PLP Proposed Amendments In The Senate Turned Down
From The Office of the Chairman of The PLP
On The Economic Empowerment Zone Bill
For Immediate Release
9 August 2018
Today the Free National Movement passed a deeply flawed Economic Empowerment Zone Bill in the Senate and refused to agree with three amendments proposed by the PLP in the Committee stage of the Bill. The amendments would have ensured that the Bill will not be used by rich outsiders and unscrupulous landlords to force poor residents out of the zones. The PLP made the point that the legislation as presently drafted is deeply flawed and will promote the gentrification of Over-the-Hill.
The party would like to thank its Senators for providing these sensible amendments to the Act which would have protected the poor. We condemn the FNM for rejecting them.
The amendments rejected by the FNM are as follows:
———————-
9 August 2018
The Senate
Nassau
Proposed amendment to the Economic Empowerment Zone Bill
Clause 3:
1 In clause 3(a) of the Bill insert immediately after the word “zone” the words “who are ordinarily resident at the date of the designation”
2 In clause 3(b) of the Bill insert immediately after the word “zone” the words “at the date of the designation”
Signed:
The purpose of the proposed amendment is to ensure that benefits are restricted only to those ordinarily resident or doing business in the zone at the time of the designation.
—————————-
9 August 2018
The Senate
Nassau
Proposed amendment to the Economic Empowerment Zone Bill
Clause 5
In Clause 5 of the Bill: Add a new subclause (5) as follows:
“Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any other law where concessions are granted under this Act relating to rental or leased premises the landlord/owner thereof shall be prohibited from increasing the rents payable therefore for a period of three (3) years or for a period that permits the tenants to enjoy seventy-five (75) per centum of the value the concessions whichever is the greater benefit.
Signed:
The purpose of the amendment is to avoid tenants of long standing living in the zone from being pushed out by the landlords after improvements made possible by tax concessions.
—————————–
9 August 2018
The Senate
Nassau
Proposed amendment to the Economic Empowerment Zone Bill
1 Clause 6 of the Bill: In subclause (1) delete the existing subclause (c) and substitute a new subclause (c) as follows: “The applicant is ordinarily resident in the zone”.
2. In subclause (4) delete all the subclause after the words “A Certificate of Trade or a Certificate of Development” and substitute in the subclause with the following: “shall be issued on the condition that the holder thereof shall provide employment and contractual opportunities firstly to the residents ordinarily resident in and contractors conducting business within the zone”
3. In subclause 7 delete all of the words in the existing subclause after the word “the” and substitute with the following: “Supreme Court.”
Signed:
The purpose of amendments 1 and 2 in this Clause is to maximize benefits to those ordinarily resident or who are normal and regular business contractors in the zone.
The purpose of Amendment 3 in this clause is to provide for an independent body to hear appeals. Ministers or the Governor General should not hear appeals.