Posted on 12/03/2017 6:10:42 PM PST by jazusamo
Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello last month asked federal taxpayers to shell out $94 billion to pay for the territorys recovery from Hurricane Maria then turned around and paid out about $100 million in Christmas bonuses to government employees on the island.
The governors aides say the bonuses were part of a long-standing tradition and were included in the budget approved over the summer.
But that budget came well before Hurricanes Irma and Maria slammed into Puerto Rico, leaving much of the territory in ruin and the government begging for federal assistance.
The islands financial oversight board, created by Congress as part of a deal to bail the government out of a potential debt default last year, had urged the governor not to make the payments, saying the hurricanes should have forced a rethink of the budget. The payments also could dent Mr. Rossellos efforts to get Capitol Hill to pony up for the recovery.
Puerto Rico has demonstrated time and time again that its government is incapable of responsibly handling its finances. This is yet another such instance, said Rep. Tom McClintock, California Republican and a member of the House committee with oversight on Puerto Rico.
The bonuses have been controversial since Puerto Ricos debt struggles began, with the payments in 2015 and 2016 also drawing scrutiny. The 2015 payment was about $120 million, while this years payment was $113 million, the government told Bloomberg News.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Even without the hurricane, the territory was bankrupt and missing bond payments.
We should have cut this island loose after the FALN terrorist episodes of the 1970s. Who decided that PR should become a U.S territory anyway with full U.S. citizenship? Did McKinley lose a bet?
If congress forces a government shutdown I hope to God that President Trump shuts down all non essential government agencies WITHOUT PAY. That’ll make the rats squirm.
Feliz crappydad
Our outfit had to forego profit sharing this year due to early year softness in the market. Too bad we don’t have a government taxpayer tit to suckle from.
Time to Dump PR.
We owe them nothing.
They are a liability to the US.
Cut the line ........ let them sink.
Right on, I couldn’t agree more.
Hahahahahahahahahahaha!
Hahahahahahahahahahaha!
Give em a coconut for Christmas.
You know how you can tell when a Democrat politician is stealing?
When he/she is breathing.
3.3 million population
94 billion hurricane relief
How much is that per person?
Auction them off on E-Bay. Done.
“Puerto Rico has demonstrated time and time again that its government is incapable of responsibly handling its finances. This is yet another such instance, said Rep. Tom McClintock, California Republican and a member of the House committee with oversight on Puerto Rico.”
Hey Sheet Maaan, theees is whayt hoppen when joo gets a Hispanic-run gobierno.
Puerto Rico, Mexico, all of Central and South Hammerica, es lo mismo!
And yet we let this string of wanna be welfare recipients continue to invade our country.
Lets wrap this FReepathon up, folks!
Fresh fruit, seafood and mufungo is all it is good for.
Ssshhhhh
And dont forget the cruise ships
Far past time to cut that island loose.
“a long-standing tradition and were included in the budget approved over the summer.”
Again courtesy of U.S. Taxpayers?
Cut ‘em loose. Time for them to be independent and pay their own way.
$28K I think.
Yep, I just checked.
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