"Measly"

Someone in government has finally said out loud what many have only whispered in private: St. Maarten cannot meaningfully function on a budget of 530 million guilders. Minister of TEATT Grisha Heyliger-Marten deserves credit for stating this plainly. For years, the public has been reassured that ministers could somehow stretch a chronically inadequate budget to meet the island’s growing needs. The Minister dubbed the budget; "measly".  

Her assessment, that the country needs at least 200 to 250 million guilders more each year just to maintain stable ground, is not alarmism but realism. And realism is the starting point for any honest policy conversation. In truth, even this figure may underestimate what is truly required for the island to operate effectively.

The challenge now is less about acknowledging the gap than about how to address it. Short-term adjustments may create the appearance of progress, but they leave underlying weaknesses intact, only for the same problems to re-emerge again and again. What St. Maarten requires is a willingness to pursue medium- and long-term solutions, the kind that may not deliver immediate relief but will, over time, make the system more sustainable.

Some of these solutions are already on the table. A Tourist Accommodation Bill, modeled after Barbados’s, could bring Airbnb and other short-term rentals into the formal system, ensuring compliance, fair competition, and new revenue. A well-designed tourist levy and stronger enforcement of labor laws could widen the contribution base. Improved compliance with existing taxes, or even careful consideration of new forms such as consumption taxes, could help distribute the burden more equitably.

Other measures deserve serious consideration as well: cannabis legalization, properly regulated and taxed, could create new income streams while lowering enforcement costs. Smaller but meaningful steps; garbage tipping fees, parking meters, stricter collection of casino fees, would collectively strengthen the government’s position and send a message that leakage and non-compliance will no longer be overlooked. And “sin taxes” on alcohol, tobacco, and sugary drinks could both raise revenue and improve public health outcomes, easing some of the long-term pressure on the healthcare system.

Yet, generating more revenue is only part of the answer. Diversifying the economy beyond tourism remains essential to reduce vulnerability to shocks like hurricanes or pandemics. And with personnel costs accounting for more than 30% of the budget, efficiency within government must also be part of any lasting solution. These are not easy choices, but they are the kinds of choices that can shift the trajectory of the country.

That is why Heyliger-Marten’s remarks matter. They remind us that St. Maarten cannot be expected to thrive on a budget designed for survival. The real danger is political timidity. Everyone agrees the country cannot run on fumes, but few are willing to risk their popularity by making the difficult decisions required to break the cycle.

But to save our country, those that occupy elected and appointed positions must act. And they must act boldly.

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