Jennifer González’s MAGA Support: Right-Leaning Policies & Controversial Alliances
As a follow-up to my recent blog post on Trump's neglect of Puerto Rico, I wanted to make sure we stay focused on ensuring that no more MAGA allies like Jennifer González, continue in positions of power on our island. As a resident of Puerto Rico and a proud Boricua, I feel it’s essential to understand González’s history of right-leaning policies and controversial alliances that have significantly impacted Puerto Rican communities and our economic landscape.
Jennifer González’s Political Positions and Right-Leaning Policy Support
With roles as Resident Commissioner and former Speaker of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives, González has supported conservative U.S.-aligned policies that often prioritize external interests. Key areas include:
- Privatization Efforts: González has championed privatization efforts, including the LUMA Energy contract, which has led to high utility costs and reliability issues, impacting working-class Puerto Ricans.
- Act 22 and Tax Incentives: She has strongly advocated Act 22, a tax incentive program that benefits wealthy mainland investors, often displacing local residents due to increased real estate prices and cost of living.
- Fiscal Austerity: González supported austerity measures under Governor Luis Fortuño, like Law 7, which allowed for mass layoffs in the public sector, leading to economic strain for thousands of families.
Failures in Emergency Aid: Political Image Over Urgent Relief
Jennifer González’s time in office during Puerto Rico's crises has been marred by allegations of mismanagement and delays in aid distribution, prioritizing political optics over the urgent needs of residents affected by natural disasters like Hurricane Maria and the 2020 earthquakes.
- Hurricane Maria Delays: Following Hurricane Maria, nearly $20 billion in federal aid was delayed, leaving critical infrastructure in disrepair and Puerto Rican communities without essential resources. These delays stemmed from bureaucratic obstacles and a lack of cooperation between federal and local authorities, complicating recovery efforts.
- Earthquake Supplies Mismanagement: After the 2020 earthquakes, undistributed supplies from Maria were discovered in warehouses, sparking public outrage. This revelation underscored ongoing issues with emergency management, with citizens questioning González’s and other officials' accountability in times of crisis.
- Political Branding on Aid Supplies: During these recovery efforts, González’s administration was criticized for placing political gain over effective relief. Instead of focusing solely on delivering aid, her office prioritized branding supplies with logos associated with her administration, delaying the release of essential items like food and water. This approach, seen as a move to bolster her public image, drew sharp criticism from locals and relief advocates who questioned why political optics took precedence over urgent relief efforts.
- Delayed Aid and Public Backlash: The emphasis on branding rather than swift distribution compounded the difficulties faced by families without electricity, clean water, or shelter, further delaying essential support. This focus on political branding led to widespread dissatisfaction and raised questions about González’s true priorities during Puerto Rico’s most vulnerable moments.
This pattern of prioritizing political image over genuine relief efforts reflects a troubling approach to governance that often places optics above the welfare of Puerto Rican communities.
Shifting Endorsements of Donald Trump
González’s relationship with Donald Trump has fluctuated, reflecting political expediency:
- Early Hesitation: Initially, González was cautious in her support of Trump, mindful of his controversial statements about Puerto Rico.
- Distancing after Maria: As Trump’s popularity waned post-Hurricane Maria, González began distancing herself from Trump’s influence, recognizing the growing divide among Puerto Rican voters regarding his policies.
- Public Endorsement: As Resident Commissioner, she later openly endorsed Trump, highlighting their alliance in securing federal support and advocating for Puerto Rican statehood. Once again having selective amnesia of how Trump disparaged our Island.
Act 22 and the Rise of “Crypto-Colonialism”
González has supported Act 22 (now part of Act 60), a policy often associated with economic disparities on the island:
- Tax Breaks for Wealthy Investors: Act 22 offers significant tax incentives to wealthy investors relocating to Puerto Rico, which has attracted cryptocurrency moguls like Brock Pierce.
- Housing Crisis: These incentives have led to a real estate boom, driving up prices and making housing unaffordable for many Puerto Ricans.
- Economic Displacement: The influx of affluent individuals has been termed “crypto-colonialism,” as it benefits outsiders at the expense of local communities, furthering economic inequality.
Associations with Controversial Figures: Julito Labatut and Benjamin Netanyahu
González has been linked to figures who have provoked considerable controversy:
- Julito Labatut: In 2006, González honored Labatut, a figure with ties to anti-independence extremism in Puerto Rico, sparking backlash and protests from pro-independence activists.
- Benjamin Netanyahu: Her pro-Israel stance and alliance with Netanyahu have aligned her with U.S. conservatives, but some Puerto Ricans view this as support for right-wing agendas that do not benefit the island.
Privatization of Essential Services: The LUMA Energy Contract
González’s support for privatizing essential services has been widely criticized:
- LUMA Energy Contract: The privatization of PREPA through LUMA Energy has led to increased costs and frequent outages, which hurt families and businesses.
- Impact on Working-Class Puerto Ricans: By prioritizing privatization, González has contributed to making basic utilities less accessible and affordable for Puerto Rican residents.
Impact on Puerto Rico’s Education System: Department of Education and the University of Puerto Rico
Jennifer González’s tenure in government aligned with a challenging period for Puerto Rico’s Department of Education. During this time, former Secretary of Education Julia Keleher faced federal indictments for corruption, bribery, and fraud, with accusations of steering government contracts to politically connected organizations at the expense of public school resources and student support.
Under the administration that included González’s support, the Department of Education experienced:
- Closures and Layoffs: As part of a broader austerity plan, hundreds of schools were closed across Puerto Rico, impacting communities and disrupting student learning.
- Public Corruption: Keleher's corruption charges reflect a larger pattern of political corruption that, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, “victimized taxpayers and students.” The fallout from these scandals damaged public trust in Puerto Rico’s educational leadership.
González’s influence extended to the University of Puerto Rico (UPR), the island’s primary higher education institution. The UPR faced:
- Severe Budget Cuts: González supported budget cuts affecting UPR, reducing funding and prompting tuition hikes. This affected low-income students and their access to affordable education.
- Student Protests: These cuts led to protests from students and faculty concerned about the accessibility and quality of education at UPR.
Her support for austerity and privatization in Puerto Rico’s education system reflects policies that often prioritize fiscal austerity over the welfare of students and educators. For more information on the indictments during Keleher’s time, see UNESCO's report.
A Legacy of Right-Leaning Influence on Puerto Rico’s Future
Jennifer González’s career has consistently aligned with right-leaning policies and controversial figures, often at the expense of local communities. From endorsing Trump to backing privatization, her influence has prioritized external interests, leaving Puerto Rican families to deal with the economic fallout. As we consider Puerto Rico's future, it’s critical to scrutinize these alliances and their impact.
To explore the broader impacts of such right-leaning policies, see my previous post on Trump’s Neglect of Puerto Rico: A Legacy of Economic Harm.
Vote for Change with Juan Dalmau and La Alianza
For over two decades, Jennifer González has held influential positions in Puerto Rican politics, implementing policies that have repeatedly prioritized political gain and external interests over the needs of Puerto Rican communities. Her tenure has contributed to rising costs, privatization favoring the wealthy, and delayed disaster relief when our communities needed the most help.
It’s time to take a stand and choose leadership that genuinely represents the people of Puerto Rico. Juan Dalmau and La Alianza are committed to fighting for the rights and well-being of Puerto Rican families, putting the interests of local communities above political alliances and corporate gain.
Make your voice heard in the upcoming election. Let’s work together to restore dignity, transparency, and fairness to Puerto Rican governance.
Vote for Juan Dalmau and La Alianza to bring about the change our island deserves.
PS: You don’t have to take my word for it.
Listen to Benito’s (Bad Bunny’s) message, delivered by Benicio del Toro. It reminds us of the pride we should carry as Boricuas.
His words highlight the importance of voting for those who genuinely serve our island and protect our culture, values, and communities.
Let’s choose leaders who honor Puerto Rico’s legacy and put our people first.
