Chinchilla drafts new fiscal reform plan

Following a failed attempt at fiscal and tax reform earlier this year, President Laura Chinchilla on Tuesday presented lawmakers with a second version that she says will be more widely accepted among the country’s different sectors.

According to Presidency Minister Carlos Benavides, 30 of the National Assembly’s 57 legislators support calling the new plan up for debate. Amendments to the failed first plan were included in the new proposal following negotiations with the opposition block in Congress, Benavides said.

The new reform package still seeks a modification of the 13 percent sales tax to a value-added tax structure at 14 percent, but some items were removed to protect poor residents and college students.