Roseburg releases ‘Where Did Your Money Go?’, giving account of her Parliamentary work

GREAT BAY--Member of Parliament Sjamira Roseburg has released a detailed public report outlining what she says she has done on behalf of the people of St. Maarten during the 2025-2026 Parliamentary Year, covering legislation, motions, government oversight, community initiatives and issues still being pursued. (𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘭𝘰𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘭𝘦)

The report, titled “Where Did Your Money Go? Accountability. Transparency. Results”, is presented as a direct account to voters of how Roseburg used her position in Parliament and the work undertaken during the year.

“When you elected me to Parliament, you gave me more than a vote, you gave me a responsibility,” Roseburg states in the report. “This report is my account to you of how I carried that responsibility during the 2025-2026 parliamentary year: the issues I raised, the legislation I worked on, the motions I brought forward, the questions I asked, and the initiatives I continued to push.”

Roseburg said she worked on eight pieces of legislation as co-legislator during the year, including three new initiatives and five carried over from the previous parliamentary year.

She stressed that legislation can take considerable time because proposed laws must pass through drafting, amendment, legal review, consultation, committee consideration and plenary debate before becoming law.

“Some of this work takes months. Some takes longer. That is due diligence, not always delay,” she said.

Legislative work

Among the legislative initiatives highlighted in the report is a proposal aimed at expanding the list of basic necessities exempt from BBO, with the intention of lowering prices on everyday essentials.

Roseburg also listed abortion law reform, an LTU amendment, rental law reform and custom licence plate legislation among the measures that have entered or advanced through the legislative process.

The report states that the LTU and rental law amendments are under review by the Social Economic Council, while the custom licence plate legislation has been submitted to the Ministry of Finance and is under legal review.

Roseburg also highlighted work on Ley Olimpia legislation to address online gender-based violence, cyberbullying legislation and proposed small claims and multi-judge chamber legislation.

Motions and amendments

The report also lists several motions and budget amendments that advanced during the year.

Roseburg said a motion aimed at strengthening enforcement against illegal dumping passed Parliament 11-4, while a consumer price monitoring motion passed unanimously.

A budget amendment reallocating funds to secure external legislative lawyers passed 14-1, with the stated aim of addressing delays in the legislative agenda caused by a shortage of legal drafting capacity.

The Crime Fund policy plan, which Roseburg said originated from a motion she brought in 2024, was also incorporated into the budget.

article continues below...

Holding government accountable

Roseburg used the report to outline several areas where she says she continued pressing government for action.

These include GEBE accountability, legislation addressing hair discrimination, expanding tax-free goods and continued follow-up on outstanding payments owed to Justice workers.

She also listed paternity leave, youth development, road safety and free legal assistance for vulnerable residents among ongoing initiatives.

The report highlights the Drive Smart SXM road safety initiative, a legal helpdesk now entering its third year, and continued advocacy surrounding gender-based violence and victim support.

School breakfast and youth initiatives

Roseburg also pointed to community-based initiatives, including support for a school breakfast program that she said has assisted more than 60 children at two schools.

Other projects highlighted include activities for foster children, aimed at exposing them to local role models and opportunities, and “Law 101” videos intended to explain legal issues and address subjects that may be difficult to discuss publicly.

Kingdom Affairs and integrity

As part of her broader parliamentary work, Roseburg also referenced her involvement in Kingdom Affairs and the Integrity Committee.

The report highlights efforts to move difficult Kingdom discussions, including slavery, toward more direct dialogue and states that work is ongoing to finalize Parliament’s first Code of Conduct.

Her message on Kingdom relations is summarized in the report as: “Stop talking at each other. Start talking with each other.”

‘This is only the beginning’

Roseburg framed the report as a checkpoint rather than a conclusion.

“This report is not the finish line, it’s a checkpoint,” she states.

She pledged to continue raising concerns brought by residents, working on legislation, asking difficult questions, holding government accountable and voting according to her conscience.

Roseburg also encouraged residents to remain engaged and to hold her accountable.

“Because this isn’t my Parliament. It’s yours,” the report states.

The report is intended to give residents a clearer picture of how Roseburg says she has used her parliamentary mandate, while also setting out the work that remains unfinished heading into the new parliamentary year.

The report was designed by Milica and Maria Granger, two local students currently majoring in Marketing and Communication with specialties in A.I. at HAN University in Arnhem, the Netherlands. MP Roseburg expressed her utmost thanks to the students for their work and encouraged them to keep pushing and striving to meet their goals as the next generation of St. Maarten professionals.

‍