Puerto Ricans Protest Budget Problems

[struggle4progress]

Staff and agencies
28 April, 2006

By MANUEL ERNESTO RIVERA, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 2 minutes ago

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - More than 45,000 Puerto Ricans marched through the streets of the capital Friday demanding politicians resolve a budget impasse that could lead to a government shutdown next week.

"We‘re calling for them to reach an agreement, that they sign all that they need to sign so the Puerto Rican worker is not thrown out into the street and we remain without work. They must leave this game behind," said Nilda Marrero, a teacher from the San Juan suburb of Bayamon.

This U.S. Caribbean territory on Monday runs out of cash to pay some 100,000 public employees and provide public services. Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila has said essential services, such as police and hospitals, would remain running, but 45 of nearly 120 government agencies would close, as well as nearly 1,600 schools, which would halt the term two weeks early. <snip>

http://www.localnewsleader.com/olberlin/stories/index.php?action=fullnews&id=182568