Until tax year 2021, the Child Tax Credit received by most parents in all the States was not available to most families in Puerto Rico. In a territory which has the lowest birth rate of any jurisdiction in the United States (1.04 births per woman; Vermont, the lowest state, is at 1.6), families were eligible… Read more »
The people of Hawaii did not choose to be annexed by the United States in 1897 any more than Puerto Rico wanted to be brought into the United States in 1898 — that is, some favored the move, but it was not by choice of the people living there. Statehood was a different matter. While… Read more »
Some observers responded with outrage to the Supreme Court’s decision that Congress is allowed to discriminate against Puerto Rico when it comes to federal benefits. Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) tweeted, “I’m disappointed to see the Supreme Court once again treat Puerto Ricans as second class citizens. The people of Puerto Rico deserve better.” Rep. Darren Soto… Read more »
One of the terms that comes up frequently in discussions of Puerto Rico’s status – particularly in the bills currently being considered in Congress – is “binding.” The term is often used in ways that are inaccurate or misleading. Decisions of voters aren’t binding on Congress For example, we see observers argue that the votes… Read more »
The Supreme Court has ruled that the Constitution does not require Congress to extend Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits to residents of Puerto Rico. With a dissenting opinion from Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the court ruled 8-1 that Congress may refuse SSI payments to people who live in Puerto Rico, even if they would be eligible… Read more »
In a Congressional hearing in 2000, the late Congressman Don Young (R-AK) introduced the discussion on Puerto Rico status legislation (HR 4751) by saying, “HR 4751 is the measure that Congress would have to approve to attempt to implement the party’s enhanced commonwealth formula. Various versions of this enhanced commonwealth formula have been promoted in… Read more »
32 U.S. territories have already become States, and each of them has had anti-statehood factions. New Mexico faced particularly strong anti-statehood feelings. Who was in the anti-statehood movement for New Mexico? White settlers The majority of New Mexico’s population were Spanish-speaking people. New Mexico had been part of Mexico. The United States gained the land… Read more »
For tax year 2021, Puerto Rico families will have access to the Child Tax Credit (CTC) on an equal footing with the States. First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, House Chairwoman Nydia Velazquez, Deputy Secretary of Treasury Wally Adeyemo, and American Rescue Plan Coordinator Gene Sperling held a virtual event with UnidosUS,… Read more »
Exports from Puerto Rico have been volatile during the pandemic, but are rebounding this year. source: tradingeconomics.com A century ago, Puerto Rico was seeing fairly steady growth in its major exports, with a striking increase in 1920. Looking at a similar timeframe, from 2003 to 2021, we can see that Puerto Rico’s exports have… Read more »
This Monday, April 11, First Lady Jill Biden will headline a virtual event on the Child Tax Credit’s recent expansion to Puerto Rico and the ability of Puerto Rican families to qualify for this promising federal policy that has been proven to help lift families out of poverty. Guests include Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and American Rescue… Read more »
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