Governor to press for plebiscite in D.C.

Puerto Rico’s governor is traveling to Washington, D.C. this week to urge federal lawmakers to adopt legislation calling for a plebiscite to determine the Island’s status, reports El Nuevo Dia.  He will also take part in a pro-statehood lobbying effort organized by former governor Ricardo Rossello.  The governor and his allies are hopeful that the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on S. 3231, legislation that would set in motion a binding plebiscite where Puerto Rican voters would select among the options of statehood, independence, and sovereignty in free association with the United States.  The Senate has not held a hearing on Puerto Rico’s status for more than a decade. However, the committee’s chairman, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), is insisting that a referendum first be held to determine whether Puerto Rico or Washington, D.C. should be granted statehood.  Meanwhile, proponents of the legislation face an uphill battle in the House of Representatives.  Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, has yet to schedule a hearing on a companion bill, H.R. 2757.  He has also said that a change in status should not occur until the Financial Oversight and Management Board fulfills its objectives.  In December 2022, during the closing days of the previous Congress, the House passed similar legislation, with the unanimous support of Democratic members and 16 Republicans.  It was not taken up by the Senate, however.

Corrections department puts private company under review 

The Puerto Rican Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has confirmed that it has hired an external firm to assess the performance of the company assigned to oversee the inmate health system.  That company, Physician Correctional, is under scrutiny following the release of a convict who apparently tricked medical staff into thinking that he was suffering from a terminal illness. The agency has hired the firm, UTIcorp, at a cost of $450,000 to assess Physician Correctional’s performance.  UTIcorp will now review medical evidence, laboratories, and patient interventions. If any irregularities or criminal matters are uncovered by UTIcorp, they will be rereferred to the Department of Justice for further investigation. The current contract for Physician Correctional amounts to at least $45 million.

New data show economic growth, lower inflation for FY24

Birling Capital is highlighting the top Puerto Rican business and economic stories heading into mid-2024, based on newly released figures.  For instance, the Puerto Rico Economic Development Bank’s Economic Activity Index (EAI-EDB) showed 3.4% growth in December compared to the previous month. Birling called the results “robust” and “indicates Puerto Rico’s economic health and resilience.”  Additionally, it cited The Puerto Rico Planning Board’s forecast of 2.8% economic growth for fiscal year 2024.  This was fueled, in part, by a 21.2% increase in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program funds, amounting to $1.8 billion. Inflation on the Island is expected to “stabilize” at 2%, compared to 3.3% in the previous fiscal year.

President Biden wins Puerto Rico primary 

President Biden was the winner of the Democratic presidential primary in Puerto Rico, which was held Sunday.  He was the choice of 91 percent of voters.  Although Puerto Rico residents not participate in the general election, they do help determine the nominees of the two parties.  Fifty-five delegates to the DNC convention were up for grabs Sunday.  Former president Donald Trump won the Republican primary held in Puerto Rico earlier this month, winning 24 delegates to the Republican nominating convention.  Democrats will meet in Chicago in August to nominate Biden.  Republicans will gather in Milwaukee.