Picture courtesy of kasamaproject.org/ interviews/
Puerto Rico’s governor submitted a bill earlier this week that would reduce it’s seats in the US legislature by thirty percent (House from 51 to 39 seats and Senate from 27 to 17 seats). If this bill passes it would make Puerto Rican lawmakers the highest paying salaries of any state under the American flag, yet they would have less pull in the legislative process.
This decision did not come lightly. It is a result of the economic environment and the suffering it has imposed on our small island territory. Fortuno’s (the govenor of Puerto Rico) administration claim that the reform would reduce annual operating gost by $11 million. In addition, it would simulataneously save tax payers money and improve government efficiency.
However, this proposal contest Fortuno’s pro-statehood party agains oppostion who favor Puerto Rico’s commonwealth status, head by Ferrer.
Like the rest of the America, Puerto Rico is suffering from these hard economic times. But their hardship is probably harder felt as their career opportunities are limited already because of the size of the area in comparison to their population of highly educated individuals.
“A Caribbean island of roughly 4 million people, Puerto Rico is in its fourth year in recession. Bankruptcies have increased by 30 percent and more than 10,000 people are on a waiting list for public housing.” - David McFadden: Associated Press
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