Faced with physical and economic devastation, Puerto Rico now has a once-in-a-generation chance to rebuild its infrastructure and economic foundation.To succeed, decisive leadership is required on the island and in the US Congress. A new, far-reaching plan must be set to restore economic growth.

On September 20th, Puerto Rico was hit by one of the most powerful hurricanes ever recorded.The damage was severe. Over 1000 people may have been killed, the electrical system was knocked out, and 45 days after the hurricane almost 60 percent of the island was still without electricity.

Almost half a million housing units were destroyed by the storm, and over 80 percent of crops died. A large amount of the water supply is still not potable, and many schools have yet to reopen. Hospitals are also operating at a reduced capacity, while funding for government healthcare programs is running out.The Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College estimates that about 14 percent of the population will leave the island from 2017-2019.

Read more