[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 193 (Wednesday, December 6, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S18104]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   THE BUDGET AND PUERTO RICO'S NEEDS

 Mr. BREAUX. Mr. President, as the President constructs a 7-
year balanced budget plan to present to the Congress, I would like to 
reiterate my view that Puerto Rico's needs should not be ignored. The 
program developed by Governor Rosello to apply wage credit incentives 
to economically developed areas should be considered by the President 
as he fashions his plan. This would provide an excellent replacement to 
the termination of section 936.
  If no new economic development incentive can be agreed upon this 
year, Congress can still communicate its intentions to the people of 
Puerto Rico by pledging to consider a new job creation program at the 
earliest possible time. As a step toward this commitment, Congress 
should establish a new section of the code for economic development, 
and include as an interim measure the 10-year wage credit phase-out 
passed by the Congress. This technical change, which costs the Federal 
Treasury nothing, would demonstrate to the American citizens of Puerto 
Rico that Congress remains committed to its economic development and 
job creation.

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