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Mail & Guardian
2 days ago
- Politics
- Mail & Guardian
Unpacking the dangers of the proposed amendments to Zambia's constitution, Part II
Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema. In this series on Zambia, Part II looks at legalising the use of public resources for election campaigns. ( The second benefit that Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema seeks to achieve through Article 81 (3) of Once parliament is dissolved by operation of law, MPs are no longer MPs and lose access to all the Dissolving parliament long before the election is important to the democratic process for two reasons. First, it allows those who were MPs before dissolution to focus on political campaigning instead of being encumbered by parliamentary business. Second, it prevents MPs from using Through Bill 7, Hichilema is proposing two amendments to the provisions governing dissolution. The first proposal is to amend article 81 (3) to read: 'Parliament shall stand dissolved a day preceding the date of the next general election . ' The The second proposal is to make MPs retain their position for this additional three-month period but In making these two proposals, Hichilema has three objectives. The primary objective is to entice all MPs to support the passage of Bill 7 by dangling a carrot in front of them. If there is anything that Hichilema learnt from his predecessor's This lesson explains why Hichilema could not embark on these constitutional changes Hijack and take control of the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) by Delay the resolution of the resultant PF leadership wrangles using Induce vacancies in several constituencies by using the police to arrest incumbent MPs on what appears to be Prevent the main opposition party from sponsoring candidates in the ensuing parliamentary by-elections either by Use incumbency advantage and Combined, these legal manoeuvres have enabled the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) to easily secure This abbreviated history of Hichilema's political schemes provides the clearest evidence that the president knew earlier that he would take self-serving and personally-driven amendments to the Constitution to parliament, rather than implementing his party's 2021 manifesto that Hichilema's hope is that the UPND will win the forthcoming by-elections before Bill 7 is tabled in parliament to reduce by one or two the number of MPs whom the ruling party might need to bribe to pass the dire constitutional changes. In the meantime, however, the president is offering a more transparent form of bribery that he hopes will appeal to all MPs — a The second objective is to enable MPs to campaign for their own re-election using public resources. Campaign finance is ordinarily difficult to raise in Zambia, making attractive any interventions that would help deflate Moreover, MPs receive constant requests for financial support from their constituents and are required to make monthly financial contributions to their political parties for by-election and day-to-day operational expenses. Allowing them to draw salaries for three months, The third objective is enabling MPs to campaign for Hichilema using public funds drawn from the free salaries and the consequent increase in their pensions . Currently, lawmakers receive about 3 million kwacha (the equivalent of $110 000) as payment for Altogether, the proposed changes would encourage electoral fraud, corruption and unfair practices during campaigns and gravely Furthermore, the proposals are likely to work to the advantage of the UPND because candidates belonging to parties in government generally find it much easier to attract external financing or resources from Sishuwa Sishuwa is a senior lecturer in the department of history at Stellenbosch University.
Vancouver Sun
30-05-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
NDP under fire, Conservatives divided, and Greens struggle as B.C. legislative session ends
All three of B.C.'s political parties will be licking their wounds this summer as the last few months have left First Nations and municipalities united in their anger at the governing NDP, the Conservatives dealing with a number of defections, and the Greens' caucus of two struggling. Premier David Eby in February said the session would be focused on addressing the 'existential threat' posed by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threats. It ended this week with the premier using all the political capital at his disposal to push controversial fast-tracking legislation, despite condemnation from Indigenous leaders and local governments. And one former member of the NDP government opposes the government's direction. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'What is most astounding and disheartening is why David Eby and his cabinet are turning their backs on such a diverse group of leaders and allies like the First Nations Leadership Council, local governments, environmentalists, and business leaders,' said Melanie Mark, a former minister in John Horgan's government and the first First Nations woman to hold a cabinet portfolio. Both Eby and Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma said Bills 14 and 15 — which would speed up renewable energy projects and transmission lines, and grant the provincial government broad powers to expedite major infrastructure projects — are needed to build hospitals, roads, schools, clean power projects and mines. Those opposed argue the government didn't consult before bringing forward the legislation and that the bills give the provincial cabinet carte blanche to pick winners and losers for development. It took a tiebreaking vote from Speaker Raj Chouhan on Wednesday night to save the government from potentially falling, after government house leader Mike Farnworth had made the bill a matter of a confidence vote. The fracas over Bills 14 and 15 wasn't the only issue as a previous attempt by the NDP to give themselves broad emergency powers over the economy through Bill 7 ran into public outcry. The bill, which grants government the power to respond to tariffs or other economic measures taken by other jurisdictions, was widely criticized. Farnworth told reporters Thursday there are always going to be disagreements but the government passed its agenda. 'The public expects things to get done. They expect things to be built. It's about our economy. It's about jobs. It's about dealing with the threats that we are facing from south of the border and the recognition that we have to diversify our economy,' he said. As well, Eby came under fire for hiring former Legal Aid CEO Michael Bryant as his Downtown Eastside czar without disclosing the contract, tabling a budget with an almost $11 billion deficit, and scrapping the carbon tax without a plan to make up a $1.8 billion shortfall. Meanwhile, the Conservatives struggled to maintain unity after o nly two weeks into their first legislative session when three MLAs defected after Rustad sided with house leader Á'a:líya Warbus against Vancouver-Quilchena representative Dallas Brodie's residential school denialism. Rustad also faced issues with Heather Maahs of Chilliwack North, who hosted an anti-abortion group inside the legislature, and Surrey-Panorma MLA Bryan Tepper welcomed a far-right influencer. In December, Surrey-Cloverdale MLA Elenore Sturko was at the centre of another controversy when 13 MLAs signed a letter disagreeing with her comments that former Vancouver police board vice-chair Comfort Sakoma-Fadugba was correct to resign over comments on gender transition and immigration. Rustad will have to deal with a leadership review this year while members of caucus and MPs are reportedly lining up to replace him — and if he is worried about keeping his party together and his job as their leader, he didn't show it Thursday. 'We are very united in terms of everything that we are fighting for and I am proud of the fact that there could be some differences in voices,' said Rustad. As for the Greens, its new MLAs Rob Botterell and Jeremy Valeriote started out signing a responsible government accord that gives the NDP their backing on certain confidence motions in exchange for cooperation on specific priorities, such as an expedited review of the CleanBC action plan. But the pair failed to gain traction and government scrapped the carbon tax despite their objections. They also faced a potential threat as the third party if any independents form their own party. This could come with a reduction in party funding and potential staff layoffs. Despite the disagreements and lack of attention, Botterell and Valeriote said the agreement has been successful, but it will be reviewed this fall. 'We get our voice heard by being measured, moderate, reasonable representatives who don't fly off the handle, don't indulge in personal attacks, or cast back 20 years to something that might have happened,' said Valeriote.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
B.C. Greens, NDP working constructively despite challenges, accord updates say
VICTORIA — New Democrats in British Columbia under Premier David Eby and the provincial Greens say an agreement between the two parties has yielded challenges, but the two sides are committed to keep working with each other. The first quarterly update on the two parties' Cooperation and Responsible Government Government Accord did not specify the challenges, only that both sides are planning to resolve them in "good faith." The agreement seeks to stabilize Eby's slim one-seat majority with the two B.C. Greens supporting the government, in exchange for specific actions in 12 policy areas including health care, housing, environment, electoral reform and B.C.'s response to American tariffs. The accord differs from the confidence-and-supply agreement that the two parties had signed in 2017 because it allows the B.C. Greens to disagree with government in areas not explicitly covered by the accord. A number of disagreements have risen between the New Democrats and the Greens since last fall's election, including the government's decision to axe the consumer carbon tax and Bill 15 — which proposes to speed up public and private infrastructure projects as a response to American tariffs. Neither disagreement appears in a joint statement signed by Eby and interim B.C. Green leader Jeremy Valeriote. The statement instead says Eby and Valeriote are "pleased to report" that a "number of policies" and reviews have been implemented and launched. They include enhanced rental supports for low-income seniors, $50 million for heat pumps for low- and middle-income households in each of the next two years, and the recently started review of CleanBC programs one year ahead of schedule. Both parties also say that they have so far "largely" lived up to their commitment to consult each other on legislation, adding that "when challenges arise, both parties are working to address them in good faith." The progress report specifically points to the talks that happened around Bill 7 -- the Economic Stabilization Tariff Response Act, whose initial wording would have given cabinet unprecedented powers to sidestep the legislature in response to tariffs from a foreign jurisdiction. The report says this regular communication between the two parties "was largely tested" during the debate around Bill 7, with the resulting agreement between government and the B.C. Greens leading to the removal of "certain clauses" and the government accepting "certain amendments." The B.C. Greens said in a separate statement that they are "confident" in the progress described in the first quarterly report, pointing to "wins" around key Green priorities such as "democratic reform, expanded rental assistance for low-income families and seniors and accelerated investments" in climate-friendly technologies. Valeriote says much of the work outlined in the two parties' agreement is still in progress, adding that the Greens are aware that "there is far more to do on health care, on housing, on climate, and on building a democratic system that earns people's trust." The four-year-long agreement includes an annual renewal clause and includes a provision for quarterly updates. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 23, 2025. Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Water bills face deadline threat as Texas lawmakers negotiate spending priorities
Texas is running out of water. And Texas lawmakers are running out of time to solve the problem. With just days left until the legislative session ends, two key pieces of legislation await key votes in the state House and Senate. The two pieces of legislation, Senate Bill 7 and House Joint Resolution 7, are supposed to work together to spend billions of dollars to save the state's water supply. Despite Gov. Greg Abbott declaring water an emergency item at the start of the legislative session, which means the bills can be fast-tracked, lawmakers, water agencies, and advocacy groups have reached an impasse on how to spend the money. 'This is a priority for leadership. It is going to have to be negotiated,' said Perry Fowler, executive director of the Texas Water Infrastructure Network. 'This is big, important policy. It is not easy stuff. You end up getting some bumps and bruises.' A Texas 2036 report estimated that the state needs nearly $154 billion by 2050 for water infrastructure, including $59 billion for water supply projects, $74 billion for leaky pipes and infrastructure maintenance, and $21 billion to fix broken wastewater systems. If the bills are approved — and voters agree in the fall —the state will spend about $10 billion over the next decade. The Senate bill would create the administrative framework for how water projects would be funded under the Texas Water Development Board. It also establishes two new oversight bodies: the Texas Water Fund Advisory Committee and the Office of Water Supply Conveyance Coordination. Recent changes to the bill have expanded its scope to include programs like the Flood Infrastructure Fund, the Economically Distressed Areas Program, and the Agricultural Water Conservation Fund. The Senate bill, sponsored by state Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, passed the upper chamber and is now in the House. A floor debate by the full chamber could happen as soon as May 23. The final deadline for the House to give preliminary approval to Senate bills is May 27. The House resolution, sponsored by state Rep. Cody Harris, R-Palestine, is where the real tension lies. The resolution proposes a constitutional amendment that would dedicate up to $1 billion per year to the Texas Water Fund for the next decade — money that would allow local governments and water providers to build supply and fix aging systems. The resolution passed the House and was referred to a Senate committee. Perry proposed changes to the resolution that spell out how the money is to be spent. Water policy experts, lobbyists, and environmental groups have raised concerns about the rigid funding formula. Sarah Kirkle, policy director at the Texas Water Conservation Association, said the allocation formula remains the main hurdle between the two chambers. 'The biggest conversations between the House and Senate will be focused on how much of the dedicated funding goes to new supply projects versus a wider range of project types, that includes other water supply projects, wastewater projects, potentially flood projects, and all of our infrastructure repair and replacement projects,' she said. Originally, the House proposal gave the water board broad discretion over how to spend the money. The options can broadly be divided into two categories. New water supply: desalinating brackish groundwater and marine water to make it drinkable, 'shovel-ready' reservoirs and constructing pipelines to transport water across the state. The other, leaky pipes: repairing the state's old and deteriorating water infrastructure. The Senate amendment now mandates that 80% of the money goes to new water supply projects, such as desalination, while only 20% would be reserved for repairs, conservation, and flood mitigation. This split has become the flashpoint of the legislative debate. At the hearing, Perry strongly advocated for what he calls a 'long-term water supply' plan that prioritizes new water supply projects over infrastructure repairs. He defended the split, saying that fixing every leak in that state would not be enough water recovered to solve the state's future supply challenges. Perry said that if the split doesn't favor water supply, big cities will take all the funding and 'the state would have missed an opportunity with the limited funds available to actually address a supply need that is critical to continue the Texas Miracle for decades to come.' He argued that with this plan he is protecting all interests in the state's 254 counties and guaranteeing rural areas will benefit and not get left behind. 'That's why I'm heavily weighted on supply,' he said. Many argue that the prescriptive split undermines local flexibility and shifts too much attention toward new water supply projects, desalination and pipelines, at the expense of urgently needed repairs to infrastructure or flooding mitigation. Fowler said the state's top three leaders – Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows — are aligned with having no split and letting the water board determine what is best. He added that there will need to be a 'reasonable compromise with Sen. Perry to keep [legislation] moving forward.' Andrew Mahaleris, Abbott's spokesman, didn't say if the governor had a preference on how the money is spent. However, Mahaleris said the governor wants to make 'the largest investment in water in Texas history' so the state can do both. The state 'must also invest in new water supply strategies that develop resources like desalination facilities and transportation infrastructure and ensure rural Texas communities have the resources to maintain existing water systems,' Mahaleris said. He assured that the governor will continue to work with Perry and Harris on the legislation. Burrows also did not comment on the split. 'By providing the resources and funding for critical water supply infrastructure projects, the state is taking a proactive approach to keeping up with population growth and ensuring Texas communities are able to have their water needs met,' he said in a statement. 'I look forward to a thoughtful debate when Senate Bill 7 comes to the House floor later this week,' he said. Patrick's office did not return a request for comment. Jennifer Walker, director for the Texas Coast and Water program with the National Wildlife Federation, said she thinks the split will change. 'I don't think it's gonna be 80/20… I would prefer no split,' Walker said. 'I don't think that's realistic. But we have to reject this false narrative that only projects labeled as 'new supply' can secure our water future.' Walker and other water experts said negotiations over the split are ongoing. 'It's gotten real quiet,' she said. 'It does make me nervous. Time is running out.' Despite the debate, most of the organizations supporting the bills believe the proposals will ultimately pass. 'Water has been a key priority for much of state leadership this session. I have a lot of faith that they're going to be able to advance both pieces of legislation,' Kirkle said. The Senate committee must advance the House bill before May 24. 'I can't imagine anyone being okay with this falling apart,' Fowler said. 'It needs to get resolved.' If both chambers pass their respective versions, the bills will move to a conference committee, where the most contentious decisions will be made out of public view, behind the scenes. There lawmakers will need to reconcile their differences. If they do, the decision will ultimately fall to Texas voters, who will decide in November whether to approve the new constitutional amendment. Disclosure: Texas 2036 and Conservation Fund have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. First round of TribFest speakers announced! Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Maureen Dowd; U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio; Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker; U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff, D-California; and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas are taking the stage Nov. 13–15 in Austin. Get your tickets today!
Vancouver Sun
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
B.C. legislature honour victims of festival attack, then adjourns for the day
Article content VICTORIA — The B.C. legislature convened Monday morning for a sitting that was as sombre as it was brief. Article content Article content The house was back in session after a 10-day break. Only 16 sitting days were left on the calendar with much still to be done. The order paper, determined in advance, dictated a busy day. Article content Budgets for almost half the ministries in government have yet to be scrutinized and approved. Bill 7, legislation granting the government emergency powers to combat the Trump tariffs, was still mired in clause-by-clause debate. Article content Article content Article content Premier David Eby had consulted Conservative Leader John Rustad and Green Leader Jeremy Valeriote in advance. The three agreed that the house should convene for a moment of silence, then adjourn for the day out of respect for the dead, the injured, their families and the Filipino community. Article content The legislature proceedings began at 10 am with the usual statement of prayer and reflection. Article content Kiel Giddens, Conservative MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie, began with recognition that Monday was the national day of mourning for workers injured, made ill or killed on the job. Article content Article content 'We also need to pray today for the victims and their families of the horrible tragedy this past weekend in Vancouver,' he continued. 'We pray for the entire Filipino community across Canada.' Article content Article content Speaker of the legislature Raj Chouhan, then rose from his chair. A longtime trade unionist, he thanked the MLA for 'remembering those who never came back home, going to work, and those who have never recovered from their injuries.' Article content 'Thousands of people were there, got together, enjoying their day, celebrating culture, celebrating their traditions, human rights, freedom, everything,' said Chouhan. 'Many of us were there during the day.'
