Senator Sanders Joins SOMOS Conference; Backs Cuomo's Plan; Calls For Fair Treatment of Puerto Rico

State Senator James Sanders Jr. (D-Rochdale Village) joined Governor Cuomo and a delegation of New York State lawmakers for the Somos El Futuro conference in Puerto Rico, an annual event aimed at tackling issues affecting the Latin American community.  

While there, Sanders met with Puerto Rico's Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla to discuss the financial crisis facing the commonwealth, which is buried under $72 billion dollars in debt. Today, a huge march was held calling on President Obama to treat Puerto Rico more fairly. 

It is quite a conundrum. The American government won't give Puerto Rico the money to pay its debt, nor will it allow it to become a state so that it can declare bankruptcy. However, Governor Cuomo has outlined a plan, which Senator Sanders supports, that aims to alleviate some of Puerto Rico's financial burden.

Senator Sanders sent a letter to President Obama asking him to give Cuomo's strategy every possible consideration. The plan includes streamlining the healthcare system, making healthcare funding more equitable, and assisting the Puerto Rican government in applying for federal redesign funds. It also calls for new initiatives in energy and infrastructure; agriculture; tourism; and business and technology development. 

"We stand in solidarity with the people of Puerto Rico," Senator Sanders said. "Our government needs to step up and do what is fair and equitable to ensure that Puerto Rico can thrive and prosper, whether that means changes to the healthcare system, providing economic opportunities, or granting the commonwealth the same bankruptcy protections offered to mainland states. We can not abandon Puerto Rico and its people during their time of need."