Puerto Rico News Digest For June 26, 2015

LA PLATA RATIONING ZONE EXPANDS

Puerto Rico's water utility, Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (AAA),
announced yesterday that additional areas will be added to the La Plata Sur water
rationing zone effective immediately. In the town of Naranjito, the following areas
have been added: Achiote 1, 2 & 3, Barrio Nuevo, Bunker Hill, El Cerro, Guadia-
na, Jardines de Naranjito, Lomas del Viento, Lomas García, Los Cuadrados, Mu-
litas, Sector Los Hoyos, Valle Verde Villa Embroya and Zona Urbana. In Corozal:
Abras, Barrio Pueblo, María del Carmen, Mavilla and Monterrey. Hacienda de
Dorado in the town of Dorado has also been added, along with Marzán in Vega Alta.
Most areas in Toa Alta which were not under rationing before will now join the La
Plata Sur zone as well. To verify if your area is now under rationing, check the in-
teractive La Plata rationing zone map above.

GAY MARRIAGE LEGAL IN ALL US, INCLUDING PR

This morning, the Supreme Court of the United States reached a decision which

effectively legalizes same-sex marriage in all of the United States, including any

territories under its jurisdiction. This means that gay marriage is now also legal

in Puerto Rico. Religious leaders on the island have been quick to express their

disappointment at the court's decision, while many members of the gay commu-

nity are expressing their joy at this milestone ruling. Governor Padilla has ex-
pressed his support for the Court's decision, and is expected to sign an execu-
tive order soon to facilitate the ruling's enforcement on the island.

2:30 PM Update: Governor Padilla has just signed an executive order to faci-
litate the issuing of marriage licences without distinction in 15 days.

DATA POINTS TO DROPPING SCHOOL ENROLLMENT

From The San Juan Daily Star:

"Puerto Rico Statistics Institute President Mario Marazzi on Wednesday made pu-
blic the Annual Statistics of the Puerto Rico Educational System 2012-2013 which
reveals, among other things, a reduction in the number of students enrolled in the
public school system. The statistics also highlight a rise in the enrollment of stu-
dents in the Special Education Program. “This annual report presents a statistical
profile of all educational levels (pre-primary, primary, secondary, post-secondary,
and university), both for the public sector and for the private sector and non-profits,”
Marazzi said. The data off ered by Marazzi indicates that in the public school sys-
tem the number of schools under the island Education Department during the sta-
tistical period increased from 1,451 to 1,466, while the number of students atten-
ding public schools went down from 452,740 to 434,609..."

GUN LAWS COULD CHANGE AFTER COURT CASE

From Ammoland:

"A surprising victory for gun rights in Puerto Rico has eliminated the firearms re-
gistry and licensing requirements to purchase and carry in the Commonwealth, the
Second Amendment Foundation has confirmed. As of now, according to Sandra
Barreras with Ladies of the Second Amendment (LSA), the group that brought the
lawsuit, “there is no regulation to purchase or carry (and) all purchases will be han-
dled in accordance with federal firearms regulations.” LSA is affiliated with SAF
through the International Association for the Protection of Civilian Arms Rights
(IAPCAR). The class-action lawsuit challenged various articles in Puerto Rico’s
gun law, which the court declared unconstitutional. Because of the ruling, Barre-
ras said, Puerto Ricans may now carry openly or concealed without a permit, and
they do not need to obtain a permit before purchasing a firearm..."

NEW SEA STAR CRANES ARRIVE IN PUERTO RICO

From Caribbean Business:

"Sea Star Line's newly acquired cranes arrived Thursday morning to the Port of San
Juan, as part of the shipping company's $400 million investment for the Puerto Rico
trade. Iván Burgos, chief operating officer for Sea Star, along with Ingrid Colberg
Rodríguez, executive director of the Puerto Rico Ports Authority, were at the port's
terminal to receive the equipment..."