JEB BUSH SUPPORTS STATEHOOD, CHAPTER 9
From News Is My Business:
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who is expected to announce his run
for the U.S. presidency in 2016, expressed his support Tuesday for
Puerto Rico’s statehood as well as its right of its government
agencies to file for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 9 of the
U.S. tax code. During a visit to the island, sponsored by former
Puerto Rican Gov. Luis Fortuño, Bush also spoke of economic oppor-
tunity and the “Right to Rise” as the central moral promise of
American economic life. Bush spoke to faculty, students and guests
at the Metropolitan University of Puerto Rico amphitheater while
his message was transmitted via live webcast to the entire student
population of 44,000 including campuses in Dallas, Orlando, Tampa,
South Florida and Wheaton, Maryland.
HOUSE PREDICTED TO PASS TAX REFORM
From The San Juan Daily Star:
As the STAR reported last week, Gov. Alejandro García Padilla
may very well deliver his budget message on Wednesday or Thurs-
day, possibly before the House of Representatives is expected to
bring the tax reform to the floor for a vote no later than Fri-
day. In a TV interview, political analyst Luis Pabón Roca said
his sources are telling him that the House will vote 14 to 10
in favor of the tax reform on Friday. “They are giving them
[lawmakers who are infavor of the tax reform] the space to work
on getting the votes they need to pass the legislation,” he said.
“The bill increased to over 2,000 pages, and the votes that were
difficult to get are [being persuaded] by including these amend-
ments. … I understand that they will vote in favor of or against
it this week.”
GOVERNOR TO DELIVER STATE OF PR ADDRESS
From Caribbean Business:
Gov. Alejandro García Padilla will offer his State of the Common-
wealth address Thursday, La Fortaleza announced Tuesday. García
Padilla will speak at 5 p.m. Thursday on the floor of the House of
Representatives. The message will be broadcast live on Puerto Rico
TV (Channel 6) and streamed online at www.fortaleza.pr.gov, www.
camaraderepresentantes.org and www.senado.pr.gov.
CONDADO HOTEL ABRUPTLY CLOSES
From Fox Business:
A large hotel in one of the main tourist districts of Puerto Rico has
abruptly announced that it will close. Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism
Association President Miguel Vega says the Radisson Ambassador
Plaza in the Condado district of San Juan will close Wednesday. He
said it will result in the loss of about 200 jobs.
