Senate Debates $1.5 Million Dollar Stevedore Payout
The Briceño administration read through a supplementary appropriation bill on Tuesday to retroactively approve the disbursement of one point five million dollars to the Christian Workers Union. Those monies are from the public purse and were earmarked for the compensation of stevedores for the privatization of the port in 2002. While the funds are mired in legal controversy and an injunction remains in place until the Supreme Court can decide on the matter involving its disbursement to the C.W.U.’s members, the present government is being criticized. That’s because the Finance and Audit Reform Act is being called to question and whether or not that piece of legislation is being flouted. Kicking off a spirited debate in the upper house this morning was Senator Michael Peyrefitte.
Michael Peyrefitte, Lead Opposition Senator
‘Madam President, I was expecting from Senator Courtenay that he would introduce this bill with an apology. The last time when we debated the last appropriation bill he said, “You will hear the lawbreakers from over there.” And he made certain pronouncements.”
Michael Peyrefitte
Senate President
“Senator Michael Peyrefitte…”
Mike Peyrefitte
“I’ll tie it in, Madam President…”
Senate President
“Can we come to the content of the bill?”
Mike Peyrefitte
“I’ll tie it in, Madam President, it’s all related. It’s all related, because they are doing here exactly what they criticized us for.”
Senate President
“Again, Senator Michael Peyrefitte, can we stick to the content of the bill?”
Mike Peyrefitte
“Madam President, I am sticking to the content of the bill.”
Senate President
“Can we so do?”
Mike Peyrefitte
“Yes, Madam President, with due respect and with deference to you, I certainly won’t punch a wall and blame the police. But with due respect, Madam President, I think whenever we discuss a bill there’s always a buildup discussion that would lead to the overall concept of what this is. We see what the government is doing. We have to debate about what they are doing here. What they are doing here is coming to the honorable senate to provide for monies that have already been pledged.”
Senate President
“Senator Michael Peyrefitte, please be mindful of section two, and I bring it to your attention, you make mention that it is an expectation, which is so, that there would be a leading up to the bill, but this is no ordinary bill. This bill is here and we wish to focus solely on the content, simply because it cannot be said in this honorable chamber that anything can give the slightest indication of something that can unravel that is likely to be used by any of the parties in the court to support or undermine their case from either side.”
