The Royal Gazette yesterday hit the streets of Hamilton to find out what residents think of the 2010 National Budget.

Most who talked to this newspaper focused on the two percent increase in payroll tax an initiative that Finance Minister Paula Cox said she expects to get a lot of criticism.

Others accused the Government of misspending and disregarding the concerns of the average earner.

"The Finance Minister is in la-la land," said Warwick resident, Stephen Kempe. "She seems to think that the recession is all over but that is nonsense. If she thinks that tourism is going to get better in 2010 she must be blind."

Ms Cox presented the Budget in the House of Assembly on Friday.

Although several conceded that they had not read it they were aware of the payroll tax increase and upset with it.

Darlene Tevares from Hamilton Parish said: "I have not paid much attention to the Budget but I know they are increasing payroll tax and that sucks. I think they are increasing payroll tax to pay for all the people who can't be bothered to get up and go to work everyday. I get up everyday, get dressed and hurry into town to work why should I have to pay for others who don't want to?"

Devonshire resident Frankie Furbert was just as displeased with the plan.

"The only part that I read about was the increase in payroll tax," he said. "I don't see why they need to take more money from me. There are other places that the money could come from and other means to raise funds so why take from the working man? It seems like the taxes and cost of living keep going up but the wages stay the same."

One man said he could sympathise with the Government decision but said he would do things differently if he had the choice.

"I think what the Government has done is suitable but I think maybe they should adjust their focus to improve things like education and tourism," said Southampton resident Wayne Augustus. "Crime is the main issue on everyone's minds these days so why don't they try and improve basic security and give the Police proper equipment and increase their manpower? Or, why not spend some money improving Bermuda's image? We need to make Bermuda more attractive to tourists."

Others claimed that the tax increases are going to hurt them and their businesses.

"I am annoyed. They already take enough money," said Ceteira DeSilva from Hamilton Parish. "Why should I have to pay the Government's debt?"

Marc Thomas of Warwick was equally concerned: "I understand that she [Minister Cox] has to get money from somewhere but there was no mention at all of last year's overspending. I don't think they have the common Bermudian's best interest at heart."

Matt Lewis from Pembroke said: "I think that it is unfair. Most people are struggling as it is. I am looking for a job but can't find one. How are people supposed to pay all this money when there are no jobs out there?"

Two small business operators said that the taxes will hurt their bottom line.

"There is basically only so much that a small business can absorb in relation to payroll. It is going to affect the customer. It has to come from somewhere," said Hamilton shop manager Kyle Parkin. He added: "In these times nothing should be going up."

Hamilton shop owner Paulo Arruda said: "While I am affected by tax increases it doesn't affect me as much as larger businesses. I am self-employed and the only person on the payroll. I can't imagine the effect that this could have on a company that has ten employees."