The President of the Legislature, Gerardo González, practically buried the tax package yesterday by sending it to 3 rd place on the agenda. He opened the way for discussion of 2 bills, the Popular Initiative Bill and the Public Referendum Act.

The Referendum Costa Ricans would be able to vote for or against initiatives that will become law. They may also defeat existing laws. However, the referendum may not cover budgets, taxes, fiscal or monetary policy, debt or credit, pensions, security, loan approval, contracts or administrative acts. 30% of citizens registered to vote must participate, 40% if the referendum is Constitutional.

Popular Iniciative Allows citizens to present bills directly to the Assembly, if 5% of registered votars sign the initiative. (approximately 123,000 signatures) It may not relate to budgets, taxes, fiscal or monetary policy, debt or credit, contracts or administrative acts. These plans would have priority on the legistlative agenda in commissions and the sessions.