Puerto Rico updates driver’s licenses to address controversies 

In the wake of a controversy that erupted last year when a Hertz employee denied a Puerto Rican a rental car because the employee did not know or believe Puerto Rico was part of the United States, the Island has now added the letters “USA” to the top of its driver’s licenses. Hertz issued an apology afterward and promised to retrain employees, but the problem persists. A New York Times poll showed that almost half of Americans do not know that Puerto Ricans are US citizens, leading to many examples of discrimination, including a recent incident where a family flying out of Los Angeles was denied entry on a flight because their toddler did not have a passport. Despite this move, there is still fear among many Puerto Ricans that this will do little to reduce the discrimination they routinely face.

Toxic coal ash remains problem in Puerto Rico 

Fourteen municipalities, including Salinas, used coal ash, a byproduct of coal-fired power plants, as a cheap building material for road construction between 2004 and 2011.  The material is a byproduct of burning coal and is known to contain a long list of toxic and radioactive chemicals, which left these cities covered in chemicals that the EPA did not begin to regulate until 2015.  The problem is worst along Puerto Rico’s south coast, where a coal-fired power plant in Guayama led to deposits of more than 1.5 million tons of coal ash. In July 2022, EPA Administrator Michael Regan visited the region to meet with residents about this issue and view the damage left behind, which has led to numerous public health issues.  The EPA began its own water testing this year, but the results have not yet been made public.

Social Security funds to boost Puerto Rico economy next year 

Social Security beneficiaries will receive a 3.2% increase in their benefits next year as part of annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA). In Puerto Rico, this amounts to an injection of $353 million into the local economy through the Island’s 829,232 beneficiaries. Current monthly Social Security benefits in Puerto Rico average $1,107/month and that will increase to $1,142/month. Though a solid boost, the numbers lag in comparison to the benefits on the mainland, where the average monthly payment is currently $1,848 and will grow to $1,907 next year. The increase will be automatic and all beneficiaries will be notified of their exact change in benefits in December.

$563 million in federal contracts awarded to Puerto Rican companies 

The Federal Contracting Center (FeCC) in Puerto Rico’s Department of Economic Development and Commerce announced that nearly $563 million in federal contracts were awarded to 456 companies in Puerto Rico during the last fiscal year, from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023. These companies include the tourism, agricultural, administrative services, forestry, and social assistance sectors, among others. In the coming months, the FeCC plans to hold public events to continue to help Island companies learn about grant opportunities.