Luis Fortuño
Encyclopedia
Luis Guillermo Fortuño Burset (born October 31, 1960) is the governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
, a territory of the United States of America. Fortuño is also the president of the New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico
(NPP), a member of the Republican National Committee
, and will be president of the Council of State Governments
during 2012. On June 26, 2011 he announced his plans to run for reelection.
In the 1990s, Fortuño served as the first Secretary of the Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce
as the Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company
and as the President of Puerto Rico's Hotel Development Corporation during the administration of Governor Pedro Rosselló
.
In 2003 Fortuño won the 2004 NPP nomination for Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico
in primaries against former Governor Carlos Romero Barceló
, former Senate President Charlie Rodriguez
and then senator Miriam Ramírez. He was then elected Resident Commissioner in 2004, defeating Senator Roberto Prats
. Fortuño represented Puerto Rico from 2005 to 2009 in the United States House of Representatives
, and served as Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Conference
, a Member of the newly-created United States House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Insular Affairs and co-chair, with Rep. Xavier Becerra
(D-CA), of the Friends of Spain Caucus.
Fortuño later won the NPP gubernatorial nomination by a wide margin after defeating former Governor and then-Senator Pedro Rosselló in the primaries
. He then won the race for Governor by a wide margin during the 2008 elections, defeating incumbent Governor Aníbal Acevedo Vilá
. Fortuño holds the distinction of being the first Republican
to be elected Governor of Puerto Rico since 1969, and the second Republican governor since 1949. He is also the first Republican representative from Puerto Rico to be elected to Congress in its history.
to Luis Fortuño Moscoso, a dentist and Shirley Joyce Burset de Mari. He is the eldest of four brothers. His maternal great grandfather was born in Marín, Pontevedra
, Galicia, Spain and emigrated to Yabucoa, Puerto Rico
.
(Marist School) in Guaynabo, graduating in 1978. He then earned a Bachelor of Science degree in diplomacy from the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service
at Georgetown University
. In 1985, he received his Juris Doctor
degree from the University of Virginia School of Law
. During this period, Fortuño was an intern at the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration in Washington, D.C.
While in college, Luis Fortuño co-founded the Puerto Rico Statehood Students Association
(PRSSA) with Kenneth McClintock
and presided it from 1980 to 1981. During the 1980 gubernatorial election recount, the more than 1,500 absentee ballots generated by PRSSA and Fortuño for incumbent Governor Carlos Romero Barceló
were an important factor in Romero Barceló's reelection, which was by approximately 3000 votes. Fortuño was also active in other pro-statehood youth organizations and in the Republican Party
. He is married to attorney Lucé Vela-Gutierrez
; they have triplets, María Luisa, Luis Roberto and Guillermo (born 1991) who are now college students at mainland U.S. universities.
Pedro Rosselló's administration. He was first appointed Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company
and President of Puerto Rico's Hotel Development Corporation (HDC). In 1994, he became Puerto Rico's first Secretary of the Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce
. Fortuño was tasked with the development and implementation of large-scale changes of Puerto Rico's tax, labor, corporate and commercial codes.
Fortuño was named 1996 Man of the Year by Caribbean Business, 1995 Public Servant of the Year by the Marketing Industry and Distribution of Food and Beverage Products Association of Puerto Rico, 1994 Public Servant of the Year by the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce, and 1994 Distinguished Executive by the Sales and Marketing Executives Association of Ponce and the Southern Region of Puerto Rico. He served on numerous boards of directors, including the Ana G. Méndez University System
and the Puerto Rico Museum of Art
. He is a member of the American Law Institute and the Urban Land Institute. In 1996, he served on the Platform Committee at the Republican National Convention
, where he was successful in including the support for self-determination and eventual statehood for Puerto Rico in the party platform. Fortuño resigned his cabinet posts after Rosselló's reelection in 1996 and returned to private law practice.
(6.29% of votes), and former Governor and Resident Commissioner Carlos Romero Barceló
(25.78% of votes). After winning the primary, he picked up momentum within the Republican Party ranks in the U.S. when he received the endorsement of Ed Gillespie
, head of the Republican National Committee
. Fortuño was the running mate of former Governor Rosselló, who returned for a third bid as the NPP's candidate for Governor.
In the elections of 2004, Fortuño was victorious (48.5% of votes) over his main rival candidate Roberto Prats
(48% of votes) of the Popular Democratic Party
(PDP). Fortuño's running mate, Pedro Rosselló, lost his bid for the governor's seat to then Resident Commissioner Aníbal Acevedo Vilá
by less than 4,000 votes. This meant that Fortuño would be the Resident Commissioner under Governor Acevedo Vilá of the PDP. This was the first time in Puerto Rican history
that the Governor of Puerto Rico and the Resident Commissioner were not from the same political party.
Upon the commencement of the 109th Congress, Fortuño was elected by his colleagues to serve as vice-president of the House Republican freshman class. He served as vice-chair of the Congressional Hispanic Conference
during the 109th Congress and as chair during the 110th Congress. Fortuño was Co-Chair of the Congressional Friends of Spain, part of the Hispanic Conference Caucus. House Resources Committee Ranking Member Don Young
appointed him in January 2007 as the Republican minority's Ranking Member in the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs for the 110th Congress. Fortuño cosponsored the Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2007, which would give Puerto Ricans the option to become a US state or sovereign state. In October, 2007, Fortuño filed legislation, along with Rep. Dana Rohrabacher
(R-CA) to assure the continued operation of the Arecibo Radiotelescope.
Fortuño was re-elected by the Republican Party of Puerto Rico
's General Assembly to continue serving as National Committeeman, a position he has held since 2001. He won reelection as National Committeeman in the GOP convention held on May 20, 2007 in Yauco, Puerto Rico
.
In 2007, Fortuño joined Rep. José Serrano
(D-NY) and 128 other co-sponsors in filing HR 900, the Puerto Rico Democracy Act
, to establish a self-determination process leading to political status change for Puerto Rico. The bill was amended and approved in a voice vote by the House's Committee on Resources on October 23, a major victory for Fortuño. However, as other political status bills in the past, the measure never made it to the President for his signature.
, Fortuño's likely opponent, would fare badly in the general election. Another poll released in May 2007 and taken by Kaagan Research Associates, Inc. at the request of El Nuevo Día
, a major circulation newspaper, showed Fortuño with a 46% to 25% advantage over incumbent Governor Acevedo Vilá. On May 16, 2007 poll also showed Fortuño winning a primary election against Pedro Rosselló 49% to 37%.
On February 19, 2007, Fortuño announced his candidacy for Governor of Puerto Rico
for the 2008 general election. He faced former 2004 running mate and former Gov. Pedro Juan Rosselló González in an NPP primary on March 9, 2008 which he won by a 60% to 40% margin.
On May 18, 2007 Fortuño announced that former Attorney General Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia would be his running mate and run for Fortuño's current office of Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico
. Pierluisi Urrutia was a classmate at Colegio Marista, a fellow member of the Puerto Rico Statehood Students Association
and also a fellow cabinet member of Fortuño's during former Governor Rosselló's first term from 1993 to 1996.
On March 9, 2008, Fortuño easily defeated Rosselló, sending the former Governor to the bleachers, and becoming the new president of the PNP and its official candidate for Governor. Fortuño won the candidacy by obtaining nearly 60% of primary votes. Fortuño's running mate and now official candidate for Resident Commissioner
, Pedro Pierluisi
, also won his primary.
On November 4, 2008, Fortuño became the ninth Governor
elect of Puerto Rico by popular election winning by over 220,000 votes, the largest victory margin in 44 years and giving the New Progressive Party its largest victory in history. Also he became the second governor to get more than a million votes, after Pedro Rosselló
's reelection in 1996. Accompanied with his victory, the party gained control of the legislature by historic margins and the majority of mayoralties, and with it the power to name 3 Supreme Court judges that for the first time in history would give NPP appointees a majority on the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico
. With this win the NPP also can name various long-term posts, including the Comptroller, the Ombudsman and the Director of the Government Ethics Office.
, Sila María Calderón
, Carlos Romero Barceló
and Rafael Hernández Colón
. Only former governor Rosselló, who did not publicly endorse him, failed to attend.
Following tradition, the event was initially led by the outgoing Secretary of State Fernando Bonilla
and then by incoming Secretary of State Kenneth McClintock
-Hernández. Among the thousands of attendees of the event were singer Marc Anthony
and his wife, actress and singer Jennifer López
, White House Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Director Janet Creighton and the head of Intergovernmental Affairs for President-Elect Barack Obama's transition team, Nick Rathod
. Foreign dignitaries included Dominican Republic
President Leonel Fernández
and the president of Dominica
, Nicholas Liverpool
. Following his inaugural address, Fortuño walked from the Capitol to La Fortaleza
. In the evening, a free concert in Old San Juan and a state dinner hosted by the new Secretary of State were held.
was the consensus selection as the new House Speaker. On November 9, he announced the appointment of outgoing Senate President Kenneth McClintock
as the head of the incoming administration's Transition Committee. On November 11, he began announcing the members of his Cabinet and other administration officials:
Of these, Secretary of State McClintock, Fortuño's first Attorney General, Sagardía, Police Superintendent José Figueroa Sancha
and Corrections Secretary Molina were the first to have been confirmed and formally sworn in.
At the halfway point of his current four-year term, Fortuño had retained 9 of the 14 members of his Constitutional Cabinet, the Secretaries of State, Labor, Transportation, Economic Development and Commerce, Agriculture, Corrections, Consumer Affairs, Natural Resources, and Sports and Recreation, as well as the Superintendent of Police.
Since September 2009, Governor Fortuño's personal security detail has been tightened since an incident at a press conference where a protester threw an egg at him, for which the aggressor, who refers to himself as "Tipo Común" (roughly translated to "Common Joe") was convicted and served time in jail.
On October 15, 2009, thousands of Puerto Rican workers and supporters gathered for what organizers tried to pass as a "general strike" over government budget cuts. Puerto Rico's unemployment rate, currently exceeds 16.7 percent (June, 2010), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Fortuño administration expected the layoffs to propel that rate to 17.1 percent (the unemployment rate for April 2010 was 17.2).
On August 26, 2010, teachers unions staged one day walkout to protest what they say is Fortuño' plans to privatize employee pensions, a shortage of teachers and the deterioration of the school system. The walkout was the largest labor protest in public schools on the island since a 10-day strike in 2008 as teachers demanded improved wages and working conditions.
As a result of all the cost-cutting measures taken during his first two years in office, on January 31, 2011, Gov. Fortuño signed Law 1 of 2011, the new Internal Revenue Code that provides, retroactive to January 1, 2010, tax relief including a 50% tax cut for individuals and 30% for businesses, beginning with a 7-14% tax cut for individuals and a 7% tax cut for businesses effective during tax year 2010. The supposed savings to the tax-payers was a kickback to the thousands in two controversial new taxes, the CRIM (a sort of property tax) consisting of $600 per year to home owners and a $800 tax to students who attended Public Universities in Puerto Rico. The average yearly cost of the tax cuts amounts to $1.2 billion.
Contrary to Republican standards, Luis Fortuno has imposed more than 19 new taxes to the people of Puerto Rico, yet has promised to "give back" a small portion of that which he has taken from the pockets of the residents of Puerto Rico.
Fortuño has also been mentioned by Chris Ruddy, CEO of Newsmax Media
, as someone to look for in the future on the national political stage. George Will
endorsed Fortuño's support for statehood as a national Republican strategy.
In early 2011, he was the only governor invited to speak at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California
at the Heritage Foundation
-sponsored retreat for Republican members of Congress.
His June 26, 2011 announcement in Bayamón
that he will seek a second term as Governor of Puerto Rico suggests that he will not aspire to national office in 2012.
nominated Governor Fortuño to the Council of Governors, a bipartisan commission aimed at improving coordination of efforts between state and federal agencies to address matters of defense and national security.
(CSG), the first Puerto Rican to hold a leadership position in that intergovernmental organization since his now Secretary of State, Kenneth McClintock
, served as chairman in 1999. CSG represents the three branches of government of the 55 states and territories of the nation. Several Canadian provinces are international members of the organization, as well. On October 22, 2011 he was chosen President of CSG for 2012.
and unveiled his new initiative, which will serve as the organization’s policy focus for the year, to create jobs and spur economies in the Southern region by increasing trade, investment and exports with Latin America.
The initiative, titled “Growth Beyond Our Borders,” will focus on creating jobs and increasing exports from Southern states and territories by the end of 2012 by enabling private sector businesses and entrepreneurs to tap into dynamic and emerging Latin American markets, which represent 550 million prospective clients.
The association’s membership is composed of the Governors of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia and West Virginia.
, he led a celebration of the life of Puerto Rico's first governor Juan Ponce de León
in Santervás de Campos
, near Valladolid
on January 21, 2011. He also spoke that day at the Universidad de Valladolid.
in 2009.
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Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
, a territory of the United States of America. Fortuño is also the president of the New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico
New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico
The New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico is a political party that advocates for Puerto Rico's admission to the United States of America as the 51st state...
(NPP), a member of the Republican National Committee
Republican National Committee
The Republican National Committee is an American political committee that provides national leadership for the Republican Party of the United States. It is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican political platform, as well as coordinating fundraising and election strategy. It is...
, and will be president of the Council of State Governments
Council of State Governments
The Council of State Governments is a nonpartisan non-profit organization in the United States serving the state governments. It serves state legislatures, state courts, and executive branch officials and agencies, and is the only multi-branch organization of state governments in the United...
during 2012. On June 26, 2011 he announced his plans to run for reelection.
In the 1990s, Fortuño served as the first Secretary of the Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce
Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce
The Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce was created by Governor Pedro Rosselló in 1994 as an "umbrella" under which several economic development agencies would operate in a more coordinated fashion...
as the Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company
Puerto Rico Tourism Company
The Puerto Rico Tourism Company was created during Governor Luis A. Ferré's administration to coordinate the marketing and growth of Puerto Rico's tourism sector...
and as the President of Puerto Rico's Hotel Development Corporation during the administration of Governor Pedro Rosselló
Pedro Rosselló
Pedro Juan Rosselló González, M.D., , is a Puerto Rican physician and politician who served as the sixth Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico from 1993 to 2001...
.
In 2003 Fortuño won the 2004 NPP nomination for Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico
Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico
The Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico is a non-voting member of the United States House of Representatives elected by the voters of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico every four years...
in primaries against former Governor Carlos Romero Barceló
Carlos Romero Barceló
Carlos Antonio Romero Barceló is a Puerto Rican politician who served as the fifth Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the second governor to be elected from the New Progressive Party and also Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico from 1993 to 2001, making him one of the more successful...
, former Senate President Charlie Rodriguez
Charlie Rodríguez
Charles "Charlie" Rodríguez is a New York City-born Puerto Rican politician affiliated with the New Progressive Party . He served as the eleventh President of the Senate of Puerto Rico from 1997 until 2000.-Early life:...
and then senator Miriam Ramírez. He was then elected Resident Commissioner in 2004, defeating Senator Roberto Prats
Roberto Prats
Roberto Prats Palerm is a former Senator of Puerto Rico, a lawyer, and a former candidate for Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico in the elections of 2004...
. Fortuño represented Puerto Rico from 2005 to 2009 in the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
, and served as Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Conference
Congressional Hispanic Conference
The Congressional Hispanic Conference is a Republican Party-controlled caucus in the United States Congress. The CHC was formed in 2003, with the stated goal of promoting policy outcomes of importance to Americans of Hispanic or Latino and Portuguese descent. These priorities included support of...
, a Member of the newly-created United States House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Insular Affairs and co-chair, with Rep. Xavier Becerra
Xavier Becerra
Xavier Becerra is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district is based in Los Angeles.-Early life, education and career:...
(D-CA), of the Friends of Spain Caucus.
Fortuño later won the NPP gubernatorial nomination by a wide margin after defeating former Governor and then-Senator Pedro Rosselló in the primaries
New Progressive Party (Puerto Rico) primaries, 2008
The 2008 New Progressive Party primaries were the selection process by which members of the New Progressive Party choose their candidates for the 2008 Puerto Rican general election...
. He then won the race for Governor by a wide margin during the 2008 elections, defeating incumbent Governor Aníbal Acevedo Vilá
Aníbal Acevedo Vilá
Aníbal Salvador Acevedo Vilá is a Puerto Rican politician and lawyer. He served as the eighth Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a Commonwealth of the United States, from 2005 to 2009. He is a Harvard University alumnus and a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico School of Law,...
. Fortuño holds the distinction of being the first Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
to be elected Governor of Puerto Rico since 1969, and the second Republican governor since 1949. He is also the first Republican representative from Puerto Rico to be elected to Congress in its history.
Early life and family
Fortuño was born in San Juan, Puerto RicoSan Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
to Luis Fortuño Moscoso, a dentist and Shirley Joyce Burset de Mari. He is the eldest of four brothers. His maternal great grandfather was born in Marín, Pontevedra
Marín, Pontevedra
Marín is a municipality in Galicia, Spain in the province of Pontevedra. In this town is settled the Spanish Navy as the “Escuela Naval Militar de Oficiales of Marin is located here.-Demographics:Population growth....
, Galicia, Spain and emigrated to Yabucoa, Puerto Rico
Yabucoa, Puerto Rico
Yabucoa is a small town in the south eastern tip of Puerto Rico located in the southeastern region, north of Maunabo; south of San Lorenzo, Las Piedras and Humacao; and east of Patillas and about one hour from San Juan. Yabucoa is spread over 9 wards and Yabucoa Pueblo...
.
Education
Fortuño attended Colegio MaristaColegio Marista Guaynabo
Colegio Marista Guaynabo is a Roman Catholic coeducational school in Puerto Rico.-History:In 1963, a group of families interested in having a catholic education for their boys, expressed their interest to the Archbishop of San Juan, Monsignor Jaime Davila for the creation of the school.On...
(Marist School) in Guaynabo, graduating in 1978. He then earned a Bachelor of Science degree in diplomacy from the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service
Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service
The Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service is a school within Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., United States. Jesuit priest Edmund A...
at Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
. In 1985, he received his Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
degree from the University of Virginia School of Law
University of Virginia School of Law
The University of Virginia School of Law was founded in Charlottesville in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson as one of the original subjects taught at his "academical village," the University of Virginia. The law school maintains an enrollment of approximately 1,100 students in its initial degree program...
. During this period, Fortuño was an intern at the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
While in college, Luis Fortuño co-founded the Puerto Rico Statehood Students Association
Puerto Rico Statehood Students Association
The Puerto Rico Statehood Students Association, Inc. , based in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is an American non-profit student organization dedicated to promoting statehood for Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States...
(PRSSA) with Kenneth McClintock
Kenneth McClintock
Kenneth D. McClintock-Hernández is the current Secretary of State of Puerto Rico. Mr. McClintock served as co-chair of Hillary Clinton presidential campaign's National Hispanic Leadership Council in 2008, co-chaired Clinton's successful Puerto Rico primary campaign that year and served as the...
and presided it from 1980 to 1981. During the 1980 gubernatorial election recount, the more than 1,500 absentee ballots generated by PRSSA and Fortuño for incumbent Governor Carlos Romero Barceló
Carlos Romero Barceló
Carlos Antonio Romero Barceló is a Puerto Rican politician who served as the fifth Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the second governor to be elected from the New Progressive Party and also Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico from 1993 to 2001, making him one of the more successful...
were an important factor in Romero Barceló's reelection, which was by approximately 3000 votes. Fortuño was also active in other pro-statehood youth organizations and in the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
. He is married to attorney Lucé Vela-Gutierrez
Lucé Vela
Lucé Vela Gutierrez is the wife of Governor of Puerto Rico Luis Fortuño and has been serving as First Lady since her husband was sworn in 2009.-Education:...
; they have triplets, María Luisa, Luis Roberto and Guillermo (born 1991) who are now college students at mainland U.S. universities.
Public service
Fortuño entered public service in 1993 at the start of GovernorGovernor of Puerto Rico
The Governor of Puerto Rico is the Head of Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Since 1948, the Governor has been elected by the people of Puerto Rico...
Pedro Rosselló's administration. He was first appointed Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company
Puerto Rico Tourism Company
The Puerto Rico Tourism Company was created during Governor Luis A. Ferré's administration to coordinate the marketing and growth of Puerto Rico's tourism sector...
and President of Puerto Rico's Hotel Development Corporation (HDC). In 1994, he became Puerto Rico's first Secretary of the Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce
Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce
The Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce was created by Governor Pedro Rosselló in 1994 as an "umbrella" under which several economic development agencies would operate in a more coordinated fashion...
. Fortuño was tasked with the development and implementation of large-scale changes of Puerto Rico's tax, labor, corporate and commercial codes.
Fortuño was named 1996 Man of the Year by Caribbean Business, 1995 Public Servant of the Year by the Marketing Industry and Distribution of Food and Beverage Products Association of Puerto Rico, 1994 Public Servant of the Year by the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce, and 1994 Distinguished Executive by the Sales and Marketing Executives Association of Ponce and the Southern Region of Puerto Rico. He served on numerous boards of directors, including the Ana G. Méndez University System
Ana G. Mendez University System
The Ana G. Méndez University System —or Sistema Universitario Ana G. Méndez in Spanish— is a private institution of higher education in Puerto Rico...
and the Puerto Rico Museum of Art
Puerto Rico Museum of Art
The Museum of Art of Puerto Rico is one of the most prestigious art museums in Puerto Rico.-History:...
. He is a member of the American Law Institute and the Urban Land Institute. In 1996, he served on the Platform Committee at the Republican National Convention
Republican National Convention
The Republican National Convention is the presidential nominating convention of the Republican Party of the United States. Convened by the Republican National Committee, the stated purpose of the convocation is to nominate an official candidate in an upcoming U.S...
, where he was successful in including the support for self-determination and eventual statehood for Puerto Rico in the party platform. Fortuño resigned his cabinet posts after Rosselló's reelection in 1996 and returned to private law practice.
Private practice
Following public service, Fortuño was a partner at the San Juan law firm, Correa, Collazo, Herrero, Jiménez & Fortuño, specializing in corporate finance and real estate law. Prior to joining Correa, Collazo, Herrero, Jiménez & Fortuño, he was a partner at McConnell Valdés. He was briefly mentioned as a possible candidate for Governor of Puerto Rico in 1999 for the New Progressive Party after Governor Rosselló announced he would not seek a third term in the 2000 election cycle.2004 campaign for Resident Commissioner
Fortuño decided to seek the New Progressive Party's nomination for the post of Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico late in the primary season. He won the November 2003 primaries with 61.28% of votes and defeated former senator Miriam Ramirez de Ferrer (4.26% of votes), former Senate President Charlie RodriguezCharlie Rodríguez
Charles "Charlie" Rodríguez is a New York City-born Puerto Rican politician affiliated with the New Progressive Party . He served as the eleventh President of the Senate of Puerto Rico from 1997 until 2000.-Early life:...
(6.29% of votes), and former Governor and Resident Commissioner Carlos Romero Barceló
Carlos Romero Barceló
Carlos Antonio Romero Barceló is a Puerto Rican politician who served as the fifth Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the second governor to be elected from the New Progressive Party and also Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico from 1993 to 2001, making him one of the more successful...
(25.78% of votes). After winning the primary, he picked up momentum within the Republican Party ranks in the U.S. when he received the endorsement of Ed Gillespie
Ed Gillespie
Edward W. Gillespie is an American Republican political strategist and former Counselor to the President in the George W. Bush White House. Gillespie, along with Jack Quinn, former Chief of Staff to Vice President Al Gore, founded Quinn Gillespie & Associates, a bipartisan lobbying firm...
, head of the Republican National Committee
Republican National Committee
The Republican National Committee is an American political committee that provides national leadership for the Republican Party of the United States. It is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican political platform, as well as coordinating fundraising and election strategy. It is...
. Fortuño was the running mate of former Governor Rosselló, who returned for a third bid as the NPP's candidate for Governor.
In the elections of 2004, Fortuño was victorious (48.5% of votes) over his main rival candidate Roberto Prats
Roberto Prats
Roberto Prats Palerm is a former Senator of Puerto Rico, a lawyer, and a former candidate for Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico in the elections of 2004...
(48% of votes) of the Popular Democratic Party
Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico
The Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico is a political party that supports Puerto Rico's right to self-determination and sovereignty, through the enhancement of Puerto Rico's current status as a commonwealth....
(PDP). Fortuño's running mate, Pedro Rosselló, lost his bid for the governor's seat to then Resident Commissioner Aníbal Acevedo Vilá
Aníbal Acevedo Vilá
Aníbal Salvador Acevedo Vilá is a Puerto Rican politician and lawyer. He served as the eighth Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a Commonwealth of the United States, from 2005 to 2009. He is a Harvard University alumnus and a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico School of Law,...
by less than 4,000 votes. This meant that Fortuño would be the Resident Commissioner under Governor Acevedo Vilá of the PDP. This was the first time in Puerto Rican history
History of Puerto Rico
The history of Puerto Rico began with the settlement of the archipelago of Puerto Rico by the Ortoiroid people between 3000 and 2000 BC. Other tribes, such as the Saladoid and Arawak Indians, populated the island between 430 BC and 1000 AD. At the time of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New...
that the Governor of Puerto Rico and the Resident Commissioner were not from the same political party.
Resident Commissioner
Congressional Hispanic Conference
The Congressional Hispanic Conference is a Republican Party-controlled caucus in the United States Congress. The CHC was formed in 2003, with the stated goal of promoting policy outcomes of importance to Americans of Hispanic or Latino and Portuguese descent. These priorities included support of...
during the 109th Congress and as chair during the 110th Congress. Fortuño was Co-Chair of the Congressional Friends of Spain, part of the Hispanic Conference Caucus. House Resources Committee Ranking Member Don Young
Don Young
Donald Edwin "Don" Young is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1973. He is a member of the Republican Party.Young is the 6th most senior U.S. Representative and the 2nd most senior Republican Representative, as well as the 2nd most senior Republican in Congress as a whole...
appointed him in January 2007 as the Republican minority's Ranking Member in the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs for the 110th Congress. Fortuño cosponsored the Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2007, which would give Puerto Ricans the option to become a US state or sovereign state. In October, 2007, Fortuño filed legislation, along with Rep. Dana Rohrabacher
Dana Rohrabacher
Dana Tyron Rohrabacher is the U.S. Representative for , and previously the 45th and 42nd, serving since 1989. He is a member of the Republican Party...
(R-CA) to assure the continued operation of the Arecibo Radiotelescope.
Fortuño was re-elected by the Republican Party of Puerto Rico
Republican Party (Puerto Rico)
The Republican Party is a political party in Puerto Rico, and the affiliate of the national Republican Party of United States. The party supports statehood for the island. Carlos Méndez, the Mayor of Aguadilla, is the local chairman and the party is based in San Juan, Puerto Rico.Luis G...
's General Assembly to continue serving as National Committeeman, a position he has held since 2001. He won reelection as National Committeeman in the GOP convention held on May 20, 2007 in Yauco, Puerto Rico
Yauco, Puerto Rico
Yauco is a city and municipality in southwestern Puerto Rico located in the southern coast of the island by the Caribbean, south of Maricao, Lares and Adjuntas; east of Sabana Grande and Guánica; and west of Guayanilla. Yauco is spread over 20 wards and Yauco Pueblo...
.
In 2007, Fortuño joined Rep. José Serrano
José Serrano
José Enrique Serrano is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1990. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
(D-NY) and 128 other co-sponsors in filing HR 900, the Puerto Rico Democracy Act
Puerto Rico Democracy Act
The Puerto Rico Democracy Act is a bill to provide for a federally sanctioned self-determination process for the people of Puerto Rico.This act would provide for plebiscites to be held in Puerto Rico to determine the island's ultimate political status. The bill was approved by the House of...
, to establish a self-determination process leading to political status change for Puerto Rico. The bill was amended and approved in a voice vote by the House's Committee on Resources on October 23, a major victory for Fortuño. However, as other political status bills in the past, the measure never made it to the President for his signature.
Gubernatorial campaign
A poll taken before Fortuño Burset announced his gubernatorial bid in February 2007 suggests he is the most well-liked public figure in the NPP. The poll, taken by Gaither International at the request of Caribbean Business newspaper, indicated that Governor Aníbal Acevedo ViláAníbal Acevedo Vilá
Aníbal Salvador Acevedo Vilá is a Puerto Rican politician and lawyer. He served as the eighth Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a Commonwealth of the United States, from 2005 to 2009. He is a Harvard University alumnus and a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico School of Law,...
, Fortuño's likely opponent, would fare badly in the general election. Another poll released in May 2007 and taken by Kaagan Research Associates, Inc. at the request of El Nuevo Día
El Nuevo Día
El Nuevo Día is a Puerto Rican newspaper based in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico and distributed daily throughout Puerto Rico and some parts of the United States.- History :...
, a major circulation newspaper, showed Fortuño with a 46% to 25% advantage over incumbent Governor Acevedo Vilá. On May 16, 2007 poll also showed Fortuño winning a primary election against Pedro Rosselló 49% to 37%.
On February 19, 2007, Fortuño announced his candidacy for Governor of Puerto Rico
Governor of Puerto Rico
The Governor of Puerto Rico is the Head of Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Since 1948, the Governor has been elected by the people of Puerto Rico...
for the 2008 general election. He faced former 2004 running mate and former Gov. Pedro Juan Rosselló González in an NPP primary on March 9, 2008 which he won by a 60% to 40% margin.
On May 18, 2007 Fortuño announced that former Attorney General Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia would be his running mate and run for Fortuño's current office of Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico
Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico
The Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico is a non-voting member of the United States House of Representatives elected by the voters of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico every four years...
. Pierluisi Urrutia was a classmate at Colegio Marista, a fellow member of the Puerto Rico Statehood Students Association
Puerto Rico Statehood Students Association
The Puerto Rico Statehood Students Association, Inc. , based in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is an American non-profit student organization dedicated to promoting statehood for Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States...
and also a fellow cabinet member of Fortuño's during former Governor Rosselló's first term from 1993 to 1996.
On March 9, 2008, Fortuño easily defeated Rosselló, sending the former Governor to the bleachers, and becoming the new president of the PNP and its official candidate for Governor. Fortuño won the candidacy by obtaining nearly 60% of primary votes. Fortuño's running mate and now official candidate for Resident Commissioner
Resident Commissioner
Resident Commissioner is the title of several, quite different types of Commissioner in overseas possession or protectorate of the British Crown or of the United States.-British English:...
, Pedro Pierluisi
Pedro Pierluisi
Pedro R. Pierluisi Urrutia is a Puerto Rican lawyer and politician affiliated with the New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico and the United States Democratic Party...
, also won his primary.
On November 4, 2008, Fortuño became the ninth Governor
Governor of Puerto Rico
The Governor of Puerto Rico is the Head of Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Since 1948, the Governor has been elected by the people of Puerto Rico...
elect of Puerto Rico by popular election winning by over 220,000 votes, the largest victory margin in 44 years and giving the New Progressive Party its largest victory in history. Also he became the second governor to get more than a million votes, after Pedro Rosselló
Pedro Rosselló
Pedro Juan Rosselló González, M.D., , is a Puerto Rican physician and politician who served as the sixth Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico from 1993 to 2001...
's reelection in 1996. Accompanied with his victory, the party gained control of the legislature by historic margins and the majority of mayoralties, and with it the power to name 3 Supreme Court judges that for the first time in history would give NPP appointees a majority on the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico
Supreme Court of Puerto Rico
The Supreme Court of Puerto Rico is the highest court of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, having judicial authority within Puerto Rico to interpret and decide questions of Commonwealth law. As the highest body of the judicial branch of the Puerto Rican government, it is analogous to one of the...
. With this win the NPP also can name various long-term posts, including the Comptroller, the Ombudsman and the Director of the Government Ethics Office.
Gubernatorial inauguration
Gov. Fortuño was sworn into office on January 2, 2009, at a ceremony attended by five of the U.S. territory's six living governors, Fortuño, Aníbal Acevedo ViláAníbal Acevedo Vilá
Aníbal Salvador Acevedo Vilá is a Puerto Rican politician and lawyer. He served as the eighth Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a Commonwealth of the United States, from 2005 to 2009. He is a Harvard University alumnus and a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico School of Law,...
, Sila María Calderón
Sila María Calderón
Sila María Calderón Serra is a Puerto Rican politician and businesswoman who served as the seventh Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico from 2001 to 2005. She is the first and, to date, only woman elected to that office...
, Carlos Romero Barceló
Carlos Romero Barceló
Carlos Antonio Romero Barceló is a Puerto Rican politician who served as the fifth Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the second governor to be elected from the New Progressive Party and also Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico from 1993 to 2001, making him one of the more successful...
and Rafael Hernández Colón
Rafael Hernández Colón
Rafael Hernández Colón is a Puerto Rican politician who served as the fourth Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for three non-consecutive terms, from 1973 to 1977 and from 1985 to 1993. An experienced politician, Hernández holds the record for being the youngest Governor of Puerto Rico,...
. Only former governor Rosselló, who did not publicly endorse him, failed to attend.
Following tradition, the event was initially led by the outgoing Secretary of State Fernando Bonilla
Fernando Bonilla
Fernando J. Bonilla is a Puerto Rican political figure and served as the 21st Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Bonilla also served as the Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Ports Authority....
and then by incoming Secretary of State Kenneth McClintock
Kenneth McClintock
Kenneth D. McClintock-Hernández is the current Secretary of State of Puerto Rico. Mr. McClintock served as co-chair of Hillary Clinton presidential campaign's National Hispanic Leadership Council in 2008, co-chaired Clinton's successful Puerto Rico primary campaign that year and served as the...
-Hernández. Among the thousands of attendees of the event were singer Marc Anthony
Marc Anthony
Marc Anthony is an American singer-songwriter, actor and producer. Anthony is the top selling tropical salsa artist of all time. The two-time Grammy and three-time Latin Grammy–winner has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. He is best known for his Latin salsa numbers and ballads...
and his wife, actress and singer Jennifer López
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lynn Lopez is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality, and fashion designer. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color. Subsequently venturing into acting, she gained recognition in the 1995 action-thriller...
, White House Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Director Janet Creighton and the head of Intergovernmental Affairs for President-Elect Barack Obama's transition team, Nick Rathod
Nick Rathod
Nicholas Rathod is U.S. President Barack Obama's Associate Director for Intergovernmental Affairs in the Office of the President, serving directly under Cecilia Muñoz, the Director for Intergovernmental Affairs....
. Foreign dignitaries included Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
President Leonel Fernández
Leonel Fernández
Leonel Antonio Fernández Reyna is a Dominican lawyer, academic, and the current President of the Dominican Republic since 2004. He held the same office from 1996 to 2000...
and the president of Dominica
Dominica
Dominica , officially the Commonwealth of Dominica, is an island nation in the Lesser Antilles region of the Caribbean Sea, south-southeast of Guadeloupe and northwest of Martinique. Its size is and the highest point in the country is Morne Diablotins, which has an elevation of . The Commonwealth...
, Nicholas Liverpool
Nicholas Liverpool
Nicholas Joseph Orville Liverpool is a Dominican politician and jurist who has served as the sixth President of Dominica since October 2, 2003....
. Following his inaugural address, Fortuño walked from the Capitol to La Fortaleza
La Fortaleza
La Fortaleza is the current official residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico. It was built between 1533 and 1540 to defend the harbor of San Juan. The structure is also known as Palacio de Santa Catalina . It is the oldest executive mansion in the New World...
. In the evening, a free concert in Old San Juan and a state dinner hosted by the new Secretary of State were held.
Emerging administration
Immediately after the November 4, 2008 general election, Governor-Elect Fortuño began the formation of an emerging administration. On November 7, even though he opposed the selection of Thomas Rivera Schatz-Ally of Pedro Rosello' as the new Senate President. The will of the Pedro Rosello' Democratic side of the NPP won and Thomas Rivera Schatz was selected as the Senate President. Representative Jennifer GonzálezJennifer González
Jenniffer A. González Colón is a Puerto Rican politician who serves as the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico, a commonwealth with the United States. She is affiliated with the pro-statehood New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico and the United States Republican Party...
was the consensus selection as the new House Speaker. On November 9, he announced the appointment of outgoing Senate President Kenneth McClintock
Kenneth McClintock
Kenneth D. McClintock-Hernández is the current Secretary of State of Puerto Rico. Mr. McClintock served as co-chair of Hillary Clinton presidential campaign's National Hispanic Leadership Council in 2008, co-chaired Clinton's successful Puerto Rico primary campaign that year and served as the...
as the head of the incoming administration's Transition Committee. On November 11, he began announcing the members of his Cabinet and other administration officials:
Administration, Cabinet, and Supreme Court appointments 2009-present
| The Fortuño Cabinet | ||
|---|---|---|
| OFFICE | NAME | TERM |
| Governor Governor of Puerto Rico The Governor of Puerto Rico is the Head of Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Since 1948, the Governor has been elected by the people of Puerto Rico... |
Luis G. Fortuño | 2009–present |
| Secretary of State Secretary of State of Puerto Rico The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico provides for the position of Secretary of State of Puerto Rico who is first in line to exercise the role of acting Governor when the Governor is temporarily unavailable, whether because of being away from Puerto Rico or due to another temporary... |
Kenneth McClintock Kenneth McClintock Kenneth D. McClintock-Hernández is the current Secretary of State of Puerto Rico. Mr. McClintock served as co-chair of Hillary Clinton presidential campaign's National Hispanic Leadership Council in 2008, co-chaired Clinton's successful Puerto Rico primary campaign that year and served as the... |
2009–present |
| Justice | Antonio Sagardía Antonio Sagardía Antonio Sagardía-De Jesús served as Attorney General of Puerto Rico, appointed by Governor Luis Fortuño and sworn in by Secretary of State Kenneth McClintock on January 2, 2009. He resigned effective December 23, 2009.-Controversies:In May 2009 Mr... |
2009 |
| Rosa E. Rodriguez | 2011– de facto | |
| Treasury | Juan Carlos Puig Juan Carlos Puig Juan Carlos Puig was Governor Luis Fortuño's first Secretary of the Treasury of Puerto Rico, sworn in on January 2, 2009 by Secretary of State Kenneth McClintock. As such, Puig was second-in-line of succession of the governorship, should Fortuño, McClintock and the Attorney General not be... |
2009–2011 |
| Jesús F. Méndez Jesús F. Méndez Jesús F. Méndez-Rodríguez serves as the current Secretary of the Treasury of Puerto Rico. Nominated by Governor Luis Fortuño to a recess appointment in January, 2011, when his predecessor, Juan Carlos Puig, was appointed to become the first Inspector General of Puerto Rico, he was subsequently... |
2011–present | |
| Education | Carlos A. Chardón Carlos A. Chardón for Dr. Carlos E. Chardón, the first Puerto Rican mycologist and the first Puerto Rican to hold the position of Chancellor of the University of Puerto Rico, see: Carlos E. Chardón.Dr. Carlos A... |
2009 |
| Odette Piñero | 2009–2010 | |
| Jesús Rivera-Sánchez | 2010–2011 | |
| Labor | Miguel Romero Miguel Romero Miguel Alberto Romero is the 19th and current Puerto Rico Secretary of Labor, serving in the Governor Luis Fortuño Administration.-Early Life and education:... |
2009–present |
| Transportation | Rubén Hernández Gregorat | 2009–present |
| Economic Development | José Ramón Perez-Riera | 2009–present |
| Health | Jaime Rivera Dueño | 2009 |
| Iván González Cancel Ivan Gonzalez Cancel Ivan F. Gonzalez Cancel is a prominent Cardiovascular and Heart Transplant Surgeon. He is credited for having performed the first heart transplant surgery in Puerto Rico.-Early life:... |
2009 | |
| Lorenzo González | 2009–present | |
| Agriculture | Javier Rivera Aquino Javier Rivera Aquino Javier Rivera Aquino, an agronomist and farmer is the Secretary of Agriculture of Puerto Rico, appointed by Governor Luis Fortuño and sworn in by Secretary of State Kenneth McClintock on January 2, 2009.... |
2009–present |
| Family | Miguel Maldonado | 2009 |
| Yanitzia Irizarry | 2009–present | |
| Corrections | Carlos Molina | 2009–2011 |
| Consumer Affairs | Luis G. Rivera-Marín | 2009–present |
| Housing | Yesef Cordero | 2009–2010 |
| Miguel Hernández-Vivoni | 2010–present | |
| Natural Resources | Daniel Galán Kercadó | 2009–present |
| Sports and Recreation | Henry Neumann | 2009–present |
| Chief of Staff | Juan Carlos Blanco | 2009 |
| Marcos Rodríguez-Ema | 2009–present | |
| OMB | María Sánchez Bras | 2009–2011 |
| Juan Carlos Pavía-Vidal | 2011- | |
| President President A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership... of the Government Development Bank of Puerto Rico |
Carlos M. García | 2009–2011 |
| Juan Carlos Batlle | 2011- | |
| Inspector General Inspector General An Inspector General is an investigative official in a civil or military organization. The plural of the term is Inspectors General.-Bangladesh:... |
Juan Carlos Puig | 2011 |
| Police | José Figueroa Sancha José Figueroa Sancha José Figueroa Sancha is a former Superintendent of the Puerto Rico Police Department and former Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations in Puerto Rico... |
2009–2011 |
| Emilio Díaz Colón Emilio Díaz Colón Major General Emilio Díaz Colón , is a former United States National Guard officer who served as the Adjutant General of the Puerto Rican National Guard... |
2011- | |
| Associate Justices | Rafael Martínez Torres Rafael Martínez Torres Rafael Martínez Torres is a Puerto Rican jurist. Since 2009 he has served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico.-Early life and education:... |
2009–present |
| Mildred Pabón Charneco | 2009–present | |
| Erick Kolthoff Erick Kolthoff Erick Kolthoff-Caraballo is an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico.Prior to being appointed on February 4, 2009 to the Supreme Court by Governor Luis Fortuño he had been appointed by former Governor Aníbal Acevedo Vilá as a Superior Court judge, for which he was unanimously... |
2009–present | |
| Edgardo Rivera | 2010–present | |
| Roberto Feliberty | 2011–present | |
| Luis Estrella Martínez Luis Estrella Martínez Attorney Luis Estrella-Martínez, born on November 17, 1971 in Puerto Rico, has been nominated by Governor Luis Fortuño to become the youngest Associate Justice of the current Supreme Court of Puerto Rico. Confirmed by the Senate on May 11, 2011, he took office on May 25, 2011 at the age of 39 and... |
2011–present | |
| Comptroller | Yesmín Valdivieso | 2010–2020 |
| Ethics Director | Zulma Rosario | 2009–2019 |
| Ombudsman | Iris Miriam Ruiz | 2010–2020 |
Of these, Secretary of State McClintock, Fortuño's first Attorney General, Sagardía, Police Superintendent José Figueroa Sancha
José Figueroa Sancha
José Figueroa Sancha is a former Superintendent of the Puerto Rico Police Department and former Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations in Puerto Rico...
and Corrections Secretary Molina were the first to have been confirmed and formally sworn in.
At the halfway point of his current four-year term, Fortuño had retained 9 of the 14 members of his Constitutional Cabinet, the Secretaries of State, Labor, Transportation, Economic Development and Commerce, Agriculture, Corrections, Consumer Affairs, Natural Resources, and Sports and Recreation, as well as the Superintendent of Police.
Economic crisis
In a televised speech on March 3, 2009, 60 days after having been sworn in, Governor Fortuño announced his Fiscal and Economic Recovery Plan which included reducing the government's annual expenditures by more than $2 billion at the start of the next fiscal year in July 2009. Media speculation estimated that a reduction of such magnitude would require permanently laying off over 30,000 government workers. On May 1, 2009, a mass of workers marched through the streets of San Juan in response to the governor's plan, protesting the government's preparation for impending layoffs. Most of the frustration of the Puerto Rican constituents was due to the then candidate Luis Fortuno swearing that he would not lay off a single employee (other than the incumbent Anibal Acevedo Vila) and as soon as he took office the first decision was the firing of 30,000 government employees.Since September 2009, Governor Fortuño's personal security detail has been tightened since an incident at a press conference where a protester threw an egg at him, for which the aggressor, who refers to himself as "Tipo Común" (roughly translated to "Common Joe") was convicted and served time in jail.
On October 15, 2009, thousands of Puerto Rican workers and supporters gathered for what organizers tried to pass as a "general strike" over government budget cuts. Puerto Rico's unemployment rate, currently exceeds 16.7 percent (June, 2010), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Fortuño administration expected the layoffs to propel that rate to 17.1 percent (the unemployment rate for April 2010 was 17.2).
On August 26, 2010, teachers unions staged one day walkout to protest what they say is Fortuño' plans to privatize employee pensions, a shortage of teachers and the deterioration of the school system. The walkout was the largest labor protest in public schools on the island since a 10-day strike in 2008 as teachers demanded improved wages and working conditions.
As a result of all the cost-cutting measures taken during his first two years in office, on January 31, 2011, Gov. Fortuño signed Law 1 of 2011, the new Internal Revenue Code that provides, retroactive to January 1, 2010, tax relief including a 50% tax cut for individuals and 30% for businesses, beginning with a 7-14% tax cut for individuals and a 7% tax cut for businesses effective during tax year 2010. The supposed savings to the tax-payers was a kickback to the thousands in two controversial new taxes, the CRIM (a sort of property tax) consisting of $600 per year to home owners and a $800 tax to students who attended Public Universities in Puerto Rico. The average yearly cost of the tax cuts amounts to $1.2 billion.
Contrary to Republican standards, Luis Fortuno has imposed more than 19 new taxes to the people of Puerto Rico, yet has promised to "give back" a small portion of that which he has taken from the pockets of the residents of Puerto Rico.
Rumored potential candidacy for U.S. president
Governor Fortuño has been mentioned more than once as a long-shot potential candidate for nomination for President or Vice President in 2012 and his frequent campaign trips to the mainland during the 2010 congressional races have been linked to potential national aspirations.Fortuño has also been mentioned by Chris Ruddy, CEO of Newsmax Media
NewsMax Media
Newsmax Media is a conservative American news media organization founded by Christopher W. Ruddy and based in West Palm Beach, Florida. It operates the news website Newsmax.com and publishes Newsmax Magazine.Christopher W...
, as someone to look for in the future on the national political stage. George Will
George Will
George Frederick Will is an American newspaper columnist, journalist, and author. He is a Pulitzer Prize-winner best known for his conservative commentary on politics...
endorsed Fortuño's support for statehood as a national Republican strategy.
In early 2011, he was the only governor invited to speak at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California
Simi Valley, California
-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Simi Valley had a population of 124,237. The population density was 2,940.8 people per square mile...
at the Heritage Foundation
Heritage Foundation
The Heritage Foundation is a conservative American think tank based in Washington, D.C. Heritage's stated mission is to "formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong...
-sponsored retreat for Republican members of Congress.
His June 26, 2011 announcement in Bayamón
Bayamón, Puerto Rico
Bayamón is a municipality of Puerto Rico located on the northern coastal valley, north of Aguas Buenas and Comerío; south of Toa Baja and Cataño; west of Guaynabo; and east of Toa Alta and Naranjito. Bayamón is spread over 11 wards and Bayamón Pueblo...
that he will seek a second term as Governor of Puerto Rico suggests that he will not aspire to national office in 2012.
Obama names Fortuño to Council of Governors
President Barack ObamaBarack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
nominated Governor Fortuño to the Council of Governors, a bipartisan commission aimed at improving coordination of efforts between state and federal agencies to address matters of defense and national security.
Elected to leadership of the Council of State Governments
On May 22, 2010, Governor Fortuño was elected Vice President of the Council of State GovernmentsCouncil of State Governments
The Council of State Governments is a nonpartisan non-profit organization in the United States serving the state governments. It serves state legislatures, state courts, and executive branch officials and agencies, and is the only multi-branch organization of state governments in the United...
(CSG), the first Puerto Rican to hold a leadership position in that intergovernmental organization since his now Secretary of State, Kenneth McClintock
Kenneth McClintock
Kenneth D. McClintock-Hernández is the current Secretary of State of Puerto Rico. Mr. McClintock served as co-chair of Hillary Clinton presidential campaign's National Hispanic Leadership Council in 2008, co-chaired Clinton's successful Puerto Rico primary campaign that year and served as the...
, served as chairman in 1999. CSG represents the three branches of government of the 55 states and territories of the nation. Several Canadian provinces are international members of the organization, as well. On October 22, 2011 he was chosen President of CSG for 2012.
Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Association
On August 21, 2011, Governor Fortuño assumed the chairmanship of the Southern Governors’ AssociationSouthern Governors Association
' was founded in 1934, and is the oldest and historically the largest of the United States' regional governors' associations. Since its first meeting 75 years ago to discuss the repeal of discriminatory rates for transporting goods by rail, SGA has represented the common interests of Southern...
and unveiled his new initiative, which will serve as the organization’s policy focus for the year, to create jobs and spur economies in the Southern region by increasing trade, investment and exports with Latin America.
The initiative, titled “Growth Beyond Our Borders,” will focus on creating jobs and increasing exports from Southern states and territories by the end of 2012 by enabling private sector businesses and entrepreneurs to tap into dynamic and emerging Latin American markets, which represent 550 million prospective clients.
The association’s membership is composed of the Governors of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia and West Virginia.
Commemoration of Quincentenary of the Governorship of Puerto Rico
In 2010, Gov. Fortuño created a Commission for the Celebration of the Quincentenary of the Governorship of Puerto Rico, a celebration that began on October 12, 2010 and will extend to November 19, 2011. As part of the celebration, at the tail-end of a Trade Mission to SpainSpain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, he led a celebration of the life of Puerto Rico's first governor Juan Ponce de León
Juan Ponce de León
Juan Ponce de León was a Spanish explorer. He became the first Governor of Puerto Rico by appointment of the Spanish crown. He led the first European expedition to Florida, which he named...
in Santervás de Campos
Santervás de Campos
Santervás de Campos is a municipality located in the province of Valladolid, Castile and León, Spain. , the municipality has a population of 137 inhabitants....
, near Valladolid
Valladolid
Valladolid is a historic city and municipality in north-central Spain, situated at the confluence of the Pisuerga and Esgueva rivers, and located within three wine-making regions: Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Cigales...
on January 21, 2011. He also spoke that day at the Universidad de Valladolid.
Orders, awards and recognition
Order of Isabel the Catholic, Grand Cross with Collar, awarded by King Juan Carlos I of SpainJuan Carlos I of Spain
Juan Carlos I |Italy]]) is the reigning King of Spain.On 22 November 1975, two days after the death of General Francisco Franco, Juan Carlos was designated king according to the law of succession promulgated by Franco. Spain had no monarch for 38 years in 1969 when Franco named Juan Carlos as the...
in 2009.
External links
- Office of the Governor of Puerto Rico
- Fortuño's official 2008 campaign site (Spanish)
- Fortuño's MySpace site
- Biography by CIDOB Foundation (Spanish)
- Caribbean Business article on Dec. 2006 Caribbean Business/Gaither/WOSO poll
- General profile 2008
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