibly," Lewis stated.
To illustrate his concerns regarding fiscal mismanagement, the MP highlighted a specific situation involving the Ministry of Justice. He drew attention to the recently opened police substation located on Union Road in Cole Bay. According to Lewis, despite being a new facility intended to serve the community, he observed the station closed with hurricane shutters down 2:00 PM the previous day.
Lewis raised questions about the cost-benefit of such operations, noting that he understood the facility's rent to be approximately $10,000 or more. He argued that while he does not support cutting the justice budget, funds must be allocated more effectively.
"This money can be used for the betterment of the organization and its workers," Lewis argued, suggesting that high rental costs for a facility that is not consistently accessible to the public represents a misallocation of resources that could otherwise support justice workers directly.
As the Parliament of St. Maarten prepares to debate the 2026 budget, MP Lewis’s comments set a tone of rigorous oversight. His statement suggests that the Ministry of Finance and other government bodies should expect challenging questions regarding operational costs and the efficient use of taxpayer money in the upcoming sessions.