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Sorry Jones Act Supporters, the Law Is Still a Bad Deal for Puerto Rico

The Jones Act has been hurting Puerto Rico for a long time. That’s the inevitable result of shipping protectionism that thwarts competition and requires the use of ships significantly more expensive to build and operate than their internationally‐​flagged counterparts.

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Colin Grabow
August 31, 2022

What are the projections on the Fiscal Oversight Board in the face of Labor Reform?

The lawyer said that, from his experience, the JSF has written more letters to the government regarding the new Labor Reform than with other issues. "In other cases where the Board sues, it always sends letters and warnings, but in the case of Law 41 the Board is being very incisive," he said. "I would describe it as a last chance, but I admit that I have not seen a previous letter in which the Board gave the government so many chances", he said.

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Carlos J. Saavedra
August 30, 2022

Students’ Family Background Matters

One implication stands out above all: That schools bring little influence to bear on a child’s achievement that is independent of his background and general social context; and that this very lack of an independent effect means that the inequalities imposed on children by their home, neighborhood, and peer environment are carried along to become the inequalities with which they confront adult life at the end of school.

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Ian Rowe
August 23, 2022

Puerto Rican migration in search of economic freedom

When looking at other states and territories, it is notable that those with the highest net inbound migration are those with the lowest tax burdens, that encourage entrepreneurial activity, that are fiscally healthy, and that have strong economies. Likewise, those with the highest net outgoing migration are those that impose higher tax burdens and more regulations and offer fewer employment opportunities.

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Milton J. Quiles
August 22, 2022
Puerto Rican migration in search of economic freedom

Miami Takes On the Socialist Model

On one side, we have the socialist model: high taxes, high regulation, less competition and declining public services with government imposing itself as the solver and arbiter of all social problems. On the other side, we have the Miami model: low taxes, low regulation and a commitment to public safety and private enterprise. The models present a stark choice on issues ranging from personal freedom, economic opportunity, public safety and the role of government.

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Francis X. Suarez
August 22, 2022

Labor reform changes, next litigation between the Board and the Government

In the letter dated July 30, the Oversight Board attached an extensive study by economist Robert Triest in which the negative impacts that Law 41 would have on the economic development of Puerto Rico are summarized. In short, the economic study concludes that Law 41 discourages the hiring of new employees in the private sector and, therefore, Government revenues will be affected. Specifically, the study concludes that Law 41 will cause a decrease in Government revenues of $156 million in the short term and - in the long term - it will cause a reduction of $8.1 billion in revenues. Based on that study, the Board concludes that Law 41 is inconsistent with the Fiscal Plan and violates PROMESA.

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Carlos J. Saavedra
August 19, 2022

The PAN in block, with butter

The ominous disquisitions are already beginning to creep in regarding what the transition from the PAN program, for which Puerto Rico receives $2.5 billion in a block, benefiting more than a million people, to what would be the so-called SNAP, which is the system that prevails in the United States and its territories, thanks to which a substantial increase in aid would be seen, but with one condition: people between 16 and 59 years old, without dependents and able to work, will have to do so, even if it is part-time.

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Mayra Montero
August 15, 2022

Educational freedom as a motor of human potential

It is fundamental that citizens be educated in the essential concepts and operation of constitutional government and market economies. This way, people could count on basic knowledge about the functioning of politics and the economy, for better economic decision-making and for when exercising their right to vote. Not having knowledge of these issues limits people to judge ideas, policies, proposals, etc. When people are oblivious to economic and political issues, they are not provided with the essential tools to combat and escape ignorance.

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Milton J. Quiles
August 10, 2022
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