Issuu

Wednesday, April 20-26, 2022 - // no. 156

Puerto Rico and the Caribbean

www.theweeklyjournal.com

Inflation stats are questioned P6 PR Comic Con, a Pop-Culture Summit P7 Congress seeks to boost Computerchip industry P9

In search of the

definitive tax reform Previous attempts have created a complex taxation web

Juan A. Hernández, The Weekly Journal

Canine park of dreams P15

jhernandez@wjournalpr.com

epending on which economist or accountant you ask, there has been four or five tax reforms enacted in Puerto Rico since 2006, which is also influenced by how these professionals define the term “tax reform.” Invariably, all previous attempts to reform Puerto Rico’s Tax Code have fell short of their intended purpose because instead of considering the code as a whole, legislation focused on specific aspects of it, under the guise of promoting economic development.

According to economist Sergio Marxuach, this incomplete and misnamed tax reforms have created “a complex web of tax rates layered on top of multiple credits, deductions, exclusions, and exemptions that in many cases are not justified. In an effort to bring some order, Governor Pedro Pierluisi announced last October the creation of an advisory group for the purpose of simplifying and improving the island’s tax system. “Yes, the tax system must be reformed. The quarterly reports required to small business must be simplified even more… Since we are a part GO TO PAGE 4

The Weekly Journal > Wednesday, April 20, 2022 >

The primary cause of the United Way of Puerto Rico is early childhood. That is why we are working with the United Ways of Poland, Romania and Hungary to support children and families displaced by the violence in Ukraine. The efforts include the provision of resources such as transportation, shelter, food, medicines, personal hygiene products, child care supplies, such as formulas and diapers, among other aids.

Your donation is very important, no matter the distance. Donate now to this vital cause by visiting unitedwaypr.org/ukraine or call us at 2-1-1 of Puerto Rico (787-268-5353). You can also send your donation to United Way de PR, PO Box 191914, San Juan, PR 00919

/ Wednesday, April 20, 2022

A WEEK IN REVIEW THE VIKING OCTANTIS STOPS IN SAN JUAN The newly inaugurated transatlantic luxury cruise Viking Octantis of the Viking line docked for the first time in Puerto Rico during its inaugural trip through the Caribbean. The Viking Octantis, together with the Viking Polaris, is part of the new Viking Expeditions brand. Both ships were specifically designed to make exploratory trips and provide an immersive cultural experience of the destinations visited while enjoying an atmosphere of luxury. The Octantis, with a capacity for a maximum of 378 passengers and 260 crew, will offer its passengers five excursions during their eight-hour stay in Puerto Rico: a guided tour of El Yunque National Forest; experiences in Old San Juan; a bird-watching excursion; a kayak adventure; and a visit to the agrotourism company Frutos del Guacabo. The cruise is on a trip through the Caribbean which includes stops at the ports of Bridgeport, Jamaica; Soufriere, Martinique; Basseterre, Saint Kitts; Gustavia, Saint Barts; Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and New York City. According to the official website of the Viking line, the cruise travels on itineraries ranging from 8 to 47 days to destinations such as Antarctica, Patagonia, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, and Ontario, among others.

WOMEN’S BARTENDING COMPETITION AT LA FACTORÍA

PRTV+ BRINGS ON-DEMAND TV AND RADIO

The global bartending challenge for women, Speed Rack, will be held on May 31 at La Factoría in Old San Juan, announced representatives of Puerto Rico Cocktail Week. Speed Rack is known worldwide as the first exclusive speed cocktail competition for anyone who identifies as a woman. It was created by two pioneers in the industry, Lynnette Marrero and Ivy Mix, both bartenders and mixologists born in the United States. Marrero established herself in the hospitality industry to such an extent that she was inducted into the Tales of the Cocktail Hall of Fame and named one of Fortune Food and Wine magazine’s Most Innovative Women in Food and Beverage. On the other hand, Mix owns the James Beard Awardnominated Leyenda bar in Brooklyn, New York. She was also named 2015’s Best American Bartender in Tales of the Cocktail. This edition of Speed Rack promises to be fierce, but it will also be fierce in fundraising. It will be donating funds to breast cancer research - to date, Speed Rack has raised $1,000,000 for organizations that support the cause.

Powered BY El Vocero de Puerto Rico, 1064 Ave Ponce de León 2nd floor San Juan, PR Postal Address: PO Box 15074, San Juan, PR 00902

The Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corporation is proud to present an innovative and unique tool: PRTV+, a multi-device application. PRTV+ broadcasts WIPR’s live radio and television signals free of charge throughout Puerto Rico and offers its programming to users in an ondemand delivery model. The PRTV+ app is also available in 116 regions, including the United States, Europe and Latin America, under the model of ‍Video on Demand (VOD). PRTV+ includes among its contents the three seasons of #EnCasaAprendo produced by WIPR for the Department of Education, in support of the academic plan to eradicate the lag among students. In addition, PRTV+ includes special content from ‍Notiséis 360’ and a selection of programs produced by the News Department. Likewise, it offers the cultural, gastronomic and dramatic contents of WIPR, as well as those produced for the departments of Natural Resources, Health and Public Safety.

President Salvador Hasbún shasbun@elvocero.com

VP of Accounting Félix A. Rosa frosa@elvocero.com

Human Resources Director Arlene Rolón, PHR arolon@elvocero.com

Vp of Marketing and Business Operations Michelle Pérez Miperez@elvocero.com

VP of Production Eligio Dekony edekony@elvocero.com

VP of Editorial Content Juan Miguel Muñiz Guzmán jmuniz@elvocero.com

Multi-Platform Graphic and Technology Director Héctor L. Vázquez hvazquez@elvocero.com

Phone: 787-622-2300, 787-721-2300

Multi-Plataform Digital Director María Arce marce@elvocero.com

Customer Service: 787-622-7480

/ Wednesday, April 20, 2022

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

simplicity and equity.” In a paper published last November, business advisory firm Kevane Grant Thornton stated of the U.S. economy and we compete, mainly, that “over the years, Puerto with other states, we need to Rico has adopted ‘tax make the impact of taxes less reforms’ that, instead of than the states’,” Pierluisi then simplifying and facilitating argued. doing business on the island, Fast-forward six months have made our tax system later, and Marxuach agrees, in one of the most complicated principle, with the governor – Governor Pedro and difficult in the region albeit not for the same reasons– Pierluisi announced and perhaps in the world.” but at the same time gives a last October the Furthermore, they argued that warning. creation of an “past reforms have focused “It cannot be denied that a advisory group mostly on income tax and thorough tax reform is needed. for the purpose minimal changes, if any, to Puerto Rico has a tax system of simplifying and the rest of the tax burdens that no one consciously would improving the that businesses must satisfy have built from the ground island’s tax system. (construction excise taxes, up. It is unduly burdensome municipal contributions such as to manage and enforce, it is the inventory tax, etc.).” inequitable…, it oftentimes encourages the inefficient allocation of resources, and it discourages certain What A Tax Reform Should Be kinds of economic activities,” Marxuach said. “Tax Now that the administration is in the process policy involves difficult trade-offs among various of formulating another tax reform –presumably objectives, such as revenue generation, efficiency, before the governor’s term expires– Marxuach

In fact,

Puerto Rico has a tax system that no one consciously would have built from the ground up. It is unduly burdensome to manage and enforce, it is inequitable. Sergio Marxuach Policy Director, CNE

ventured to suggest a series of conditions any reform must meet to accomplish its purpose; to basically broaden the tax base and increase revenues. Among his recommendations, Marxuach, who is the Policy Director and General Counsel for the Center for a New Economy (CNE), emphasized on the need to expand Puerto Rico’s tax base mainly by “eliminating some of those credits, deductions, exclusions, exemptions, and deferrals that have proliferated throughout the years.”

/ Wednesday, April 20, 2022

of the marginal tax rates. Despite considering that such proposal would have the opposite of increasing revenues, Marxuach contends that recent studies confirm that high marginal tax rates move taxpayers to invest a significant amount of resources to “both legally avoid and unlawfully evade taxes.” On the other hand, lowering marginal tax rates tends to reduce the incentives for tax evasion and effectively lead to higher tax revenues, if the tax base is expanded –by repealing ineffective tax preferences. Other recommendations and objectives of an effective tax reform are: making it comprehensive in order to avoid unintended effects and distortions produced by “partial, half-baked, or stop-gap reforms;” designing it to provide adequate financing for government operations; making it fairer and more equitable to the different sectors of society and upcoming generations; and introducing “green taxes” (taxing activities that are harmful to the environment).

Puerto Rico is too far reliant on tax incentives as a tool for incentivizing development. FOMB’s Tax Expenditures Report 2018

Obstacles “This has been thoroughly studied for decades: performance, it is highly unlikely these tax include as little deductions as possible, check for preferences are generating the real economic their cost-benefit ratio, keep the positive ones and benefits claimed by their proponents,” said discard the others,” Marxuach said. Marxuach stopping short of specifically mentioning Citing from a document from the Fiscal the controversial Acts 20, 22, and 60, and the Oversight Management Board (FOMB), dated benefits they provide to foreign investors December 2, 2021, Marxuach said that, as of fiscal establishing residence in Puerto Rico. year 2018, there were 424 tax Again, citing from the FOMB expenditures in effect. document, Marxuach also The economist recalled that recommended the tax system in 2015 international tax and be simplified because its advisory firm KPMG completed current complexity “hampers its a study on tax breaks granted administration, compliance and to individuals and concluded enforcement” and ultimately Previous attempts that only a “minimal amount decreases revenue collection. to reform Puerto of all the taxpayers actually According to the CNE Rico’s Tax Code have benefited from most of those policy director, current tax fell short of their preferences.” preferences have an aggregate intended purpose. “These preferences report cost exceeding $24.4 billion, little benefit and unnecessarily which is “roughly,” twice the complicate the [tax] system,” Commonwealth’s general fund. Marxuach argued, before For the FOMB it is clear advocating they be repealed. that “Puerto Rico is too far He did admit that arguments in favor of reliant on tax incentives as a tool for incentivizing enacting these kinds of tax preferences are based development and the magnitude of incentives on job creation and economic growth. “However, offered through the tax code is introducing heavy we have not seen a credible and thorough cost/ distortions and non-uniformity into the tax system benefit or return on investment analysis of each of and significantly contributes to the development of these tax preferences,” he said. an unfriendly underlying tax regime.” “Given Puerto Rico’s recent poor economic Another recommendation is the lowering

In fact,

For Marxuach, the lack of political will is the biggest hurdle any “effective” tax reform must overcome. As an example, he mentioned the inventory tax, which has been considered the source of many of the problems Puerto Ricans had to face after Hurricane María and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and more recently, since the war in Europe broke. “Business owners, shopkeepers only have inventories to last them just two weeks because they have to pay taxes for every can of beans they have in the warehouse. And that is the reason why, during emergency situations, we face scarcity of just about everything… food, building materials, medicines,” said Marxuach. “Revenue from those taxes go to municipal coffers, and that is why legislation to repeal the inventory tax has never been introduced: to avoid confrontation with the mayors,” he added, pointing to the political conflict that would ensue between mayors, legislators and the administration. Marxuach argues this situation clearly demonstrates the ultimate trade-off : how much is the country willing to give in exchange for a fair and equitable tax reform? “Comprehensive tax reform involves multiple complicated trade-offs among revenue generation, efficiency, simplicity, and equity objectives. The art and the difficulty, of tax reform lies in achieving a reasonable balance among these considerations,” Marxuach concluded.

/ Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Economists question the validity of Puerto Rico’s inflation statistics little measuring and updating”, he added after admitting that inflation on the island, while underestimated, doesn’t exceed that of the U.S. For Villeta Trigo, subsidies, federal funds and government aid have served as a kind of buffer that has acted upon cost reduction. “There is no other way to look at it. Inflation —which is nothing more than an increase in Ileanexis Vera Rosado, The Weekly Journal prices— is a social evil that impedes society to continue living… It doesn’t allow budgeting, thus society cannot function”, he argued. hile in the US. inflation Despite the cost of energy being excluded from rate stood at 8.5% by the CPI, it is one of the reasons why economists the end of March —the insist inflation in Puerto Rico is above the 4.7%, highest level in the last estimated by the Department of Labor and Human 40 years— it is estimated Resources. it reached 4.7% in Puerto Villeta Trigo estimated the cost of energy and Rico, a figure economists the cost of transportation have had an increase of on the island do not agree with because it is based 18.4% and 32%, respectively. on prices from a food basket dating back to 2006. For economist Leslie Juan Villeta Trigo, president Adames, the cost of electricity of the Puerto Rico Financial is not taken into account in Analysts Association, and who the CPI, to avoid mentioning was also the project manager the burden it represents to for the last review of the the consumer’s budget. “The Consumer Price Index (CPI) problem calculating the CPI The last review of in 2006, argued the figure stems from the data used in the Consumer Price published by the government Puerto Rico, vis a vis the data Index (CPI) was done “is real” because it corroborates used in the U.S. A 4.7% inflation in 2006. [the information from] collected is very low and does not make statistics, despite them not sense based on what we are being accurate or precise. experiencing”, he said. “The survey says that’s the Adames emphasized that the number, even if it is poorly difference between the figures for Puerto Rico and designed or incomplete. It must be admitted that the U.S. “is worrying.” we have flaws, but funds are not being allocated Having such inaccurate data also worries to bring in technical personnel. Without that, we economist Adrián Alós, who considers that, can’t get very far in telling the truth. In the U.S. they have a very sophisticated statistical structure,” consequently, the government has no updated and truthful information, making it impossible to take said Villeta Trigo. “In Puerto Rico, we are behind the correct decisions. in the cost analysis and adjustment. There is

Calculations are based on prices of a food basket dating back to 2006

In fact,

It must be admitted that we have flaws. Juan Villeta Trigo President, Puerto Rico Financial Analysts Association

“The [inflation] rate is wrong. It is much higher than that. Here, most of the goods are imported from the U.S. and if prices have increased there, how much more so here, where the cost of transportation must be added? The pattern of consumption on which the analysis is based, has changed significantly since 2006. This index must be recalibrated and the [food] basket updated,” said Alós, who estimates inflation on the island must be around 7.5%. On his part, economist José Alameda agreed that the island’s inflation rate “is not very credible” and attributed the lack of certainty to problems with the data from the Price Index. He explained that fine-tuning the Index would require surveys every ten years on the income and expenses of consumers, a consumption pattern that changes over the years. This survey has not been conducted since the administration of former governor Aníbal Acevedo Vilá. “Given the situation, the data does not correspond to Puerto Rico’s current circumstances. It [the data] has little credibility. Here, where there is a monopoly or an oligopoly structure in place because almost everything we consume comes from there [the U.S.], it [inflation] seems even higher than in the US. Definitely there are many hurdles with the reality”, Alameda said.

/ Wednesday, April 20, 2022

PR Comic Con

PRCC was a pioneer when it was held for the first time in 2002 at the YMCA in Hato Rey, with 1,000 people in attendance. Today, PRCC has grown to a three-day experience with an international scope and averaging 40,000 people in each edition. Twenty years after it all started, Carrión can clearly say the biggest development PRCC has experience is the international clout it has achieved, particularly in the U.S. Juan A. Hernández, The Weekly Journal “At the beginning it was really difficult to meet with our international peers. But as we got to be fter nearly a three-year hiatus known in the industry, things started to change. due to the pandemic, the Puerto The fact is that our best advertising is the people Rico Comic Con (PRCC) returned that comes every year to the convention. They to the Puerto Rico Convention are the ones that, through word of mouth, tell Center this last weekend to a everybody else ‘hey, Puerto Rico was great,’” resounding success. Carrión said. Described Despite the adverse effects of by its creators as a “summit the pandemic that caused the of pop culture,” the event cancellation of the event two brought together actors from years in a row, Carrión assured film and TV series, and comics, there was a silver lining to it. animation and video game “During the pandemic producers, as well as a host of It is estimated that we had the opportunity to cosplayers. the PRCC contributed strengthen the international “This year’s event was a between $5 and $7 communications we had been double-header celebration. Not million to Puerto developing with our peers,” he only did we come back after the Rico’s economy in assured. pandemic, but we celebrated just one weekend. According to Carrión, our 20th anniversary. It has the industry has changed been two decades of milestones, significantly in recent years. He memories, adventures, and estimated the PRCC contributed experiences shared with between $5 to $7 million to generations of people who have a passion for Puerto Rico’s economy in just one weekend. entertainment. Thanks to the fans’ support “The event itself is huge. We had exhibitors over the years, PRCC has become an important coming from Mexico, Panama and Colombia, and entertainment platform in the region,” said Ricardo of course from the U.S., just to mention a few. And Carrión, executive producer of the event. we had visitors coming from Argentina, Colombia,

Pop culture summit brought together comics and animation artists, video gamers and a host of cosplayers

Cosplayers representing a female version of Tengen Uzui, from the Japanese manga series Demon Slayer, and Kaneki, from Tokyo Ghoul. >The Weekly Journal

In fact,

The Puerto Rico Comic Con took place last weekend at the Puerto Rico Convention Center. >The Weekly Journal

We should now strengthen the event by adding other activities. Ricardo Carrión Producer, Puerto Rico Comic Con

Spain, and Germany,” he explained, referring to the different IP addresses from tickets bought online. “These all translates into room nights in hotels, meals at restaurants, transportation and general tax revenues,” he added. The event provides a marketing platform for brands to showcase their products and services, but the event producer admitted that many brands do not understand the nature and scope of an event like the PRCC. Still, there are many companies that are eager to jump at the opportunity to market their products to the younger crowd. Among the exhibitors were Econo Supermarkets, Kikuet, and Bimbo cookies, all with very crowded booths. For Carrión, PRCC’s next step would be to expand its offerings by extending its hours and to diversify activities. “We already are in the [convention] district. Events could be developed at night at the Music Hall after the events at the convention are done… maybe a movie premiere,” Ricardo Carrión mused about possible developments for the Comic Con. The event producer admitted the possibility of extending the event to other countries in Latin America “is on the table,” but he is concentrated on “delivering the show here” before venturing elsewhere.

/ Wednesday, April 20, 2022

MICTLAN:

a virtual immersion in Mesoamerican history An action-adventure video game set in the 15th century

Juan A. Hernández, The Weekly Journal

exico is the biggest video game consumer in Latin America with an estimated $8 billion in video console games alone. So, Mexico’s move towards becoming a regional power in this industry shouldn’t come as a surprise. “Mexico is in the process of creating a video games industry precisely because of the huge market it has. At this very moment there is no other country in Latin America immersed in this process, or developing a project like Mictlan,” said Guillermo Alarcón, founder and creative director of Meta Studios, the company developing the first Latin American AAA video game. The term “AAA Game” is a classification used within the video gaming industry to signify highbudget, high-profile games. Even though the game has some indie genes, Alarcón considers Mictlan to be in a new category: “independent AAA.” According to Alarcón, it takes between 70 and 200 people to produce an AAA-rated game in an indie studio; in a commercial studio that number can reach 400. For this AAA project one of the challenges is the lack of trained professionals because there is no a formal video game industry in Mexico. “What we are doing at Meta Studios is planning some four years ahead. For the last two years we’ve been providing workshops, training, technical advice to our artists, programmers and technicians so they learn how to use the technological tools available, so that, by the time the project is launched (2025), they are sufficiently proficient in the use of those tools and be able to go to work on other projects or develop their own businesses,” Alarcón said. Another challenge is financing. “This kind of development requires between $10 and $20 million, and there are no investors in Latin America willing to pony-up money in multimillion dollar

In fact, Mictlan is an action-adventure, third-person video game set in 15th century Mexico.

Concept art for Mictlan video game.

projects,” said Meta’s founder. The Game Nevertheless, in Mictlan’s case suitors came Mictlan is an action-adventure, third-person knocking at Meta’s door. video game set in 15th century Mexico, during the Alarcón mentioned two mayor industry players Spanish conquest. The game is set in a fantasy were initially interested in Mictlan: Microsoft and world heavily inspired by Mesoamerican cultures, Sony. After evaluating both offers, Alarcón declined customs, and myths. Microsoft’s first-party “For whatever partnership proposal reasons, there is a and signed-up with Sony generalized notion Playstation Studios. that national historical “The deal with Sony elements of our culture is, basically, to create are not appreciated. a Playstation Studio in Well, this video game Latin America so they offers the opportunity can position themselves for some sort of as leaders on the reunion with that regional market. That cultural heritage that is to say, we become has allegedly been one of their studios, but forgotten,” Alarcón we keep the copyright argued. Guillermo Alarcón of Mictlan,” explained The first challenge Founder and creative director Alarcón. “For us, it Alarcón had to face is very important to of Meta Studios was how to capture keep IP (intellectual that heritage in a video property).” game without offending the country’s native peoples and their cultures, Meta Studios is now in the last phase of the which are very much alive in modern-day Mexico. negotiations with Sony, while working on different “The idea is to create a video game that pipeline tests of the project. “If the proposed entertains, educates and doesn’t disrespect the budget ($15 million) is approved we could be culture by fueling-up the stereotypes surrounding initiating the second and third phases of the project soon,” said the creative director. Mesoamerican peoples,” said Alarcón.

The idea is to create a video game that entertains, educates and doesn’t disrespect the culture by fueling-up the stereotypes surrounding Mesoamerican peoples.

/ Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Congress seeks compromise to boost computer chip industry

senior counsel at Akin Gump, a law and lobbying firm. “I think it is what is driving this toward the finish line.”

Both the House and Senate have passed major legislation

Some Overlap, But Key Differences

Kevin Freking - The Associated Press

global computer chip shortage has made it harder for consumers to get their hands on cars, computers and other modern-day necessities, so Congress is looking to boost chip manufacturing and research in the United States with billions of dollars from the federal government. Both the House and Senate have passed major legislation on the matter and the effort is one of lawmakers’ final opportunities before the November election to show voters they are addressing the nation’s strained supply chains. Now they have to work out considerable differences in the two bills. And Senate Republicans are already digging in before the negotiations formally begin. President Joe Biden has made the semiconductor legislation a top priority, but he’ll need the support of 10 Senate Republicans, and perhaps more, to get a bill to his desk. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell emphasized that point when congressional leaders recently announced which lawmakers will serve on the committee that works to reconcile the two bills. “Without major concessions and changes from House Democrats, this legislation has no chance of becoming law,” McConnell said. House Democrats say their voices need to be heard during negotiations. “We need to make sure that everyone has input,” said Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., chair of the New Democratic Coalition, a group that has 19 members participating in negotiations. “We have a strong bill in the House, and I think there’s important components there that the Senate should also consider.”

Where Things Stand

House and Senate leaders have selected lawmakers to join a committee tasked with merging the two bills into one. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi chose 49 Democrats and one Republican, Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, the only GOP member to vote for the House bill. Republican House leader Kevin McCarthy selected 31 Republicans for the committee.

The chips funding is absolutely the foundation of this bill — it’s a bipartisan foundation. Josh Teitelbaum Senior counsel at Akin Gump

Both bills authorize a big boost in spending for the National Science Foundation, but they have different priorities for the research receiving funding. The Senate bill provides $29 billion over five years to a new directorate focused on strengthening U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, robotics and other cutting-edge technologies. The House bill provides $13.3 billion over five years to a new directorate for science and engineering solutions. It lists climate change, environmental sustainability and social and economic inequality as part of the directorate’s focus. The two sides will have to hammer out their competing visions for the National Science Foundation and the new tech directorate. The two bills also establish regional technology hubs — with the Senate dedicating $10 billion to the program and the House dedicating $7 billion. The Senate bill calls for 20 such hubs, while the House bill authorizes at least 10. The seed money would go to regional organizations seeking to advance a variety of economic and national security priorities. The approach has bipartisan support from lawmakers with big rural and minority constituencies who want to ensure the money is not concentrated in universities or communities where a lot of tech research is already done.

McConnell and Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer each picked 13 senators. The House has approved its participants, while the Senate still has some procedural work to do before it can do that. The Senate bill is projected to increase spending by about $250 billion over 10 years. The Senate bill The House bill would boost provides $29 spending by more than $400 billion over five billion over the period.

In fact,

Where There IS Much Agreement

The bills diverge on supply chain issues, trade, immigration and climate change, to name a few areas of disagreement. One of the big-ticket items is a $45 billion program in the House bill to enhance supply chains in the U.S. There was no such provision in the Senate bill. The money would provide grants, loans or loan guarantees to companies, local governments and tribes trying to build or relocate manufacturing plants producing critical goods.

years to a new directorate focused on strengthening U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, robotics and other cutting-edge technologies.

The Senate and House bills allot more than $52 billion for semiconductor production and research. Grants and loans from the federal government would subsidize some of the cost of building or renovating semiconductor plants. “The chips funding is absolutely the foundation of this bill — it’s a bipartisan foundation,” said Josh Teitelbaum,

Where There Are Major Differences

/ Wednesday, April 20, 2022

/ Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Kenneth Davison McClintock

22nd Secretary of State of Puerto Rico Kenneth Davison McClintock 22nd Secretary of State of Puerto Rico

The uncertain Future of “news on paper” The Right to Life

“

ewspapers have been part of my he Right to Life” is a life since childhood. Around the phrase used in the age of seven discourse I developed national onlythe habitinofthe precociously reading context of the The San Juan Star every beginning of life whenmorning, before I went to school. When discussing women’s choosedelivering or the I wasright 12, Ito started end of lifein and However, at least onceup at The Star myeuthanasia. neighborhood, picking them a person is born, he or she has an enduring right 5:30, spending 15 minutes reading that morning’s of survival throughout life. In designing several edition first, before delivering the first copy at important federal programs since as far back as the nearby home of attorney Héctor Lafitte the nineteenth century, the Federal government who would later become a federal judge - and has sought to help Americans prolong their lives. delivering the last copy, at theAbraham end of my route, by During the Civil War, President Lincoln 6:15 in the before 7amasdeadline. saw the needmorning, to create long a system, nowthe known Departmentthe of Veteran Affairs, to provide Ithe understood importance that my subscribers those who fought America’s wars with medical receive their Starinearly in the morning, plus it servicesbe that would help them liveI and receive would reflected in the tips received when I medical services. Few nations provide those who collected from my clients every two weeks. have served the level of health services as America. By thethe ageDepression, of 13, I had letter During asmy partfirst of the Newto the editor, I believe it was about Michael Collins, Deal, the federal government saw the need to the Rico-educated commander of Apollo helpPuerto Americans who could not afford basic health XI’s command module. By the ageassistance. of 14, I wrote services, and began to provide some the federal treasury would be over $4 billion, and In the 1960s, President Lyndonpolitics Johnsonin a prothe federal share would be 83%. a weekly column on national spearheaded effortscalled to create Medicare for for the While those benefits are automatic in a state, statehood weekly “Decisión,” about a elderly and the disabled and Medicaid for the Puerto Rico’s non-voting representative Jenniffer year and a half. Later on in life, I’ve been a regular, medically indigent. González, Governor Pedro Pierluisi, and their As Congress struggles to and in some cases, paid columnist for The San Juan Unfortunately, federally subsidized medical predecessors for generations, have to devote Star, El Mundo, Nuevo Díaavailable and El Vocero daily legislate and keep America assistance has notElbeen made to all a lot of time and lobbying efforts to plead with newspapers, as well as the Weekly Journal for the Americans in a non-discriminatory fashion. Congress and every President from LBJ on to seek fiscally stable past Friday, past months.VA facilities are doled out, not As few for veterans, the equality that would guarantee residents of strictly on the basis of need, but as a been result going of I know how newspapers have Puerto Rico the “right to life” that is automatic on February 18, Puerto Ricans on patronagemany or political influence. Partisan politics the mainland. through challenges, just as older people the mainland as well as their and seniority Congress is factored when it is as There are many reasons why an absolute handle ever in more serious health in challenges determined where a new VA hospital or clinic will majority of Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico want they grow old. However, last Monday, as I was representatives in Congress be located. In that case, a state-like jurisdiction that statehood. According to multiple polls, over 75% connecting in Miami for a trip to Washington DC, I should have two voting senators and two voting should make sure in the next of Puerto Ricans in Florida, over 60% of Puerto was hit by proof impending doom forthe the media representatives butofdoesn’t, ends up getting Ricans in New York and probably an absolute which hasofbeen so close to my heart, the printed few days to include language estateofcosts in Puerto Rico. A student argued short end the stick. majority of thereal two thirds America’s Puerto newspaper, or “news that on paper”. As soon as I burstthat will protect the Right to yes, and my position was generally a no. This Regarding Medicare, same state-like Ricans who have chosen to live in the states jurisdiction lacking voting representation in the out of American’s “guagua aérea” from San Juan morning IPuerto got toRico, readalso a Wall Street Journal article and not in discriminated want legislature as well inpurchase the Electoral statehood for the However, because Inational stopped at a news shopasto The New Life in Puerto Rico, providing thatterritory. would have been helpfulofto both of us last College that elects that jurisdiction’s president andToday, discrimination in extending federally financed York Times, The Wall Street Journal and USA night, titled: “Homeowners Groups Fight Investors’ equal benefits under Medicare the vice president, Congress has built in mechanisms health services to the island, it is also Another a life or issue we discussed the three national newspapers I enjoy reading Push Into Suburbs”. to extend Medicare services almost equally, but and Medicaid to its citizens in death issue, a denial of the Right to Life. when I travel. “Don’t have ‘em, sir” I was told. I among the interns was whether nuclear power almost. When I turned 65 last month, I qualified As Congress struggles to legislate and keep our territory. responded “it’s not yet 8:30 am and you ran out of be considered in Puerto for the Medicare coverage that I’d been paying America fiscallyshould stable past Friday, February 18, Rico. Again, today’s them? Thefor sales agent’s next statement, Wall Street Journal published premiums 47 years. However, if I didn’t ask“No sir, Puerto Ricans on the mainland as well as their an article about how since the pandemic ofthe us most at this airport sell are suggesting thesure repurposing of coal-fired particularly for “Part B”,none one of important representativessome in Congress should make benefits, I wouldn’t get it. Anywhere newspapers anymore”, shocked else me.in the are confronting shutdowns in the next fewpower days toplants includethat language that will services to all the medically indigent throughout nation get that benefit automatically. protect the Right to Life Puerto MIA,I would an airport that handles nearly 25That million America, the cost in Puerto Rico is statutorily could beinfired up Rico, againproviding by hosting small nuclear discriminatorya rule---“opt in” if insells Puerto Rico, “opt atcapped equal benefits reactors. under Medicare and Medicaidarticles to at less than $400 million and the federal passengers year no longer newspapers its Both newspaper illustrate the out” if anywhere else--was devised for Medicare its citizens in our territory. That should be our share is limited to 55% of the total cost, requiring shops, clearly a death knell of things to come in the informational need that traditional TV reports or to be less expensive for the federal government in urgent agenda for the next week, seeking the newspaper business. For someone with so muchAmerica’s poorest jurisdiction to cover 45% of the radio coverage simply cannot fill. Puerto Rico, only in Puerto Rico. full extension of The Right to Life in Puerto Rico cost. In a state with demographics similar to the Internships Program -which I created almost 29 newsprint ink in my veins, that denial of service Thestatehood. refusal by all the news merchants at Miami Concerning Medicaid, the program to provide through equality and nation’s most populated territory, the total cost to years ago- and the Morales Carrión Internship hit me hard. Buying my national newspapers at International Airport to sell me the newspapers I Program -that David Bernier, my immediate the more literate Washington National Airport wanted to read scares me, not about the eventual successor as Secretary of State created about 8 did not fully pull me out of the lack-of-newsprint death of something that’s part of my DNA, but into years ago- out to dinner. We had an interesting depression MIA plunged me in earlier in the day. taking steps to prolong its life and educate others discussion on whether the so-called Act 22 That Monday night I took the participants of about its role in making us better citizens and beneficiaries were triggering inflation in residential this semester’s Córdova-Fernós Congressional constructing a more democratic society.

Both newspaper articles illustrate the informational need that traditional TV reports or radio coverage simply cannot fill.

< The Weekly Journal > Wednesday, April 20, 2022

/ Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Hollywood Missing the Drama in Climate Change Less than 3% of movies refers to climate change-related words Lynn Elber, The Associated Press

OS ANGELES — Hollywood’s response to climate change includes donations, protests and other activism, but it’s apparently missing out on an approach close to home. Only a sliver of screen fiction, 2.8%, refers to climate change-related words, according to a new study of 37,453 film and TV scripts from 2016-20. A blueprint for ways to turn that around was released Tuesday. “Good Energy: A Playbook for Screenwriting background,” such as including solar panels in in the Age of Climate Change” was created with an exterior shot of a building, she said. Casual feedback from more than 100 film and TV writers, mentions of climate change in scenes also can be said Anna Jane Joyner, editor-in-chief of the effective. playbook and founder of Good Energy, a nonprofit “If you’re already attached to a character in a consultancy. story and it authentically comes up in conversation “A big hurdle that we encountered was that for the character, it validates for the audience writers were associating climate stories with that it’s OK to talk about in your day-to-day lives,” apocalypse stories,” she said in an interview. “The Joyner said. main purpose of the playbook is to expand that Dorothy Fortenberry, a TV writer (”The menu of possibilities….to a larger Handmaid’s Tale”) and playwright, array of how it would be showing said the industry needs to up in our real life.” broaden its view of who it writes Among those who provided about, not just what. funding for the playbook project “Climate change is something are Bloomberg Philanthropies, that right now is affecting Last year Leonardo Sierra Club and the Walton Family people who aren’t necessarily DiCaprio starred Foundation. the people that Hollywood in “Don’t Look Waves of celebrities have been tends to write stories about. It’s Up,” the film in sounding the climate alarm, affecting farmers in Bangladesh, which a comet including Leonardo DiCaprio, Jane farmers in Peru, farmers in hurtling toward an Fonda, Don Cheadle and Shailene Kentucky,” Fortenberry said. “If indifferent Earth Woodley. DiCaprio also starred in we told stories about different is a metaphor for “Don’t Look Up,” the 2021 Oscarkinds of people, there would the peril of climatenominated film in which a comet be opportunities to seamlessly change apathy. hurtling toward an indifferent weave climate in.” Earth is a metaphor for the peril The entertainment industry’s of climate-change apathy. failure to use its storytelling But the playbook is asking powers more effectively on the writers and industry executives to consider a issue seems unsurprising to Joyner, who’s been variety of less-dire approaches, Joyner said, with working on climate-change communications in examples and resources included. various sectors and communities for 15 years. “We describe it as a spectrum, everything For the first decade, it felt like “screaming into from showing the impact with solutions in the the void” because of the lack of response, Joyner

In fact,

A big hurdle that we encountered was that writers were associating climate stories with apocalypse stories. -Anna Jane Joyner Editor-in-chief of “Good Energy: A Playbook for Screenwriting in the Age of Climate Change”

said. But there is evidence of increasing concern among Americans regarding climate change, she said, including those who are in Hollywood. “We’ve all gone through a kind of awakening,” she said. There are a number of documentaries and news programs about climate change, she said, expressing optimism that fiction creators will make steady progress. Good Energy funded the script analysis by the Norman Lear Center’s Media Impact Project at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. As part of the study that’s yet to be released in full, researchers checked for references to 36 key words and phrases including “climate change,” “fracking” and “global warming” in TV episodes and movies released in the U.S. market.

/ Wednesday, April 20, 2022

2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 and Heritage Edition

The Ford Mustang Continues its Reign as Best-Selling Sports Coupe The iconic automobile celebrates its 58th birthday

Zoe Landi Fontana, The Weekly Journal

@Landi_Zoe

s the Mustang approaches its 58th birthday it also celebrates the seventh year in a row as the world’s best-selling sports coupe. The United States is home to 76% of the iconic car’s global sales, although there was significant growth in New Zealand, Brazil, and South Korea, according to Ford’s analysis of registration data from S&P Global Mobility. “When enthusiasts around the world get into a Mustang, they unlock that feeling of freedom and experience the open road. That feeling, along with iconic design, awesome powertrains, and a passionate global community all contribute to making Mustang a sales leader for the seventh year in a row,” said Kumar Galhotra, President at Ford Blue. To keep up the momentum, Ford has released five new special editions: Mustang Ice White, Shelby GT500 Heritage Edition, GT California Special, Coastal Limited, and Stealth. There will be eight new color options this year as well, including Atlas Blue Metallic, Cyber Orange Metallic TriCoat, Dark Matter Gray Metallic, Eruption Green metallic, Grabber Blue Metallic, and Mischievous Purple Metallic. The Mustang Mach-E stands out among Ford’s newest offerings. Having already sold out in the US, the Mach-E is clearly the hottest new product on the line. Upon its debut, the Mach-E received numerous press awards, such as the North American Utility Vehicle of the Year honor, Car and Driver’s 2021 EV of the Year, and was named a finalist for the 2022 World Car of the Year.

1964 Ford Mustang Convertible

The success of the Mustang is a very American story of automobiles and the developing marketing and advertising sector, beginning in the decades following the Second World War. Using market research, Ford noticed that college-educated consumers bought cars at a much higher rate. In 1962, only 18% of the US population had some level of college, but this demographic made 46% of new car purchases. The Baby Boomer generation was increasingly more educated, and more likely to buy their family, not just one, but two cars. From 1959 to 1963, the number of American families owning two or more cars went from 1 million to 13 million. Female drivers were another

emerging market segment, typically using the family’s second car. Therefore, they became part of the discussion on what a car should be like: maneuverable, easy to handle and park, small. Given the youthful and educated market, Ford’s research department even conducted a study on ‘the perception of bucket seats as an aid or hindrance to romance among young people’. Of the sample size, 42% preferred bucket seats for the first date, but 15% for going steady. Experimental car ideas and more market research followed next in the process of designing the perfect, stylish family car. As a way to get a quick design solution, designers of the Corporate Projects Studio, the Ford Studio, and the LincolnMercury Studio were invited to compete in making a clay model of their proposal. Two weeks later, the clay models came back, with one standing out distinctly: a small white car with red wheels, created by Ford Studio. The Mustang was born.

When enthusiasts around the world get into a Mustang, they unlock that feeling of freedom and experience the open road. Kumar Galhotra President, Ford Blue

1964 Ford Mustang

/ Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Rain dampens the first White House Easter Egg Roll since 2019 The event is back this year, as the outbreak of coronavirus cases has eased

Darlene Superville The Associated Press

ASHINGTON (AP) — Undaunted by soggy skies, President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, kicked off the first White House Easter Egg Roll since before the coronavirus pandemic on Monday, welcoming some 30,000 kids and adults for the all-day event. The president encouraged one young egg-roller, coaching the child, “Go. You got it.” “My job is to keep it from raining for another two minutes,” he said in opening remarks on the South Lawn. The theme for the day was “egg-ucation.” The first lady, a community college professor, turned the South Lawn into a school community with a variety of educational stations. “The determined spirit of education is what we wanted to honor in this Easter Egg Roll,” she said in brief welcoming remarks. Besides the egg roll and an egg hunt, the event included a schoolhouse activity area, a reading nook, a talent show, a place to teach about farming, a photo-taking station, a physical “egg-ucation” zone with an obstacle course, and a “cafetorium” where children learned to make treats. The COVID-19 pandemic led the White House to cancel the Easter Egg Roll in 2020 and 2021. But the event is back this year, as the outbreak of coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths has eased. “This year we’re finally getting together again, and it’s so special,” the president told the guests. “Tonight The White Show” host House Easter Egg Jimmy Fallon, Roll tradition started singer Ciara in 1878 during the and actoradministration of singer Kristin President Rutherford Chenoweth B. Hayes. added a dash of celebrity splash to the “eggstravaganza.” More than two dozen costumed characters were on hand, including Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat, the Racing Presidents

In fact,

President Joe Biden speaks as first lady Jill Biden and the Easter Bunnies look on, on the Blue Room balcony at the White House during the White House Easter Egg Roll. >AP Photo/Andrew Harnik

The determined spirit of education is what we wanted to honor in this Easter Egg Roll. Jill Biden First Lady of the United States

mansion also resumed on Friday in a limited fashion, after they also were halted in 2020 because of the pandemic. Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association, said he was happy that public access to the executive mansion was “front and center” once again. “As important as security is here, it’s also important that we keep the people’s house accessible to the people,” McLaurin said Friday. The White House Easter Egg Roll tradition started in 1878 during the administration of President Rutherford B. Hayes.

mascots for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball, Rosita and Cookie Monster from “Sesame Street” and Snoopy and Charlie Brown, among others. The event kicked off at around 7 a.m., with the first of five waves of people, including kids wearing their Easter best, streaming through the White House gates.

Open Its Gates

The return of this Easter tradition is a sign that the White House is opening up again despite a recent spurt of COVID-19 cases among some Cabinet members, White House staff, Vice President Kamala Harris’ husband and members of Congress, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Self-guided, public tours of the executive

Children carry and egg on a wooden spoon as they participate in the White House Easter Egg Roll. >AP Photo/Susan Walsh

/ Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Abel De Varona with his dogs at the De Varona Dog Park.

A dog participates in the 3K event.

The Dog Park of Dreams

The canine hotel is joined by a restaurant, café, and park

Zoe Landi Fontana, The Weekly Journal

@Landi_Zoe

otel, pool, trainers, park, stores, a restaurant, and café. No, it’s not the island’s newest resort. It’s an entire establishment dedicated to (wo)man’s best friend - dogs. Abel De Varona founded the Guaynabo De Varona dog hotel in 1993 to provide families with a safe and clean place with the highest security and professional standards. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the facilities have been improved. They include suites equipped with carpets, memory foam beds, television, and private cameras for owners to check up on their dogs. The Shop De Varona will be opening as well, featuring exclusive products and highlighting Puerto Rican businesses. De Varona’s Café is perfect for those pet owners

Since I was four years old, I tried to make the dogs at home jump through hoops. [The] dogs responded to me. I always had a great connection with them. Abel De Varona

the dog well, the dog will respond to you, they will want to be with you,” commented De Varona. A few years later he acquired the property in Guaynabo and began building the hotel and facilities, leaving half the acreage as a venue for birthday parties. In 2009, they built a pool just for the dogs. Origins Of The Park According to De Varona, around Abel De Varona trained as 90% love to get into the water. an accountant and worked Because of COVID-19 with his father as an insurance Abel De Varona restrictions, no birthday parties representative, but to the founded the were booked for over a year, so benefit of canines and owners Guaynabo De Varona De Varona decided to transform alike, he has always cared dog hotel in 1993 that half of the property into deeply about dogs. In high to provide families a park with a restaurant and school he began going to with a safe and café. Over the past 14 months, Dallas, the capital of canine clean place with they’ve developed the property agility sports, where he started the highest security into what can only be called a training, later becoming an and professional canine resort. agility and obedience judge. standards. “I just want to be certain that “Since I was four years old, I the dogs are loved and taken tried to make the dogs at home care of, and that there won’t be jump through hoops. [The] dogs so many stray dogs,” said De responded to me. I always had Varona of his future goals. At home, he has three a great connection with them,” said De Varona in dogs of his own. an interview with THE WEEKLY JOURNAL. In 1993, he decided he didn’t like numbers Grand Opening And Reservations and the insurance thing - he was just in love with Those interested in visiting should make a dogs. At that time, dogs were treated more like outside animals than family members. Their place reservation on the website. There is a $10 fee to visit, waived for those who purchase a beverage in was in the yard or chained to the fence. the Cafe De Varona. All pets should be up-to-date De Varona felt he needed to change that on vaccines. Reservations must be made ahead of reality. During his time in the states, he saw how people pampered their pets and treated them like time, with two human companions per dog. The dog should be accompanied around the park at all family. “[I was] training dogs, but mainly training times by at least one companion. people. If they put some love into the dogs, they The grand opening will be this Sunday, April 24. will love you back,” he explained. There will be a 3K event “4paws De Varona”, whose So, he began training dogs and other trainers, proceeds will go to The Sato Project. using positive reinforcement only. “If you treat

who love coffee. The open-air cafe allows pet parents to enjoy a cup of premium coffee prepared by baristas José Simone and Fabián Bermúdez, while the restaurant will have tapas, frappés, and other dishes prepared by Chef Marcos Rodríguez.

In fact,

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