By The Star Staff
Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia said Wednesday that he anticipates having fewer conflicts with the Financial Oversight and Management Board this year, despite the fact that the United States Supreme Court did not side with his request to establish parameters regarding the fiscal entity created under the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) when it comes to vetoing laws.
“Well, but what I can say is the following -- if I see any unreasonable action on the part of the board, I will point it out and I do not rule out going to court to enforce my approach,” the governor said in response to questions from the press. “I hope that doesn’t happen constantly or regularly, because I see that we have a better working relationship with the board. I also see that the budget that we are going to be working with this next fiscal year has a larger amount, which will give us more flexibility to meet the needs of the people.”
The budget that the governor asked the oversight board to certify is $1 billion more than the current one.
“And although it may be that in some other cases there are differences with the board, I hope that for the vast majority of our initiatives, reasonable agreements will be reached with the board,” Pierluisi added.
The governor noted that the oversight board so far has not expressed opposition to the draft amendments to the Internal Revenue Law.
“The board requested the economic study that was prepared,” he said. “While the board has not expressed itself in writing on the subject, I have had conversations with the board [and] they have been receptive. I do not rule out, however, it may be that at some point they recommend other changes in our tax system.”
Pierluisi said the Legislative Assembly should address the internal revenue legislation as a priority.
“The important thing here is that there are public hearings,” he said. “If any change is made to the bill, it has a fiscal impact, and they have to prepare a study, as we did in the executive [branch] for the bill we submitted. That’s my approach.”