Monday, February 13, 2012

Puerto Rico Business News's Facebook Wall ‎Today, ‎February ‎13, ‎2012

Puerto Rico Business News's Facebook Wall

‎Today, ‎February ‎13, ‎2012, ‏‎2 hours ago

Official: U.S. Patent Office 'huge opportunity for Detroit' - MLive.com

‎Today, ‎February ‎13, ‎2012, ‏‎2 hours ago | Puerto Rico Business NewsGo to full article

Official: U.S. Patent Office 'huge opportunity for Detroit' - MLive.com
Official: U.S. Patent Office 'huge opportunity for Detroit' - MLive.com
Official: U.S. Patent Office 'huge opportunity for Detroit'MLive.comThe White House Business Council and Business Forward hosted the meeting as part of the council's efforts over the past year to meet with business and civic leaders in all 50 states, Washington DC and Puerto Rico. Many members of Washington, DC, ...

2012 Interior Design Fee & Salary Survey Results Just Published by ...

‎Today, ‎February ‎13, ‎2012, ‏‎2 hours ago | Puerto Rico Business NewsGo to full article

2012 Interior Design Fee & Salary Survey Results Just Published by ...
2012 Interior Design Fee & Salary Survey Results Just Published by ...
Jobs and Careers – Puerto Rico, USA ... Anyone interested in how today's designers are running their businesses will want to have a copy to refer to often,” said Michael Berens, Director of Research for ASID. “Anyone who is ...

Catalyst Health Solutions to Offer Prescription Drug Discounts to AARP Members -...

‎Today, ‎February ‎13, ‎2012, ‏‎2 hours ago | Puerto Rico Business NewsGo to full article

Catalyst Health Solutions to Offer Prescription Drug Discounts to AARP Members - MarketWatch (press release)
Catalyst Health Solutions to Offer Prescription Drug Discounts to AARP Members - MarketWatch (press release)
Catalyst Health Solutions to Offer Prescription Drug Discounts to AARP MembersMarketWatch (press release)The Company's subsidiaries include Catalyst Rx, a full-service pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) serving more than 18 million lives in the United States and Puerto Rico; HospiScript Services, LLC, one of the largest providers of PBM services to the ...

Action Duct Cleaning CEO Elected to NADCA Board - MarketWatch (press release)

‎Today, ‎February ‎13, ‎2012, ‏‎2 hours ago | Puerto Rico Business NewsGo to full article

Action Duct Cleaning CEO Elected to NADCA Board - MarketWatch (press release)
Action Duct Cleaning CEO Elected to NADCA Board - MarketWatch (press release)
Action Duct Cleaning CEO Elected to NADCA BoardMarketWatch (press release)He will be presenting the paper to the international membership in a speech at NADCA's annual gathering in San Juan, Puerto Rico in March 2012. At the Puerto Rico convention, Stradford will also be doing a pre-release book signing of his newest book, ...and more »

ARIIX Announces New VP of Hispanic Markets to Lead Company Expansion into ... -...

‎Today, ‎February ‎13, ‎2012, ‏‎3 hours ago | Puerto Rico Business NewsGo to full article

ARIIX Announces New VP of Hispanic Markets to Lead Company Expansion into ... - San Francisco Chronicle (press release)
ARIIX Announces New VP of Hispanic Markets to Lead Company Expansion into ... - San Francisco Chronicle (press release)
ARIIX Announces New VP of Hispanic Markets to Lead Company Expansion into ...San Francisco Chronicle (press release)As a General Manager, Alfonso was instrumental in successfully launching companies in Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, as well as the Hispanic market in the United States. A true global business executive, ...

Meet the jibarito - The Depaulia

‎Today, ‎February ‎13, ‎2012, ‏‎4 hours ago | Puerto Rico Business NewsGo to full article

Meet the jibarito - The Depaulia
Meet the jibarito - The Depaulia
Meet the jibaritoThe DepauliaThey're still in business because of it." The spot claiming the "best jibarito sandwich" with a neon sign in its front window is Puerto Rican restaurant Cocina Boricua at 2410 W. Fullerton Ave. "I heard about it, went over [to Borinquen] and tried it.

Rosemont awarded $300000 matching USDA grant - Warren Record

‎Today, ‎February ‎13, ‎2012, ‏‎6 hours ago | Puerto Rico Business NewsGo to full article

Rosemont awarded $300000 matching USDA grant - Warren Record
Rosemont awarded $300000 matching USDA grant - Warren Record
Rosemont awarded $300000 matching USDA grantWarren RecordRosemont is one of 298 recipients in 44 states and Puerto Rico given the nod for grant funding falling under the umbrella of “business development assistance” through the Value-Added Producer Grant program. A total of $40.2 million was awarded ...

Avaya recognizes business partners, outlines growth strategies ...

‎Today, ‎February ‎13, ‎2012, ‏‎7 hours ago | Puerto Rico Business NewsGo to full article

Avaya recognizes business partners, outlines growth strategies ...
Avaya recognizes business partners, outlines growth strategies ...
Business communications and collaboration systems and services provider, Avaya, recently held its Caribbean Partner Connection Day 2012 in Puerto Rico, where it recognized the work of its partners on the island and ...

One of the best | Books Of Business

‎Today, ‎February ‎13, ‎2012, ‏‎7 hours ago | Puerto Rico Business NewsGo to full article

One of the best | Books Of Business
One of the best | Books Of Business
Tmobile is German-based, present in ten other European countries and in the US, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. The company also belong to the top network providers, twelfth largest mobile phone service in the ...

Top Q4 Undervalued Buys And Sells Of Mega Fund State Street's $565 Billion In .....

‎Today, ‎February ‎13, ‎2012, ‏‎9 hours ago | Puerto Rico Business NewsGo to full article

Top Q4 Undervalued Buys And Sells Of Mega Fund State Street's $565 Billion In ... - Seeking Alpha
Top Q4 Undervalued Buys And Sells Of Mega Fund State Street's $565 Billion In ... - Seeking Alpha
Top Q4 Undervalued Buys And Sells Of Mega Fund State Street's $565 Billion In ...Seeking AlphaPopular Inc. (BPOP): BPOP is a holding company for Popular de Puerto Rico, that operates 194 branches in Puerto Rico, the Caribbean and the US State Street added $51 million in Q4 to its $24 million prior quarter position....

NBA Rumors: Allen Iverson Is the Answer for Los Angeles Lakers' Title Hopes - Bl...

‎Yesterday, ‎February ‎12, ‎2012, ‏‎5:19:08 PM | Puerto Rico Business NewsGo to full article

NBA Rumors: Allen Iverson Is the Answer for Los Angeles Lakers' Title Hopes - Bleacher Report

NBA Rumors: Allen Iverson Is the Answer for Los Angeles Lakers' Title Hopes - Bleacher Report
Bleacher ReportNBA Rumors: Allen Iverson Is the Answer for Los Angeles Lakers' Title HopesBleacher ReportCBS Sports is also reporting, though, that Iverson is engaged in talks with Puerto Rico's professional basketball league to take his talents down south. While no one aside from Iverson and his business manager, Gary Moore, know exactly where he is ...and more »

Who/What's New - Daytona Beach News-Journal

‎Yesterday, ‎February ‎12, ‎2012, ‏‎1:24:25 AM | Puerto Rico Business NewsGo to full article

Who/What's New - Daytona Beach News-Journal
Who/What's New - Daytona Beach News-Journal
Who/What's NewDaytona Beach News-JournalShe earned her medical degree from Central University of the Caribbean, Bayamon, Puerto Rico, and completed an internship in internal medicine at Tulane Medical Center, New Orleans. She also completed a residency in family medicine at Florida Hospital ...and more »

Annapolis company aims 'to make concrete pretty' - Annapolis Capital

‎Saturday, ‎February ‎11, ‎2012, ‏‎11:46:51 PM | Puerto Rico Business NewsGo to full article

Annapolis company aims 'to make concrete pretty' - Annapolis Capital

Annapolis company aims 'to make concrete pretty' - Annapolis Capital
Annapolis CapitalAnnapolis company aims 'to make concrete pretty'Annapolis CapitalThe engineer's son grew up in Puerto Rico, where much of the architecture is made out of concrete. He graduated from the US Naval Academy and later earned his masters of business administration. In 2005, he launched Hyde Coating, using the middle name ...

Molina moves on without Pujols - Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier

‎Saturday, ‎February ‎11, ‎2012, ‏‎7:00:54 PM | Puerto Rico Business NewsGo to full article

Molina moves on without Pujols - Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier

Molina moves on without Pujols - Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
Yahoo! SportsMolina moves on without PujolsWaterloo Cedar Falls Courier(Pujols attended Molina's two-day softball festival in Puerto Rico shortly after the Cardinals' World Series run.) They still talk almost daily. "Albert had to make a decision," Molina said. "He made the decision that was good for him and his family.Matheny: Yadi is fineSTLtoday.comYadier Molina on looming free agency: "It's business"NBCSports.comCardinals Major League Notebook: 02/11/12The Cardinal Nation (subscription)all 10 news articles »

Arcos Dorados, operator of the McDonald’s brand in Latin America, is winning rec...

‎Saturday, ‎February ‎11, ‎2012, ‏‎4:45:27 PM | Puerto Rico Business NewsGo to full article

Arcos Dorados, operator of the McDonald’s brand in Latin America, is winning rec...
Arcos Dorados, operator of the McDonald’s brand in Latin America, is winning rec...
Arcos Dorados, operator of the McDonald’s brand in Latin America, is winning recognition for its successful initial public offering last year.

Gov. Luis Fortuño announced Wednesday a new Government Development Bank program...

‎Saturday, ‎February ‎11, ‎2012, ‏‎4:45:25 PM | Puerto Rico Business NewsGo to full article

Gov. Luis Fortuño announced Wednesday a new Government Development Bank program...
Gov. Luis Fortuño announced Wednesday a new Government Development Bank program...
Gov. Luis Fortuño announced Wednesday a new Government Development Bank program aimed at sparking up to $800 million in commercial bank lending to small and midsize businesses. http://ow.ly/903OVGDB aims to spur $800M in bank loans to businesses - caribbeanbusiness.prow.lyPuerto Rico's #1 news and information website in English...

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Authorities in the Dominican Republic have r...

‎Saturday, ‎February ‎11, ‎2012, ‏‎4:45:19 PM | Puerto Rico Business NewsGo to full article

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Authorities in the Dominican Republic have r...
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Authorities in the Dominican Republic have r...
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Authorities in the Dominican Republic have recovered 10 more bodies from the weekend sinking of a boat carrying illegal migrants. That raises the confirmed death toll to 51. http://ow.ly/903LXDR migrant toll at 51 as search ends - caribbeanbusiness.prow.lyPuerto Rico's #1 news and information website in English

Adults in the states, much like their counterparts in Puerto Rico, are divided o...

‎Saturday, ‎February ‎11, ‎2012, ‏‎4:45:12 PM | Puerto Rico Business NewsGo to full article

Adults in the states, much like their counterparts in Puerto Rico, are divided o...
Adults in the states, much like their counterparts in Puerto Rico, are divided o...
Adults in the states, much like their counterparts in Puerto Rico, are divided on the best status option for the island, according to a new survey. http://ow.ly/903BDPoll: US also divided on PR status - caribbeanbusiness.prow.lyPuerto Rico's #1 news and information website in English

Bottles of Captain Morgan rum have begun rolling out of Diageo’s new distillery...

‎Saturday, ‎February ‎11, ‎2012, ‏‎4:45:05 PM | Puerto Rico Business NewsGo to full article

Bottles of Captain Morgan rum have begun rolling out of Diageo’s new distillery...
Bottles of Captain Morgan rum have begun rolling out of Diageo’s new distillery...
Bottles of Captain Morgan rum have begun rolling out of Diageo’s new distillery in St. Croix after the brand was lured away from Puerto Rico by tasty incentives from the U.S. Virgin Islands government. http://ow.ly/903wtCaptain Morgan starts flowing in USVI - caribbeanbusiness.prow.lyPuerto Rico's #1 news and information website in English

House Speaker Jenniffer González is warning that more referrals may be coming as...

‎Saturday, ‎February ‎11, ‎2012, ‏‎4:44:57 PM | Puerto Rico Business NewsGo to full article

House Speaker Jenniffer González is warning that more referrals may be coming as...
House Speaker Jenniffer González is warning that more referrals may be coming as...
House Speaker Jenniffer González is warning that more referrals may be coming as the lower chamber continues to probe the handling of the $1 billion Special Communities program. http://ow.ly/903t3House speaker warns more referrals possible in Special Communities probe...ow.lyPuerto Rico's #1 news and information website in English

MADRID — Spain’s new conservative government approved sweeping labor market refo...

‎Saturday, ‎February ‎11, ‎2012, ‏‎4:44:51 PM | Puerto Rico Business NewsGo to full article

MADRID — Spain’s new conservative government approved sweeping labor market refo...
MADRID — Spain’s new conservative government approved sweeping labor market refo...
MADRID — Spain’s new conservative government approved sweeping labor market reforms on Friday as part of a drive to retool a sick economy and solve Europe’s worst unemployment nightmare. http://ow.ly/8ZYOFSpain approves crucial labor reforms - caribbeanbusiness.prow.lyPuerto Rico's #1 news and information website in English...

ASHINGTON — Monthly U.S. exports to Europe grew in December, a hopeful sign afte...

‎Saturday, ‎February ‎11, ‎2012, ‏‎4:44:43 PM | Puerto Rico Business NewsGo to full article

ASHINGTON — Monthly U.S. exports to Europe grew in December, a hopeful sign afte...
ASHINGTON — Monthly U.S. exports to Europe grew in December, a hopeful sign afte...
ASHINGTON — Monthly U.S. exports to Europe grew in December, a hopeful sign after a steep decline the previous month. But, some economists remain concerned that the region’s debt crisis will still weigh on the U.S. economy this year. http://ow.ly/8ZYKEUS trade gap widens to $588B in 11; exports and imports hit all-time...ow.lyPuerto Rico's #1 news and information website in English

WASHINGTON — Don’t have the slightest clue what your health insurance covers? ht...

‎Saturday, ‎February ‎11, ‎2012, ‏‎4:44:35 PM | Puerto Rico Business NewsGo to full article

WASHINGTON — Don’t have the slightest clue what your health insurance covers? ht...
WASHINGTON — Don’t have the slightest clue what your health insurance covers? ht...
WASHINGTON — Don’t have the slightest clue what your health insurance covers? http://ow.ly/8YKMSFeds to require consumer-friendly health plan summaries -...ow.lyPuerto Rico's #1 news and information website in English...

Gov. Luis Fortuño told CARIBBEAN BUSINESS that his Popular Democratic Party oppo...

‎Saturday, ‎February ‎11, ‎2012, ‏‎4:44:29 PM | Puerto Rico Business NewsGo to full article

Gov. Luis Fortuño told CARIBBEAN BUSINESS that his Popular Democratic Party oppo...
Gov. Luis Fortuño told CARIBBEAN BUSINESS that his Popular Democratic Party oppo...
Gov. Luis Fortuño told CARIBBEAN BUSINESS that his Popular Democratic Party opponent Sen. Alejandro García Padilla has no standing to question government expenses on the Vía Verde project. http://ow.ly/8YKFnFortuño defends Vía Verde tab; jabs at PDP rival over Mideast trip, tax...ow.lyPuerto Rico's #1 news and information website in English

Puerto Rico’s Popular Inc. climbed in an annual ranking of the top 500 global ba...

‎Saturday, ‎February ‎11, ‎2012, ‏‎4:44:24 PM | Puerto Rico Business NewsGo to full article

Puerto Rico’s Popular Inc. climbed in an annual ranking of the top 500 global ba...
Puerto Rico’s Popular Inc. climbed in an annual ranking of the top 500 global ba...
Puerto Rico’s Popular Inc. climbed in an annual ranking of the top 500 global banking brands. http://ow.ly/8YKChPopular rises in global brand index - caribbeanbusiness.prow.lyPuerto Rico's #1 news and information website in English

Authorities in the Dominican Republic have busted a smuggling ring that allegedl...

‎Saturday, ‎February ‎11, ‎2012, ‏‎4:44:19 PM | Puerto Rico Business NewsGo to full article

Authorities in the Dominican Republic have busted a smuggling ring that allegedl...
Authorities in the Dominican Republic have busted a smuggling ring that allegedl...
Authorities in the Dominican Republic have busted a smuggling ring that allegedly shipped millions of dollars worth of cocaine into Puerto Rico and sent planeloads of cash back to the neighboring Caribbean country. http://ow.ly/8WUCBPR businessmen nabbed in drug probe - caribbeanbusiness.prow.lyPuerto Rico's #1 news and information website in English

Triple-S Management Corp. posted net income of $19 million for the fourth quarte...

‎Saturday, ‎February ‎11, ‎2012, ‏‎4:44:14 PM | Puerto Rico Business NewsGo to full article

Triple-S Management Corp. posted net income of $19 million for the fourth quarte...
Triple-S Management Corp. posted net income of $19 million for the fourth quarte...
Triple-S Management Corp. posted net income of $19 million for the fourth quarter of 2011, a decrease of $1.1 million from the same period a year ago. http://ow.ly/8WUqdTriple-S posts 4Q, full-year results - caribbeanbusiness.prow.lyPuerto Rico's #1 news and information website in English

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — The number of victims who died after a boat...

‎Saturday, ‎February ‎11, ‎2012, ‏‎4:44:09 PM | Puerto Rico Business NewsGo to full article

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — The number of victims who died after a boat...
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — The number of victims who died after a boat...
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — The number of victims who died after a boat overloaded with migrants capsized this weekend near the Dominican Republic has risen to 29, officials said Wednesday. http://ow.ly/8WUldDeath toll rises in DR yola sinking - caribbeanbusiness.prow.lyPuerto Rico's #1 news and information website in English

The Puerto Rico government might be moving in on some high-end property in the h...

‎Saturday, ‎February ‎11, ‎2012, ‏‎4:44:06 PM | Puerto Rico Business NewsGo to full article

The Puerto Rico government might be moving in on some high-end property in the h...
The Puerto Rico government might be moving in on some high-end property in the h...
The Puerto Rico government might be moving in on some high-end property in the heart to of the “Golden Mile” financial district in San Juan. http://ow.ly/8WS5VPR government may buy World Plaza - caribbeanbusiness.prow.lyPuerto Rico's #1 news and information website in English

HAVANA — When it started, American teenagers were doing “The Twist.” The United...

‎Saturday, ‎February ‎11, ‎2012, ‏‎4:44:00 PM | Puerto Rico Business NewsGo to full article

HAVANA — When it started, American teenagers were doing “The Twist.” The United...
HAVANA — When it started, American teenagers were doing “The Twist.” The United...
HAVANA — When it started, American teenagers were doing “The Twist.” The United States had yet to put a man into orbit around the Earth. And a first-class U.S. postage stamp cost 4 cents. http://ow.ly/8WUeqEconomic embargo on Cuba turns 50 - caribbeanbusiness.prow.lyPuerto Rico's #1 news and information website in English

Puerto Rico News - Archive Links's Facebook Wall ‎Today, ‎February ‎13, ‎2012

Puerto Rico News - Archive Links's Facebook Wall

‎Today, ‎February ‎13, ‎2012, ‏‎6 minutes ago

‎Today, ‎February ‎13, ‎2012, ‏‎6 minutes ago | Puerto Rico News - Archive LinksGo to full article


Will Puerto Rico Soon Become the 51st State?
www.opposingviews.com
A recent debate in Florida between the Republican presidential contenders focused briefly on the subject of new statehood, namely, is there a chance that a 51st state will be added to the union soon? There seemed to be broad consensus that the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico would be the front-runner fo...

‎Today, ‎February ‎13, ‎2012, ‏‎3 hours ago | Puerto Rico News - Archive LinksGo to full article


Politics of Puerto Rico - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org
The politics of Puerto Rico take place in the framework of a republican democratic form of government that is under the jurisdiction and sovereignty of the United States of America as an organized unincorporated territory.

‎Today, ‎February ‎13, ‎2012, ‏‎3 hours ago | Puerto Rico News - Archive LinksGo to full article


President Obama Arrives in Puerto Rico
www.youtube.com
The President speaks about his Administration's commitment to the people of Puerto Rico as he arrives in San Juan. June 14, 2011.

‎Today, ‎February ‎13, ‎2012, ‏‎3 hours ago | Puerto Rico News - Archive LinksGo to full article


Gov Luis Fortuno, Puerto Rico at Governor's Mansion CPAC Cruise 2010
www.youtube.com
Gov Luis Fortuno of Puerto Rico at Governor's Mansion CPAC Cruise 2010 Video by Lisa Miller, Tea Party WDC

‎Today, ‎February ‎13, ‎2012, ‏‎3 hours ago | Puerto Rico News - Archive LinksGo to full article


Luis Fortuño - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org
Luis Guillermo Fortuño Burset (born October 31, 1960) is the governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a territory of the United States of America. Fortuño is also the president of the New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico (NPP), a member of the Republican National Committee, and will be president...

8:21 AM 2/13/2012: Fortuño's Plan to Energize Puerto Rico - Wall Street Journal

‎Today, ‎February ‎13, ‎2012, ‏‎3 hours ago | Puerto Rico News - Archive LinksGo to full article

8:21 AM 2/13/2012: Fortuño's Plan to Energize Puerto Rico - Wall Street Journal

8:21 AM 2/13/2012: Fortuño's Plan to Energize Puerto Rico - Wall Street Journal
Puerto Rico News - Archive Links's Profile Associated PressGov. Louis Fortuño's efforts to reduce Puerto Rico's high electricity prices are opposed by environmentalists. Puerto Rico News - Archive Links FEBRUARY 13, 2012, 6:56 A.M. ETFortuño's Plan to Energize Puerto Rico Tax cuts and regulatory reforms are increasing investment on the island.

Associated Press Gov. Louis Fortuño's efforts to reduce Puerto Rico's high elect...

‎Today, ‎February ‎13, ‎2012, ‏‎4 hours ago | Puerto Rico News - Archive LinksGo to full article

Associated Press
Gov. Louis Fortuño's efforts to reduce Puerto Rico's high electricity prices are opposed by environmentalists.

FEBRUARY 13, 2012, 6:56 A.M. ET Fortuño's Plan to Energize Puerto Rico Tax cut...

‎Today, ‎February ‎13, ‎2012, ‏‎4 hours ago | Puerto Rico News - Archive LinksGo to full article

FEBRUARY 13, 2012, 6:56 A.M. ET
Fortuño's Plan to Energize Puerto Rico
Tax cuts and regulatory reforms are increasing investment on the island.
By MARY ANASTASIA O'GRADY
Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
Full story: Wall Street Journal
So Mitt Romney doesn't "care about the very poor." But what about the rest of the American political class who jumped all over him for his recent gaffe? Its loud protestations aside, how truly interested is Washington in reducing poverty?
That question occurred to me during an interview with Puerto Rican Gov. Luis Fortuño here 10 days ago. If his plan to boost the island's competitiveness by switching electricity generation from oil to natural gas is to succeed, he's going to need relief from the pernicious 1920 Jones Act. It prohibits any ship not made in the U.S. from carrying cargo between U.S. ports. There are no liquefied-natural-gas (LNG) tankers made in the U.S. Unless Puerto Rico gets a Jones Act exemption, it cannot take advantage of the U.S. natural gas bonanza to make itself more competitive.
The Jones Act is good if you are a union shipbuilder who doesn't like competition, or a member of Congress who takes political contributions from the maritime lobby. But it's bad if you are a low-income Puerto Rican who needs a job. And there are plenty of those.
Puerto Ricans are American citizens but they are significantly poorer than the rest of the country. Per capita income on the island in 2010 was roughly $16,300 compared to just over $47,000 for the nation as a whole.
Life on the island is also expensive, in part because of the high price of electricity, 68% of which is produced using imported oil. The governor's office says that the price of electricity here went up 100% from 2001 to 2011.
Gov. Louis Fortuño's efforts to reduce Puerto Rico's high electricity prices are opposed by environmentalists.
.
Mr. Fortuño made a name for himself by refusing to raise taxes when he inherited a welfare-state basket case in 2009. Instead he eliminated 21,000 government jobs—13% of the total central government work force—cut taxes and began aggressively deregulating. For the record, he did impose a temporary excise tax (set to expire in 2016) on multinational corporations because, he says, Puerto Rican companies pay much higher rates and it was the only fair way to spread the pain during the fiscal emergency.
His reforms have paid off. In a ranking of budget deficits as a percentage of revenues with the 50 states, the island now places 15th, up from 51st three years ago, according to the governor. Unemployment is "down" to 13% from a high of almost 17% in July 2010 and after six straight years of economic contraction, Mr. Fortuño expects 2012 economic growth to be 1%-1.25%. With the U.S. economy expected to grow at only around 2.5%, he says that will put Puerto Rico close to its long-term historical relationship with the mainland. His polls show it might even be enough to get him re-elected in November, something that he admits looked impossible only one year ago.
The governor knows that Puerto Rico ought to be growing faster than the national economy, and he recognizes that won't happen unless he can make it a more promising destination for capital. His tax cuts and regulatory streamlining have had some effect. The Economist Intelligence Unit reported in November that it expects gross fixed investment to "rebound by a modest 2% in 2011-12, the first growth in several years." But Puerto Rico needs more.
Public-private infrastructure projects may help: A $1.5 billion toll-road concession from San Juan west to Hatilo and Aguadilla; public-private partnerships in education bringing $878 million to the island for the modernization of 100 schools; and bidding is now under way for a concession to modernize the Luis Muñoz Marín Airport in San Juan.
But bringing down high energy costs remains a fundamental challenge, and one that is exacerbated by new costly federal regulations on emissions that would require the installation of scrubbers on oil-fired electricity plants. To meet those regulations affordably, Mr. Fortuño wants to convert the island's oil-fired plants to cheaper, cleaner natural gas. To that end, he proposes a pipeline from the southern LNG terminal at Punta Guayanilla across the island to San Juan. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has assessed the proposal and said it would produce no significant environmental impact.
It sounds like a plan to help the poor and unemployed. There are only two problems. First, the Sierra Club and local environmentalists have ginned up fears about the project and promised to sue to stop construction. Second, the Jones Act is still in the way.
The governor admits that his administration could have done a better job communicating the pipeline plan to Puerto Ricans, but he also points out that "some of the same groups that have opposed the pipeline have also opposed wind-power and solar projects. They are opposing everything, including waste-to-energy" projects which he maintains are less polluting than landfills.
Mr. Fortuño says that he expects Washington to give him a carve-out for LNG tankers, but he doesn't have it yet. He also says that a large part of the environmentalist push-back is political, suggesting to me that he ought to be more worried than he is. This kind of politics needs to preserve the status quo of the welfare state. And that implies blocking Mr. Fortuño's development agenda no matter what it means to the poor.
Write to O'Grady@wsj.com

‎Today, ‎February ‎13, ‎2012, ‏‎4 hours ago | Puerto Rico News - Archive LinksGo to full article


O'Grady: Fortuno's Plan to Energize Puerto Rico - Topix
www.topix.com
So Mitt Romney doesn't "care about the very poor." But what about the rest of the American political class who jumped all over him for his recent gaffe? Its loud protestations aside, how truly interested is Washington in reducing poverty? That question occurred to me during an interview with Puerto ...

Puerto Rico News, February 11-12, 2012

‎Yesterday, ‎February ‎12, ‎2012, ‏‎12:07:54 PM | Puerto Rico News - Archive LinksGo to full article

Puerto Rico News, February 11-12, 2012
Puerto Rico News, ‎February 11-‎12, ‎2012
Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall ‎Today, ‎February ‎12, ‎2012, ‏‎12 minutes ago The Wild Side of Puerto Rico: Rainforests and glowing waters - CultureMap Austin ‎Today, ‎February ‎12, ‎2012, ‏‎12 minutes ago | Puerto Rico News The Wild Side of Puerto Rico: Rainforests and glowing waters - CultureMap AustinThe Wild Side of Puerto Rico: Rainforests and glowing waters - CultureMap AustinCultureMap AustinThe Wild Side of Puerto Rico: Rainforests and glowing watersCultureMap

‎Yesterday, ‎February ‎12, ‎2012, ‏‎10:47:56 AM | Puerto Rico News - Archive LinksGo to full article


Poll: US also divided on PR status - caribbeanbusiness.pr
cb.pr
Puerto Rico's #1 news and information website in English

‎Yesterday, ‎February ‎12, ‎2012, ‏‎10:47:26 AM | Puerto Rico News - Archive LinksGo to full article


PR businessmen nabbed in drug probe - caribbeanbusiness.pr
cb.pr
Puerto Rico's #1 news and information website in English

‎Saturday, ‎February ‎11, ‎2012, ‏‎3:48:43 PM | Puerto Rico News - Archive LinksGo to full article

Conservative group declares itself anti-statehood Puerto Rico Daily Sun 11/02/12 - Topix
www.topix.com
Please note by clicking on "Post Comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Service and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator. Send us your feedback.

Cardinal Luis Aponte Martinez of San Juan and Wanda Rolon, a Puerto Rican megach...

‎Saturday, ‎February ‎11, ‎2012, ‏‎8:05:45 AM | Puerto Rico News - Archive LinksGo to full article

Cardinal Luis Aponte Martinez of San Juan and Wanda Rolon, a Puerto Rican megachurch pastor have come out with harsh words for Ricky Martin due to his now openly admitted homosexuality.
Wanda Rolon's comments were particularly scathing. She described him as someone "who wants to take people to hell". She compared gay men to drug addicts and alcoholics.
While Ricky Martin responded during a concert that he desired his homeland to be without prejudice, I'm sure that Puerto Rico's gay and lesbian community is none too pleased with the comments. However, it does accurately reflect the feelings of many Puerto Ricans (as it does elsehwere in many parts of the world).
"Puerto Rico - A Paradise Lost?" Blog
http://puertorico.countrytoolbox.com/puerto-rico-blog-22/cardinal-luis-aponte-martinez-condemns-ricky-martin-homosexuality-411/

4:45 PM 2/10/2012

‎Friday, ‎February ‎10, ‎2012, ‏‎5:30:33 PM | Puerto Rico News - Archive LinksGo to full article

4:45 PM 2/10/2012

4:45 PM 2/10/2012
Mike Nova's starred items 9.2.12 via Puerto Rico News - Archive Links's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News - Archive Links on 2/10/12 9.2.12 News Archive Links – 2.9.2012 - 2011 via Puerto Rico News - Archive Links's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News - Archive Links on 2/10/12 News Archive Links – 2.9.2012 - 2011News Archive Links – 2.9.2012 - 2011Mike Nova's starred items 'Testimonios,' Popular Arts at El Museo...