File #: Res 1241-2005    Version: * Name: Denouncing the Governor of Puerto Rico’s “crisis solutions” imposed in response to Puerto Rico’s debt and budget difficulties.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations
On agenda: 11/16/2005
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution denouncing the Governor of Puerto Rico’s “crisis solutions” imposed in response to Puerto Rico’s debt and budget difficulties, and urging him to work with all unionized sectors of government and public corporations to develop better policies to address these problems.
Sponsors: Hiram Monserrate
Council Member Sponsors: 1
Date Ver.Prime SponsorAction ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsMultimedia
12/31/2005*Hiram Monserrate City Council Filed (End of Session)  Action details Meeting details Not available
11/16/2005*Hiram Monserrate City Council Referred to Comm by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
11/16/2005*Hiram Monserrate City Council Introduced by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available

Res. No. 1241

 

Resolution denouncing the Governor of Puerto Rico’s “crisis solutions” imposed in response to Puerto Rico’s debt and budget difficulties, and urging him to work with all unionized sectors of government and public corporations to develop better policies to address these problems.

 

 By Council Member Monserrate

 

Whereas, Since June 2005, the Governor and Legislature of Puerto Rico have been at an impasse over the proposed budget; and                     

Whereas, In July of 2005, Governor Anibal Acevedo Vila declared that, due to Puerto Rico’s debt and budget crisis, his administration would propose  “crisis solutions”, which would include laying off 40,000 public employees, sub-contracting services and privatizing some services; and  

Whereas, In addition, Governor Acevedo announced that, among other harsh measures, water usage rates would increase by 128 percent, bus fares by 50 percent, and highway tolls by 43 percent; and                      

Whereas, During this time of hardship, many labor union contracts are coming up for re-negotiation, and the Governor has already ruled out wage increases and declared that he will not sign any bills requiring increased spending; and

Whereas, The government’s policies have negatively effected the working people of Puerto Rico, and have threatened to interfere with the proper functioning of governmental services; and

Whereas, Social service cutbacks and increased prices have already affected many, and have had an especially negative impact on the poorest communities; and

Whereas, It is imperative that the Governor and Legislature work together to formulate more equitable and reasonable policies to address Puerto Rico’s financial difficulties; and

Whereas, It is also necessary for the Governor to direct all government agencies to bargain in good faith with the unionized sectors of government and public corporations, in connection with any contracts which are about to expire; and

Whereas, The Governor and Legislature should also involve the working people of Puerto Rico, via the unions, as partners in working out appropriate, fair and effective solutions to Puerto Rico’s problems; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York denounces the Governor of Puerto Rico’s “crisis solutions” imposed in response to Puerto Rico’s debt and budget difficulties, and urges him to work with all unionized sectors of government and public corporations to develop better policies to address these problems.

 

 

 

LS # 3704

JP 11/9/05