Student debt now exceeds median household income in Puerto Rico

The cost of obtaining a degree is rising for students in Puerto Rico, and recent data show that it now exceeds the median household income on the Island.  According to El Nuevo Dia, one in four college students in Puerto Rico borrows to pay for college, and three out of four take on debt in order to pursue graduate studies.  The Community Survey of the federal Census Bureau reports that, between 2018 and 2022 the average student debt was $28,242, about $4,000 higher than the median household income in Puerto Rico.  “Given the path we are on, more young people will choose not to pursue a bachelor’s degree leading to graduate studies to avoid getting into debt with a loan,” said Miguel Marín Fuster, president of the General Student Council of the University of Puerto Rico (UPR), Río Piedras Campus. More than 160,000 students in Puerto Rico are working to obtain a university degree.

Puerto Rico’s governor not eager to make changes to information access law

Despite more than 350 lawsuits filed during the last four years seeking access to information, Puerto Rico’s governor said this week that there is no consensus to amend Law 141, the Transparency and Expedited Procedure Law.  The governor— who, in a 2020 Facebook post, pledged that “transparency will be the axis” of his administration– said that the law provides insufficient time to supply the information requested. He stated that it is difficult to comply with the law because of the onerous amount of data and that people making requests often want the information on paper, El Vocero reports.  The governor said that he will evaluate any recommendations for amendments to the law, but that he does not want to create the impression of restricting freedom of the press.  He also said that he will seek input from unions representing Puerto Rican journalists.

House Democrats prepare amendment on SNAP

Democratic lawmakers in Washington will push for the House Committee on Agriculture to vote as early as May on a proposal aimed at helping Puerto Rico begin the transition to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or receive an increase in funds from the Nutrition Assistance Program.  Democratic members of the committee met last week and agreed on an amendment covering nutritional assistance for the Island.  Democrats will push for the amendment if the GOP majority excludes from the reauthorization of the farm bill a proposal authorizing the Puerto Rican government to present a five-year transition from NAP to SNAP.  “Changing from NAP to SNAP in Puerto Rico or, at least, obtaining additional funds beyond what Puerto Rico is currently receiving is a priority for us,” said U.S. Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL) in an interview with El Nuevo Día. House members concede that it might be easier to pass such measures in the U.S Senate.