Fiscal Board Denies Funding for Shadow Congressional Delegation
Puerto Rico Speaker Says Panel Validated House’s Repeal of $7 Million Measure
SAN JUAN — Puerto Rico House Speaker Rafael “Tatito” Hernández announced Tuesday that the Financial Oversight and Management Board (FOMB) confirmed that it would not authorize the commonwealth’s use of some $7 million to finance Act 167 of 2020, the Act to Create the Puerto Rico Congressional Delegation.
“In light of these facts, the board is unable to make way for the administration of Pedro Pierluisi’s request to reprogram these monies for the purpose of paying lobbyists to advance his political-partisan efforts in Washington,” Hernández said in a statement.
The House speaker further noted that “these are inappropriate and undemocratic acts that detract from the credibility of members of the New Progressive Party (NPP), in their attempts to promote the statehood status. This House passed legislation on Feb. 2 (House Bill 21) which, in effect, repeals Act 167 and today the board validates our position.”
“This afternoon, we reaffirm that we will defend in any forum our constitutional prerogatives, which are even recognized by the Financial Oversight and Management Board,” he added.
The fiscal board’s executive director, Natalie Jaresko, wrote to the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) executive director, Juan Carlos Blanco, responding “to reprogramming request No. 2021-20376 submitted by the Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) on behalf of the State Elections Commission (“SEC”) on February 3, 2021.
“The submission requests Oversight Board approval of a reprogramming from the FY20 Unallocated Capex [capital expenditures] to cover the costs of a special election to select a delegation to the United States Congress to pursue statehood pursuant to Act 167-2020,” Jaresko wrote.
She pointed to a March 5 letter from Speaker Hernández saying that the legislature “was never informed” of the request” before OMB’s submission to the board, “and the Legislature opposes the reprogramming and is preparing legislation to repeal Act 167-2020.”
Jaresko added: “In light of this, the Oversight Board is unable to act upon your request at this time.
“The Oversight Board encourages the Governor and the Legislature to work together collaboratively, if possible, concerning the funding of Act 167-2020 or any similar law. Please be advised the Oversight Board does not take any position on Puerto Rico’s future political status.”
Related Posts
Latest News
-
Being Vigilant of the 7 Benchmarks to end 2022
We are just about to end the fourth quarter of...
- Posted November 22, 2022
-
Inflation Heading Down, What Happens Now?
The Four Benchmarks to review that confirm inflation may be...
- Posted November 14, 2022
-
The Six Factors to Expect during the end of 4Q22
We are deep within the fourth quarter we thought it...
- Posted November 10, 2022
-
Puerto Rico Banks Deliver strong earnings, beating most banks
Puerto Rico Banks Transformed their operational model The Puerto Rico...
- Posted November 9, 2022
-
US Congress Discrimination affecting the Puerto Rico’s Healthcare Ecosystem
The market dynamics that changed the Healthcare Ecosystem as we...
- Posted November 8, 2022
-
MCS contributes over $5 million to support member healthcare
The insurer distributed the amount among 409 community pharmacies in...
- Posted November 7, 2022
-
Droguería Betances Launches 60th Anniversary Ad Campaign
Droguería Betances has launched a new advertising campaign, “60 Reasons...
- Posted October 31, 2022
-
Puerto Rico Food Industry Helps Communities in Aftermath of Hurricane Fiona
Over three-quarters of a million dollars in aid to...
- October 24, 2022
-
Medplus Solutions celebrates 10 years Saving Lives
Innovation and continuous growth Expansion of specialized and more...
- May 18, 2022
-
Amazon Web Services Expands Operations in Puerto Rico
Local Office Will Offer Services to other Caribbean Islands...
- April 22, 2022
-
García Padilla: Rubio Is No Friend of Puerto Rico
Governor Says Rubio's Remarks Confirm he Works for 'Vultures'
- February 26, 2016
- 15
You must be logged in to post a comment Login