State of the State address to come in weeks says TCI Premier Washington Misick 

By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, January 24, 2023 – In the midst of an immigration crisis, after a year of extremely high inflation; the crown land ordinance finally being reviewed; the worst outbreak of violence in recent history; free college education for students, a favourable Crown Land Review and tougher crime legislation passed,  Premier Washington Misick will give the State of the State Address on Monday February 27th and he says ‘big ticket’ items are on the table.

The State of the State, which mimics the US style of an annual report from the country’s top-elected official will come two years and a few days after the anniversary of a 14 to 1 landslide victory for the Progressive National Party in 2021.

The announcement of the coming report was made over the weekend of January 20th via Facebook. Last year during the anniversary address, even as the Premier was speaking a spate of violent crimes were erupting in TCI; tourism and real estate sales were robust, Russia was raining down terror on Ukraine  in an incursion which precipitated food shortages and record global inflation.

All factors which would impact the trajectory of the Washington Misick-led administration.

Residents are anticipating plans for the New Year as well as answers on the issues which were well articulated in a late year string of town hall meetings; among the concerns:

• National Brain drain as Turks and Caicos continues to loose talent to other countries
• Gang violence and crime
• Illegal migration and workforce disparities
• Crown land complexities and housing shortages
• Record high inflation
• Covid-19 and other health matters and much more.

In a press conference on January 16^th, the premier indicated that his government team was aiming to fully use the Budget to create as many opportunities as possible and he would speak to those opportunities in the state address.

“There are some other exciting programs that we are working on, as we come towards the end of the financial year we want to be able to maximize the impact of those programs– we are working to be able to make some major announcements that will improve lives, enhance the economy and the future of Turks and Caicos Islanders.”

He maintained there were several big ticket items and projects being completed and promised to speak to these, as well, in his February address.