PUERTO RICO GOVERNOR RICARDO ROSSELLO’S RESIGNATION WAS OVERDUE, GOVERNMENT REFORM NOW NEEDED

American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement on the resignation of Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello:

“Gov. Rossello’s resignation is welcome and long overdue. His tenure as governor has been marked by corruption, failure and an appalling lack of judgment. It’s time to move beyond the rancor and division that his administration created and heal the economic, political and social wounds he has left behind.

“The people of Puerto Rico, regardless of political party, seek what all citizens of a democratic society want: a government that is free of corruption and puts the needs of the people first. The first order of business of the next governor must be to restore the trust of the people in their government and to focus on helping them achieve their dreams and aspirations, which have been denied and deferred over many years.

“From rebuilding the economy to recovering from the devastating impact of Hurricane Maria to restoring the public education system, this new era of reform can’t start soon enough.”