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Article: A lovely island, but not a state. (language is the main reason why Puerto Rico does not qualify as the 51st state of the U.S.)(Column)
- Article from:
- Insight on the News
- Article date:
- April 20, 1998
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1998 News World Communications, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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There are several reasons why Puerto Rico doesn't qualify, at least now, as our 51st state. First, its percapita income is half that of Mississippi, our poorest state. Welfare payments, eligibility for the earned-income tax credit and food stamps for Puerto Ricans would cost the U.S. Treasury over $1 billion per year. The new state would receive more benefits while paying less in taxes than any other state.
Second, statehood would entitle Puerto Rico to six members in the House of Representatives, as well as two U.S. senators -- most likely to be big-government Democrats who would replace frugal Republicans in the House and narrow the GOP margin in the Senate.
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