The Peoples Tribune

November 03, 2026

GREAT BAY--Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Melissa Gumbs has warned Parliament that the Ministry faces an estimated Cg 11.8 million funding gap in 2027, despite a proposed budget increase of Cg 7.1 million, or 5.64 percent. The Minister explained th...

November 03, 2026

GREAT BAY--Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten has outlined six strategic priorities intended to guide St. Maarten's economic development in 2027, placing emphasis on diversification, cost-of-living relief, c...

November 03, 2026

GREAT BAY--Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten has introduced the possibility of a financial transaction tax as part of a broader discussion on reforming St. Maarten's revenue system, reducing existing tax burdens...

November 03, 2026

GREAT BAY--Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina announced that the Ministry of General Affairs' budget will increase from approximately Cg 82 million in 2026 to Cg 95 million in 2027, representing an increase of roughly 15 percent. The additional allocation is intended to add...

November 03, 2026

GREAT BAY--Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina has announced additional professional capacity for the government's Legal Affairs and Personnel and Organization (P&O) departments, including the engagement of legislative lawyers, the establishment of an external legal supp...

November 03, 2026

GREAT BAY--The Fire Department will receive a budget increase of approximately 16 percent in 2027 as government moves to address longstanding challenges involving equipment, staffing, training and operational readiness. Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina announced the incre...

November 03, 2026

GREAT BAY--The Ministry of Justice will operate with a virtually unchanged budget of Cg 113.8 million in 2027, despite continuing staff shortages across law enforcement, detention, immigration and other critical services. With only 54 percent of its authorized positions f...

November 03, 2026

GREAT BAY--Bridge Builders will host its annual Meatless Day Walkathon on Saturday, November 7, with proceeds going toward supporting Animal Defenders and its ongoing efforts to care for stray and abandoned animals on St. Maarten. The fundraising event, which begins at 6:...

November 03, 2026

GREAT BAY--Staff of Judicial and Institutional Services (J&IS) accompanied six young male residents of the J&IS Youth Residential Home to the launch of Castel Abraham's book, The Healing Man , on Sunday, November 1, at the Belair Community Center in Cay Hill. Thei...

November 03, 2026

GREAT BAY--Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs has identified four major policy priorities for the Ministry of Finance in 2027, while warning Parliament that staff shortages, weaknesses in tax collection, hidden financial obligations, delayed structural reforms and insuffic...

November 03, 2026

GREAT BAY--Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs has outlined adjustments to the 2027 capital budget, including a revised borrowing requirement of approximately Cg 94 million to finance government investments, some of which were originally scheduled to be funded through a loa...

November 03, 2026

GREAT BAY--The Government of St. Maarten is advancing several revenue-generating measures, including the introduction of a tourist tax, revisions to government fees, improved tax collection and the exploration of a gaming tax framework, as part of its efforts to broaden t...

November 03, 2026

GREAT BAY--Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs announced in Parliament on Tuesday that the projected surplus in the draft 2027 National Budget has increased from Cg 8 million to approximately Cg 10 million following adjustments to government expenditures. The Minister also...