Half of Puerto Rico starts the new year in the dark after massive power outage

I suppose they'll de,and a fw bollopn dpllars for more upgrades, when the poler lines on my street are 60 years oldd?

And Due To All Those Issues Puerto Rico, Has With The States,
And How Ineffective Their Complaint Are As They Can't Vote For The
Politicians In The States; Guess What! Yup, Puerto Rico Gets Screwed.

If the money the USA provided doesn't go toward the projects designated the lights will eventually go out. Significant federal funding has been provided to Puerto Rico for recovery and development projects, there have been notable concerns regarding mismanagement and inefficiencies in how these funds are utilized. Investigations into potential fraud and ongoing oversight challenges underscore the complexities of ensuring that expenditures align with proposed projects.

Over the past decade, Puerto Rico has received well over $60 Billion in federal funding, particularly in response to natural disasters and economic challenges. Here's a detailed overview of the financial support and its utilization.

## Total Funding Received

1. **Disaster Recovery Funds**:
- Following Hurricane Maria in 2017, Puerto Rico has been allocated approximately **$30 billion** from FEMA for recovery efforts, covering over **10,600 projects** aimed at rebuilding infrastructure such as highways, parks, hospitals, and schools[5].
- As of June 2023, FEMA had awarded about **$23.4 billion** specifically for permanent recovery efforts related to hurricanes and earthquakes[3].

2. **American Rescue Plan (ARP)**:
- Puerto Rico received **$4 billion** in ARP State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to address public health and economic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. This included funds for essential services, worker bonuses, and educational support[1].

3. **Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR)**:
- Over **$19 billion** has been obligated through CDBG-DR funds for long-term recovery efforts, focusing on building resilient communities[1].

4. **Medicaid Funding**:
- From the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Puerto Rico was allocated about **$6.3 billion** between 2011 and 2019 to support its Medicaid program[4]. In addition, recent determinations have provided nearly **$3 billion annually** in additional federal Medicaid funding[8].

## How the Funds Were Spent

The funds have been utilized across various sectors:

1. **Infrastructure Improvements**:
- The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocated **$1.1 billion** for infrastructure projects, including roads and public transit[1].
- Specific projects funded include **$223 million** for water infrastructure and **$100 million** for road repairs following the 2020 earthquakes[1].

2. **Education and Health Services**:
- Funds have been directed towards repairing school buildings damaged by earthquakes, with a notable investment of **$279 million** for this purpose[1].
- The expansion of Medicaid funding has enabled critical healthcare services for approximately 1.5 million residents[8].

3. **Economic Development Initiatives**:
- The ARP significantly enhanced tax credits for families, resulting in over **250,000 families** receiving expanded Child Tax Credit benefits, which helped reduce child poverty dramatically[1].
- The Small Business Administration (SBA) provided over **$6 billion** in loans and grants to support small businesses during the pandemic[1].

4. **Disaster Response and Recovery**:
- FEMA's emergency funds after Hurricane Fiona amounted to over **$891 million**, assisting nearly 740,000 households with immediate needs[1].
- Ongoing projects include repairing homes and supporting small businesses affected by disasters through various federal programs.

Puerto Rico has received significant federal assistance over the last ten years, primarily focused on disaster recovery, healthcare improvements, infrastructure development, and economic support initiatives. These investments aim to rebuild and strengthen the island's resilience against future challenges.

LTC Marc King A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney Lt Col Charlie Brown