Borinquen MadeDated notes on Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico news: economy and politics
This desk gathers dated notes on the economy and politics of Puerto Rico, taken from named outlets. It is not the magazine's historical archive. Each note cites its outlet. It is not original reporting.
A dated, sourced desk. Each note names its outlet. It is not original reporting. Figures are those the source published. If sources disagree, both layers are left in place.
CPI: Tribble and Zamot met before Cobra’s multimillion contract
The FEMA official under federal inquiry summoned Cobra and the Board in January 2018; investigation is not conviction.
Board certifies Puerto Rico’s 2019 Fiscal Plan
May 9: debt+pensions >$120 billion; structural deficits >$7 billion pre-plan; CFO, energy and Medicaid in the PROMESA frame.
Court confirms COFINA’s Title III Plan of Adjustment
Doc. 5048, February 4, 2019; Third Amended Plan CONFIRMED under PROMESA §314(b). Commonwealth-COFINA Settlement approved. Confirmation ≠ Effective Date.
FEMA approves multimillion federal-funds reimbursement
FEMA approves $152.5 million Public Assistance disbursement to reimburse PREPA, Education and three municipalities (COR3).
Government resubmits the September 7, 2018 Fiscal Plan after Notice of Violation
AAFAF submission Sep 7, 2018 (not Oct 23 certification). María damage >$80 billion; estimated relief ~$86 billion ≠ disbursed. GNP FY18 −7.6%.
Government spends more than the Board on Title III lawyers
14 months: Government ~$90 million vs Board (~$25 million less); tab >$220 million; PREPA/fiscal-plan duplication.
Corrections awards CoreCivic inmate-transfer contract
Contract >$10 million (Jul 31); 3,200 inmates/5 years; per diem ~$63–67; pending Board. Fortuño precedent $10.4 million.
CPI and LatinoJustice sue FEMA for withholding María data
FOIA unanswered ~6 months; catastrophic plan and housing denials. Lawsuit ≠ judgment on the merits.
Board certifies its own FY2019 budget after legislative failure
In force from July 1: ~$8.76 billion General Fund and ~$20.66 billion consolidated; also BGF, ACT, UPR, AAA and PREPA.
Comptroller: adverse opinion on UPR-Arecibo over teacher-workshop scheme
CP-18-13 (June 14, 2018). DE contracts $2.92 million; hotels $800,841; hidden expenses $35,603. FEI 63 charges. Adverse opinion ≠ conviction.
Showdown intensifies: Board rejects Rosselló’s budget
Jaresko gives five days; Sobrino refuses labor reform, Christmas-bonus cut and Board increase. Rosselló had submitted $8.79 billion.
Culebra: $2.3 million in rent while the emergency plant sleeps
6 MW project stalled 4 years; Rimco $27,000/month since 2011; Masterlink–PREPA litigation under Title III.
Multiple investigations show FEMA’s pattern of noncompliance
CPI: OIG/AP — pattern of authorizing then denying reimbursements; FY2016 $155.6 million questioned; $1.06 billion to recover 2009–15.
Puerto Rico already totals $1,000 million in federal hurricane funds
EFE/ENDI: $1,000 million federal aid Irma/María; >1 million FEMA applications; funds for >360k families.
PREPA moves to cancel the $300 million Whitefish contract
Associated Press dates October 29, 2017; the DHS OIG arrives in July 2020.
Congress examines the Whitefish Energy Holdings contract
PREPA awards $300 million ceiling contract to Whitefish (2 employees); grid at 20% five weeks after María; Congress examines.
Hurricane María: where the response failed (and Whitefish entered)
FEMA $430 million disbursed; PREPA Whitefish vs $25 million deposit; $128 million advance + $213 million reimbursement.
CPI: the main bidders in the Title III bankruptcy
Mutual Fund Group $7.2 billion; Oppenheimer $4.9 billion; Franklin $1.8 billion; Santander $478 million.
White House seeks up to $29 billion in Irma/María/Harvey aid
$13B for victims + $16B flood insurance; FEMA ~$200 million/day. Request ≠ disbursement or debt wipeout.
Board greenlights $1 billion of the budget for the emergency
JSF authorizes redirecting up to $1 billion post-María; emergency fund + reserve. Authorization ≠ federal disbursement.