The Puerto Rico Advisory Committee Publishes its Second Memorandum on Economic Perspectives in Relation to the Effects of the Insular Cases and the Non-Incorporation Doctrine[...]

The Puerto Rico Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee) to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (the Commission) announces the publication of its second memorandum as part of its study on the effects of the Insular Cases and the Non-Incorporation Doctrine on the civil rights of the residents of Puerto Rico. This is the second part of the "General Overview" phase of this study.

With a focus on economic perspectives, the Committee highlights several findings and recommendations identified in the testimony it has received from experts on the subject. Among the findings identified in the testimony by the Committee, it analyzes how the tax system has historically benefited certain economic sectors at the expense of Puerto Rico's sustainable economic development. In addition, it highlights the tax differences between Puerto Rico and the states and also analyzes how a change in status could affect the economy in Puerto Rico. The Committee also developed preliminary recommendations for this stage of the project.

The Committee Chair, Andrés Córdova Phelps, said: "We thank the panelists for their contributions and the opportunity to study this complex issue for the island and its relationship with the United States. We hope this document will help shed light on how the current political status has limited economic development in Puerto Rico."