Power 4 Puerto Rico

Campaigns

• Tell Congress: Puerto Ricans need government help & transparency now

  Here are areas Congress must address to help Puerto Rico: Relief package Congress must move quickly on the $94 billion aid package requested by the Puerto Rican government. The initial $15 billion aid package is far short of what is needed. The generosity of everyday Americans — including groups like the Hispanic Federation and many MoveOn members — helped to provide food and water to those in need. But that's not enough. Puerto Rico needs more disaster aid and the federal government needs to ensure that all funds are distributed fairly, efficiently, and without any further delay. Community-Driven Rebuilding Congress established the Financial Oversight and Management Board (FOMB) to oversee the Island’s debt. The entity is far too removed from Puerto Rico’s communities to properly identify needs and allocate resources. Congress and federal agencies should explore alternatives to the unelected FOMB that rely on existing structures, precedent, and the leadership of disaster recovery and reconstruction experts working hand-in-hand with affected communities. Debt relief Puerto Rico's creditors should do the right thing and walk away. It is the only way forward. Anything short of full debt forgiveness would be a brutal form of economic punishment to a people already suffering. Taxes Since the now-passed tax reform legislation treats Puerto Rico as a foreign jurisdiction, tell Congress they must remedy that immediately as well making tax benefits and incentives like the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit available for Puerto Rico's working families. Healthcare 3.4 million Americans live on the island, but Puerto Rico receives only a small portion of the Medicaid funding that it would qualify for as a state. The island’s hospitals and health centers are struggling in the wake of the storm. We all have watched in horror how the death toll has been undercounted—by perhaps 1,000 people, according to credible estimates. With the health of so many at risk, let's provide Medicaid parity while streamlining enrollment to many who are not working and need health care. There's no shortage of compassion and goodwill for Puerto Rico among the American people. But it must be matched by the recognition of our government that the American citizens of Puerto Rico need, demand, and require equal treatment. Please sign this petition to join the work Power 4 Puerto Rico and I are doing to help Puerto Ricans.

  218,460 of 300,000 Signatures

  Created by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Power 4 Puerto Rico
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  Cancel the LUMA contract that has left Puerto Ricans without power over and over again!

  Before Hurricane Fiona hit, Puerto Ricans were being subjected to nearly daily power outages that were burning out generators, leaving hospital patients at risk, and forcing children to do their homework under flashlights. For this state of misery under the LUMA Energy consortium, households and businesses were issued SEVEN rate hikes—in one year alone. This abuse is unconscionable. After more than 100 organizations sent letters to the Commonwealth and Federal governments, and to Congress, and after attempts by legislators in the Island to withhold funding from LUMA Energy were blocked by a Congressionally-imposed fiscal control board, Puerto Ricans en masse took to the streets. Their demand that went unheeded: Cancel the LUMA contract. Gov. Pedro Pierluisi, we echo the call of the people being harmed by this bad contract and incompetent service provider. Do right by the people by canceling this contract before Nov. 30th. Otherwise LUMA will be locked in for 15 years. In fact, all you have to do is not sign any renewal contract. To President Biden and Congress, we say Puerto Rico MUST have a sustainable and clean, renewable energy grid that is reliable, hurricane or not. The federal government should take immediate steps so that what should have been done after Hurricane Maria is accomplished. Federal reconstruction funding to rebuild the electricity grid should be required to be used for only sustainable and clean, renewable energy projects, not dirty, polluting fossil fuels. FEMA should reprogram the tens of billions already available in disaster funding to municipalities and NGOs. As energy experts advise, Congress should move to cancel all or a substantial portion of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority’s debt. FEMA officials recently testified that out of $13 billion available in US grid reconstruction funds, only $40 million had been disbursed, FIVE years after Hurricane Maria. Enough is enough! Please join the demands of the people of Puerto Rico: #CancelLUMA, #CleanGrid4PR #CommunityDrivenRecovery

  20,593 of 25,000 Signatures

  Created by Power 4 Puerto Rico