Federal Funds Anchor New Fiscal Plan

The FOMB for Puerto Rico certified a new fiscal plan for the central government on Friday, April 23. The new Fiscal Plan, just like the others, is based on four core elements: (1) budget consolidation (spending cuts and revenue increases); (2) structural reforms; (3) debt relief; and (4) federal funding for disaster relief and COVID-19 assistance.

Beyond LUMA: Some Lessons from the International Experience Restructuring Electricity Markets

The agreement between PREPA and LUMA Energy for the operation and management of Puerto Rico’s electric grid has been in the public spotlight recently. Many private sector organizations, as well as multiple NGOs, have pointed out the deficiencies of that agreement. Yet, canceling or terminating the agreement with LUMA will not solve Puerto Rico’s electricity problems.

Comentarios sobre la Resolución de la Cámara Número 136

Ponencia del Centro para una Nueva Economía ante la Comisión de Desarrollo Económico, Planificación, Telecomunicaciones, Alianzas Público Privadas y Energía de la Cámara de Representantes de Puerto Rico. Vista Pública Sobre la R. de la C. 136.

The PREPA-LUMA Agreement

Back in August 2020, CNE published a report that analyzed important aspects of the agreement between PREPA and LUMA Energy and offered specific recommendations to improve it. Given the recent public debate regarding this transaction, we are republishing a summary of our findings.

Modified COVID Relief Package Clears Senate Hurdles

After an almost 27-hour session of amendments, debate, and last-minute negotiations within the Democratic camp, the Senate approved President Biden’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan on March 6, by a 50 to 49 vote.

SSI Litigation Update

There have been two recent developments in the ongoing litigation regarding the application of the Supplemental Security Income program to residents of Puerto Rico.

The Mess in Texas

Last week the people of Texas had their most recent close encounter with extreme weather. For the sixth time in twenty years, temperatures dropped to frigid lows and demand for electricity, as could be expected, shot up. But the manager of the Texas grid was singularly ill-equipped to face this foreseeable contingency.

The Earned Income Tax Credit

The Earned Income Tax Credit (“EITC”), enacted by Congress in 1975, is a tax credit available to working families in the United States whose incomes range from well below the federal poverty threshold to roughly double the poverty line.