A good session

Yesterday’s parliament session resulted in two significant decisions. The MP’s decided to insist on including themselves as well as the judiciary in the financial disclosure law. They also rejected imposing the sales tax on fuel, natural gas and cement.

The financial disclosure law has been a subject of debate for a long time. The senate rejected imposing the law on themselves, the house and the judiciary, citing a technicality on who should hold the records. The house now insisted on including themselves and their families, also including members of the senate and high ranking judiciary members. Hopefully, the senate will overcome it’s aversion to this law, and approve it. Of course, they risk tarnishing their reputations even further by insisting on excluding themselves.

The house also approved modifications on the sales tax, but rejecting imposition of this tax on fuel, natural gas and cement. There will be higher taxes on alcohol and cigarettes, giving smugglers more incentive to bring these illegally into the country. Also, the tax will be hiked on telecommunications services. Oh well.

It is good to see that the MP’s had the good sense to reject the tax on fuel and natural gas, which would have hurt the economy. It is disconcerting that the press ignored the issue, as did the political parties and the professional unions. Where were they?