Posted on 05/03/2006 1:35:07 PM PDT by Ebenezer
(English-language translation)
The possibility of an agreement to solve the fiscal problem that yesterday kept the [Puerto Rico] government partially shut down for a second consecutive day vanished again in the afternoon when Governor Aníbal Acevedo Vilá abruptly left a meeting with House of Representatives Speaker José Aponte, alleging that the latter was being disrespectful.
The Governor claimed that he decided to leave the meeting because Aponte addressed him in a mocking tone, which the Speaker flatly rejected, accusing him of lying.
“At one moment, I told [Aponte] that I was glad that he could smile, because he was really smiling. As for me, I was thinking about the employees who were left out on the streets and he, in a mocking tone, told me ‘yes, I have seen your sorrowful face these past days. Let me know if you need a handkerchief for your tears.’ So I stood up and left because that is an insult to all Puerto Ricans who are out on the streets today,” said the Governor, who was speaking to the press at the office of former Speaker Carlos Vizcarrondo.
Acevedo left the Speaker’s office accompanied by his economics team [composed of] Secretary of the Treasury Juan Carlos Méndez, Government Development Bank (BGF) President Alfredo Salazar, and Secretary of the Governor’s Office Aníbal José Torres, all of whom Aponte did not allow into the meeting. When the Governor stood up, Aponte followed him to the door and, occasionally, Acevedo would turn to point out to him that he was going to talk to the press about what happened there.
CLASHING VERSIONS
Aponte denied having made that comment to the Governor. “It was the Governor who asked me if I was happy with what was happening and I told him no, that I was disappointed. I did not make the comment, I simply told him that this situation was creating a feeling of sorrow,” he stated. “If he wanted to misinterpret and use it for his benefit, unfortunately, he is lying again to the people,” he added.
The meeting came about at the invitation Aponte made to the Governor so he could express to him the benefits that, in his judgment, a bill approved by the House of Representatives to establish a 5% tax on corporations whose earnings exceed $10 million would have on public finances. While the Governor has reiterated that that measure is illegal because there are decrees and legal commitments with the corporations, he attended the meeting for which he suggested attendance by Senate President Kenneth McClintock. Aponte asked that McClintock not be present.
“There are extreme legal and constitutional doubts about that bill, and it does not produce the [necessary] $600 million. It’s not a solution. It aggravates next year’s situation,” the Governor said. For his part, the Speaker assured that exempt corporations could contribute as much as $1.1 billion annually, while the non-exempt ones would contribute some $100 million.
Acevedo insisted that [the House pass] the measure that approves a $532 million dollar loan, just as the Senate did. “[Aponte] tried to elaborate on the legal theory that, under that bill, the BGF cannot loan [money]. The BGF President has certified that, if the bill passed, the BGF can loan the money,” the Governor insisted.
Acevedo showed the report that the Moody’s Investors Service accrediting firm sent him yesterday which indicates that the island’s credit will fall soon if the solvency problem is not solved, and criticized that, “on party instructions”, the Speaker is not accepting his proposal. Aponte maintained that Acevedo did not present him the report and reiterated that his position is the same as before, including [before] the Directorate [of the opposition New Progressive Party (PNP)] discussed the matter.
Even before the meeting started, there were no major expectations. Caguas Mayor William Miranda Marín, accompanied by a group of mayors belonging to the Popular Democratic Party, arrived at the Capitol in a show of solidarity with the Chief Executive. “We are here in solidarity with him and praying to God that there be a result. It’s a pity. There is no patriotic sentiment here. There is no love for the island. No bridges and no avenues of consensus are being built,” Miranda stated.
Minutes before, the Governor arrived at the Capitol by the front door, provoking some booing by demonstrators, but mainly cries of “Easy, Aníbal, the people are with you.”
For his part, following the meeting, Aponte was surrounded by 16 legislators, at a time when the possibility that 8 members of the PNP delegation will vote for the Governor’s proposal is being commented on.
During the morning, the Governor’s Mansion announced that “while, by themselves, they do not solve the actual crisis, the Governor signed legislation that authorizes a $114,577,235 assignment to different agencies for operation and payroll expenses, as well as a measure that extends to June 30, 2006 the period for the accelerated payment of fines.”
“I have the responsibility of informing the Puerto Ricans, especially the public employees, that none of these measures by themselves solve the crisis that the government of Puerto Rico is facing and that keeps 43 agencies shut down, including the Governor’s Mansion,” the Governor maintained.
Five people protested at the gates of the Governor’s Mansion in the morning. Pedro Cruz, a teacher from Carolina, said that “if there’s no money to open a school, there’s no money to open a palace,” in reference to the Executive Mansion. He also assured that he disagreed with the House of Representatives granting the $532 million loan. “The impasse did not cause the government to shut down, it was a bad administration,” [Cruz] stated.
Vieques!
Speaker José Aponte=The Hispanic Newt Gingrich.
Probably the only five on the entire island not on welfare. The rest don't give a Tamale' as long as their checks arrive on time.
The Governor claimed that he decided to leave the meeting because Aponte addressed him in a mocking tone, which the Speaker flatly rejected, accusing him of lying.
How do you say, “I know you are, but what am I?” in Spanish?
Literally, it would be: "Yo sé que eres, pero, ¿qué soy yo?"
Aponte is not budging. As far as he is concerned, Governor Acevedo fabricated this whole "crisis".
On a similar note, a local attorney and newspaper columnist by the name of Luis Dávila Colón has argued that the Governor had nothing to lose by pulling this shutdown stunt since he was already unpopular to begin with. Furthermore, he contends that the Puerto Rican government should have money as it recently collected millions in revenue from Commonwealth income-tax returns.
Say, maybe we could just have a sub-group here for articles about 'Those Who Are Offended.' Seems to be a huge category, but frankly, I am offended by these offendees. Is it too much to ask that they would just STOP WHINING?
Puerto Rico?
If you are not Puerto Rican, who cares?
Every U.S. Taxpayer should care. The wrong decision on Puerto Rico's status could cost us billions every year, forever.
Yes, we should care. The island is a territory of the United States, and its residents are American citizens.
That can be changed.
Anything wrought by an act of the United States congress can be undone by another act of congress.
A drain to the economy,
Not worth the cost.
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