The Government’s budget for 2019 continues a disturbing trend and vision for Guyana’s future. Despite promising “a good life” for Guyanese, the budget continues to shape a future in which the government is not accountable to taxpayers, where corruption and political nepotism are entrenched, and future oil revenues benefit only the governing political class. More troubling is that taxpayers’ money is used to pay for the government’s priorities at the expense of their own livelihood and success. Fortunately, there are common sense policies that can make the economy work for everyone and put it on a sustainable path.

Over the last five years, taxpayers funded more than $1.1 trillion in government spending, each year pumping more money into the government coffers than the previous year. Despite this, taxpayers received less and less in return. The government unable to use taxpayers’ money to improve the economy and create opportunities for families and businesses to succeed. Moreover, its budget and policies undermined growth and began to reverse decades of positive economic momentum and social and economic progress. Government officials must start making better investment decisions to ensure taxpayers get a good return for their hard-earned dollars.