Local News

October 01, 2026

Tackling outlines 2027 priorities, staffing and prison reform plans | The Daily Herald

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling has outlined a series of priorities for 2027, including completing the Point Blanche prison redevelopment, addressing long-standing personnel placement issues, strengthening law enforcement and modernising immigration and cust...

October 01, 2026

Gumbs: MECYS faces funding gaps as student numbers fall | The Daily Herald

October 01, 2026

Gumbs agrees it is time to settle St. Maarten’s national anthem question | The Peoples Tribune

All Local News

August 22, 2026

MP De Weever questions cannabis push, says St. Maarten is not ready for the consequences | The Peoples Tribune

GREAT BAY--Member of Parliament Ludmila de Weever has strongly questioned government’s prioritization of cannabis regulation, warning that St. Maarten is not sufficiently prepared for the possible public health, mental health, regulatory and financial consequences while m...

August 22, 2026

SZV can only legally refer patients to Curaçao, Ottley says law has to change | The Daily Herald

PHILIPSBURG--United People’s party (UP) Member of Parliament (MP) Omar Ottley said the law governing Social and Health Insurances SZV referrals should be changed because it currently allows SZV to legally refer patients only to Curaçao. Otltey made the remarks following concer...

August 22, 2026

MP Wever calls for special needs education to be put at forefront, urges tax exemption | The Peoples Tribune

GREAT BAY--Member of Parliament Christopher Wever used his contribution to the continuation of the 2026 Budget debate on Friday to renew his call for greater attention to special needs education, proposing that organizations serving special needs students receive greater...

August 22, 2026

Roseburg wants more basic goods tax-free and prices kept in Check | The Peoples Tribune

GREAT BAY--Member of Parliament Sjamira Roseburg is preparing a budget amendment to redirect approximately XCG 230,000 in unused personnel funds toward hiring legislative lawyers on a consultancy basis, while also moving to expand tax relief on essential goods and strengt...

August 22, 2026

Lacroes: residents of St. Peters cannot accept gun violence as normal, calls for more police presence | The Peoples Tribune

GREAT BAY--Member of Parliament Francisco Lacroes has issued a strong appeal for greater police visibility, removal of illegal firearms and more opportunities for young people in St. Peters, saying the district should not reach a point where violence, street activity and...

August 22, 2026

Irion: Parliament chair and Presidium a ‘dictatorship,’ criticizes cut of MPs time | The Daily Herald

PHILIPSBURG--National Alliance (NA) Member of Parliament (MP) Ardwell Irion criticized Parliament’s decision to reduce MPs’ speaking time during the 2026 budget debate, saying the change could limit Parliament’s ability to hold government accountable. He also described the man...

August 22, 2026

MP Roseburg to table amendment to move Cg. 230k for legislative lawyers | The Daily Herald

PHILIPSBURG--Unified Resilient St Maarten Movement (URSM) Member of Parliament (MP) Sjamira Roseburg plans to propose a budget amendment to move approximately Cg. 230,000 in unused funds from one budget post to another so the services of legislative lawyers can be used on a co...

August 22, 2026

MP Kotai proposes fee to fast-track VROMI permits, says 662 pending | The Daily Herald

PHILIPSBURG--With 662 of 1,111 VROMI permit applications still pending, Democratic Party (DP) Member of Parliament (MP) Viren Kotai is proposing a fee-based fast-track system that would allow applicants to pay for faster administrative processing within a defined timeframe. Ko...

August 21, 2026

MP Darryl York questions budget accountability, tax collection and millions in spending without clear results | The Peoples Tribune

GREAT BAY--Member of Parliament Darryl York used the 2026 budget debate to question whether Parliament has been given enough information to responsibly approve government spending, arguing that ministries continue to request millions of guilders while basic information on...

August 21, 2026

Minister of VSA Claret Connor Honors Seniors on World Senior Citizen Day | The Peoples Tribune

GREAT BAY--Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor Claret Connor is honoring St. Maarten’s senior citizens on World Senior Citizen Day 2026, recognizing their contribution to the development of the country and reaffirming the Ministry’s responsibility to s...

August 21, 2026

MP Ottley: Tourism is up, costs are up, and relief is still missing | The Peoples Tribune

GREAT BAY--Member of Parliament Omar Ottley used the 2026 budget debate to demand concrete relief for GEBE consumers, question decisions surrounding the authorization of a doctor to practice, and challenge government over delayed revenue measures, Justice commitments and...

August 21, 2026

MP Labega to Present Motions on Poverty Reduction, Civil Service Capacity and National Sports Development | The Peoples Tribune

GREAT MAN--Member of Parliament Dimar Labega announced during the 2026 budget debate that he will bring forward motions focused on establishing a National Poverty Reduction Strategy, addressing government’s critical human-resource and salary challenges, and developing a N...

August 21, 2026

MP Jansen-Webster: Govt. cannot keep calling health funds a risk without introducing GHI solution | The Peoples Tribune

GREAT BAY--Member of Parliament Veronica Jansen-Webster is calling on government to move General Health Insurance forward, warning that St. Maarten cannot continue identifying its healthcare funds as a major financial risk year after year while implementation of the long-...