Puerto Rico News Digest for December 21, 2017

WHITE HOUSE SAYS TAX BILL WON'T HURT PR

From Caribbean Business:

"Sweeping tax code changes aimed at keeping U.S. companies from shifting profits offshore to avoid taxes will not affect the battered economy of Puerto Rico, a senior White House official said on Wednesday. Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló has said the provisions in a new tax bill passed by Congress could prompt drug and medical device manufacturers to leave the island territory, which is considered a foreign jurisdiction for tax purposes..."

GOVERNOR RETURNS TO CONGRESS FOR TALKS

From El Nuevo Dia:

"Governor Ricardo Rosselló will begin negotiations in Washington today in a second attempt seeking to insert Puerto Rico into the recently approved tax reform..."

FEMA: MORE THAN $870 MILLION GIVEN TO STORM SURVIVORS

From News Is My Business:

"More than $870 million in federal funds has been provided to Puerto Rico survivors of Hurricanes Irma and María, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said. This includes money paid out in FEMA grants, U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest loans and National  Flood Insurance Policy claims..."

STRANDED ANIMALS RESCUED FROM PUERTO RICO

From Patch.com

"It was a happy day in Westhampton Sunday as 130 animals landed safely after being rescued from Puerto Rico. The rescue mission was conducted by the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons. "This is our biggest rescue to date," ARF representatives said..."

Puerto Rico News Digest For August 8, 2017

FAMILY KILLED IN DORADO NIGHTMARE

Fall victim to shooting between crooks; Feds may take over

A young married couple, Zuleika Rivera Negrón, age 27 and her partner Angel Pérez Polanco, age 30 were killed along with three of their children last Friday in the town Dorado as the result of a shooting on the same road, with only the couple's 12-year-old daughter surviving. Jaime Joel Ferrer Rivera, a 38-year-old man with an extensive criminal record, was shot at by unidentified assailants as he drove his Land Rover, causing him to lose control of his vehicle, which then crashed into the family's 1992 Toyota Tercel. The family's vehicle then violently smashed against a tree, killing the five victims. Ferrer Rivera died at the scene due to the shooting, after which the perpetrators escaped. Due to Ferrer Rivera being a federal convict, having been sentenced to 30 months in prison in 2004 for stealing shipments of air conditioners, US Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico Rosa Emilia Rodríguez stated that her office may take over the investigation.

PUERTO RICO SUED OVER CONTOL BOARD'S POWERS

From Caribbean Business:

"Puerto Rico was hit with two lawsuits Monday that for the first time challenge the constitutionality of a federal control board overseeing the island’s finances and its power to start a bankruptcy-like court process for some of  the U.S. territory’s more than $70 billion public debt..."

FEMA OK'S FUNDS FOR SALINAS AQUIFER PROJECT

From News Is My Business:

"The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved a $2.8 million hazard mitigation project for the island’s  southern coastal area, which considers its adaptive capacity, and uses surface and ground water to reduce the need for future water rationing in the town of Salinas..."

PPD PROPOSES UNITED FRONT TO FIGHT FURLOUGHS

From The San Juan Daily Star:

"Popular Democratic Party (PDP) President Héctor Ferrer announced on Friday that he is willing to join efforts and accompany Gov. Ricardo Rosselló Nevares to the courts if he decides to sue the federal Financial Oversight and Management Board if the reduction of public workers is implemented..."

JOINT VENTURE TO MANUFACTURE POT PRODUCTS IN PR

From Area Development:

"Tropizen, a grower and manufacturer of medical marijuana in Puerto Rico, will partner with WonderLeaf, a Colorado company that makes raw cannabis concentrates and oils, to establish a cannabis manufacturing plant  in Puerto Rico..."