To finalize the election of a congressional delegation from Puerto Rico, the plans of the administration of Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia is to allocate a salary of between $ 150 thousand to $ 180 thousand for the six cousins, as they assured Metro multiple independent sources.
Although La Fortalesa did not offer a specific amount on delegates ’salaries, they stated in written statements that it will run parallel to“ what their peers charge ”in reference to congressmen. This would place the salary on the line detailed by Metro sources. In addition, according to the Secretary of the Interior, the money will come from the budget allocation of the Federal Affairs Administration of Puerto Rico (PRFAA, for its acronym in English). Governor Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia anticipated today that the budget he will present does not necessarily have to conform to the fiscal control board’s fiscal plan. Fortaleza did not detail Metro questions whether they would seek authorization from the Board to allocate money to cover the salaries of congressional delegates.
However, the reality of a shared puts in check the law that makes a special election viable to choose this Puerto Rican congressional delegation. The law, which could be repealed, does not detail the wages these six people would deserve.
Under Law 167 of 2020, the State Election Commission (EEC) will have to hold a special election to elect two special delegates for the United States Senate and four for the federal House of Representatives, so that these work to demand that Puerto Rico be admitted as a state after the “mandate of the people expressed last November 3.”
These delegates, who in order to be eligible to participate in the election would have to reside on the island or in Washington DC and speak English and Spanish must work “full time during the term of office to achieve this end,” the l ‘statehood. Expenses and salaries related to these officials, who would begin their duties on July 1 this year, would be borne by PRFAA.
Fund for the election
The EEC continues to apply for funds to be able to hold the election to elect these “congressmen.” Until last Thursday, President Francisco Rosado Colomer indicated that he would need about $ 8.9 million, changing the figure to $ 6.6 million.
PIP seeks to eliminate the Act
The Puerto Rican Independentist Party (PIP) filed two projects to repeal Law 167, known as the Law to Create the Congressional Delegation of Puerto Rico. “In the case of the Senate, María de Lourdes Santiago filed Project 0094 and in the lower house, Denis Márquez, the chamber project 1039, both for the same purpose.