As local leaders gathered at New York’s City Hall today, similar events were held in the nation’s capital and in Orlando, where the Puerto Rican population has skyrocketed in recent years and has become an increasingly powerful voting bloc in the key swing state of Florida. New York is home to over 1 million Puerto Ricans and 3.5 million Latinos, many of whom are also watching closely to see how government leaders and Presidential candidates respond to the growing economic crisis on the island.
To bring more urgency and attention to the crisis, leaders outlined specific solutions the federal government should enact including investing federal funds on the island for health, energy and other needs, facilitating a fair debt repayment and relief plan, eliminating economically-handicapping policies like the well-documented, costly Jones Act shipping requirements, and granting bankruptcy protection for the island, for which Puerto Rico is currently not allowed to pursue.
To help Puerto Rico address its current crisis, Latino leaders from across the country are calling for the federal government to take the following actions:
- President Obama must commit to a federal investment plan that addresses underlying fiscal issues and grows the economy with good-paying jobs including Medicaid/health care investments, clean energy development, and cleaning up Vieques & Culebra
- Congress must eliminate federal policies that put the island at an economic disadvantage including amending the Jones Act costly shipping requirements
- Congress must pass legislation to grant Puerto Rico a Chapter 9 Bankruptcy option
- President Obama must convene his Working Group on Financial Markets to bring all parties to the table to negotiate a fair debt repayment and relief deal and explore a Federal Reserve loan
- President Obama and Congress should oppose severe austerity and wage reduction proposals like the Krueger Plan that would hurt poor and working families
“It is very disheartening that the U.S government is turning a blind eye toward the grave situation in Puerto Rico. The Obama administration and the Congress cannot continue to ignore this crisis. Let’s be clear: austerity is not the solution. The solution to this crisis cannot be at the expense of the working class and the most vulnerable. The federal government needs to step up and assist the Puerto Rican people at this moment of need. It’s their responsibility as well,” said New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito.
“To deny Puerto Rico a helping hand during this crisis is to deny American citizens the economic safety net they need and should have a right to. We urge Washington to act immediately to address this situation, taking our recommendations into consideration. They cannot continue to ignore the needs of the island, abandoning millions of citizens, and then turn around to ask for the Latino vote,” said José Calderón, President of Hispanic Federation.
“I am proud to join this coalition, to send the President of the United States and Congress a clear message: Puerto Rico and its residents deserve immediate attention and action that address the drastic financial crisis impacting the Island. As a U.S. territory, as U.S. Citizens and as one of the communities that has most sacrificed and given towards the growth and success of our nation, it is imperative that these outlined steps be taken. Puerto Ricans on the Island and those around the US, our friends and supporters will not cease our fight until this situation is resolved,” said NYS Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, Chair of the NYS Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force.
“Puerto Rico is an integral part of the American and New York family, and we cannot let the island be crippled by debt. Washington must step up and make the financial stability of Puerto Rico a priority. Millions of American citizens live on the island, and we must stand up and protect them,” said Letitia James, NYC Public Advocate.
“It is time America took stock of how it responds to the poorest of its citizens. Unlike the citizens of Detroit, U.S. Citizens of Puerto Rico are treated to 'unequal protection' under U.S. law. Shamefully, beyond "Jim Crow", Puerto Rico is America's mortal sin,” said Luis Garden Acosta, Founder & President of El Puente.
“We cannot stand idly by while 3.5 million Americans suffer through a crisis that continues to decimate the socio-economic fabric of Puerto Rico. The President and Congress have a responsibility to the U.S. citizens that reside in Puerto Rico to address the severe financial situation that the island is currently facing. We will continue to demand that the federal government take action until a rightful solution to this dire situation is implemented,” said NYS Senator Gustavo Rivera.
“Puerto Rico’s $73 billion public debt crisis has been imposed on 3.5 million people on the island, but it must not be paid off at the expense of its working people. We demand that the federal government step in immediately to conduct a public audit of the debt, consider allowing a bankruptcy mechanism for the island, prevent vulture funds from further profiting and put a stop on austerity measures that are harming families on the island,” stated Hector Figueroa, President of 32BJ SEIU.
"Hay muchos factores que llevaron a este punto y hay culpa para repartir. Lo que ha resultado de todo esto es la extrema pobreza y la emigración masiva en la última década. Si mi isla no recibe apoyo del gobierno federal, tendrá que negociar un acuerdo con sus acreedores en un vacío caótico. Lo que sé es que esos jugadores fiscales están buscando extraordinaria riqueza y poder - a expensas de todos los demás. Mi isla no puede y no debe ser el unico responsable de la deuda $72 mil millones,” said Maria Cortes, Member of Make the Road New York.
“With the second largest population of Puerto Ricans on the mainland, we in Orlando are committed to standing unified in the face of a worsening economic crisis in Puerto Rico. While there is no one step to be taken that will solve this crisis immediately and for the long-term, we must help the American citizens on the island of Puerto Rico. We urge Congress and President Obama to take action on one or several of our suggestions in order to ensure that this never happens again,” stated Zoé Colón, Director of Florida and Southeast Operations of the Hispanic Federation.
“It is critical for our Federal Government to step up and help Puerto Rico by amending our bankruptcy laws, making them eligible for grants available to the states and stopping the cuts to Medicare,” stated Florida State Senator Darren Soto.
"Today Puerto Rico is on the verge of fiscal default. The Federal Government has a legal and constitutional obligation to help resolve this financial crisis. Close to a million Puerto Ricans living in the State of Florida do care and demand action from President Obama and Congress now,” stated Betsy Franceschini, Regional Office Director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration.
“Puerto Ricans are American citizens and are entitled to the fundamental rights that citizenship entails. Failure to provide Puerto Rico with the same rights that all Americans enjoy is a fundamental flaw in our system. Puerto Rico has had over 100 years of being treated as citizens of a different Class. Continued denial of basic constitutional rights is an affront to our principals of justice and equality as stated in our jurisprudence. As our president travels the world espousing American ideals and principals we need to look inward to insure that these same principals are applied at home,” stated Anthony Suarez, Esq., President of the Puerto Rican Bar Association of Florida.
“During this difficult economic crisis, LatinoJustice PRLDEF stands with Puerto Rico. We urge Congress to reform the stifling federal policies that not only prevent Puerto Rico from flourishing economically but have also contributed to its dire financial situation,” stated Martha Pardo, Associate Counsel – Southeast Regional Office of LatinoJustice PRLDEF.
“It is time for Congress and the President to stand up and do their duty to support our fellow Americans by giving Puerto Rico the tools to resolve its debt crisis, including the same tools available to other jurisdictions of the United States,” said Hector Sanchez, NHLA Chair and Executive Director of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement.
Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) stated, “Puerto Rico’s fiscal problems are unprecedented and require bold, immediate action. Not only are Puerto Ricans suffering from this crisis, but should the situation continue deteriorating, there could be wide-ranging consequences for the broader American economy. All Puerto Ricans are speaking with one voice in calling on the federal government to address these challenges swiftly.”
“As a U.S. territory, the Puerto Rican economy is intimately linked to the mainland’s economy. Congress and the federal government can’t afford to ignore this issue and the needs of the millions of Puerto Ricans that live on the island and the rest of the United States. What we are asking for is equality for Puerto Rico so that it can have the rights, tools, and financial resources it needs to successfully address the economic crisis. Our message is simple and straightforward: Congress and the United States government has to act,” said Congressman José E. Serrano.
“Puerto Rico has been in a recession longer than any state of union and its ability to tackle those economic woes is hampered by its unequal treatment in Congress. Congress and The White House have the fiscal and moral responsibility to provide the tools to help stabilize and kickstart the Puerto Rican economy,” said Rafael A. Fantauzzi President and CEO of the National Puerto Rican Coalition. “It is unacceptable that we are more worried about the financial burdens of other countries and continue to ignore the 3.5 million proud Americans that live in American soil.”
“I want to thank the NHLA, and the coalition of Latino organizations that are its backbone, for urging the President and Congress to empower the U.S. jurisdiction of Puerto Rico to address its economic crisis. I am particularly grateful that the NHLA has endorsed my legislative efforts to authorize Puerto Rico to permit its public enterprises to seek relief under Chapter 9 of the federal bankruptcy code; to provide more equitable treatment to Puerto Rico under federal health programs like Medicaid and Medicare; and to increase the number of maritime vessels that would be able to transport energy supplies, agricultural products and other bulk cargo between ports in Puerto Rico and other U.S. ports,” said Pedro Pierluisi, Puerto Rico’s sole representative in Congress.
“It is vital that Congress take action to prevent a humanitarian and financial catastrophe in Puerto Rico,” said U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn) “This is a clearly avoidable disaster that will harm creditors, investors and ordinary citizens if Congress fails to act. My bill with Senator Schumer, The Puerto Rico Chapter 9 Uniformity Act, would enable an orderly, rational restructuring of Puerto Rico’s debt, instead of a financial free for all and potential free fall, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to accept this common-sense measure.”
“Puerto Rico is part of the United States and its residents have fought valiantly in every war since World War I,” said Juan Cartagena, President and General Counsel, LatinoJustice PRLDEF. "We give tax breaks to hedge funds while asking Puerto Rican residents to live a more austere life. Further deterioration of the island’s economy will only exacerbate a growing migration from the island and will further increase state and federal costs as a result. Therefore, inaction is not an option.”
“What is happening to our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico is of great concern to Latinos and other Americans across the country. We ask the Administration and the Congress to make relief for the island a priority now,” stated Janet Murguia, President and CEO, NCLR.
Latino Leaders to Washington: Support Puerto Rico
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