January 28, 2020 •
Puerto Rico Protesters Urge Governor Vázquez to Resign

Gov. Wanda Vazquez
Hundreds of demonstrators are calling for Gov. Wanda Vázquez to resign after the recent discovery of unused disaster relief supplies in a warehouse in the southern coastal city of Ponce. A video of the crowd storming the warehouse went viral, […]
Hundreds of demonstrators are calling for Gov. Wanda Vázquez to resign after the recent discovery of unused disaster relief supplies in a warehouse in the southern coastal city of Ponce.
A video of the crowd storming the warehouse went viral, leading to nationwide outrage.
Gov. Vázquez terminated several officials who were unable to provide further information she requested about other collection and distribution centers in meetings with leaders of her administration.
The protests are similar to those that escalated over the summer and led to the resignation of former Gov. Ricardo Rosselló, as demonstrators are once again vowing to remain in the streets until Gov. Vázquez also steps down.
Former Gov. Rosselló was forced to step down after a report leaked that he was using public resources and services for partisan purposes and was allowing government officials and contractors to misuse public funds and time for non-government work.
September 18, 2019 •
Puerto Rico to Release First Digital Lobbyist Registry Platform

Puerto Rico Capitol Building
The Puerto Rico Department of Justice plans to launch its digital Lobbyist Registry platform this week to regulate interactions with government agencies. The launch is pursuant to former Gov. Ricardo Rosselló’s executive order. Executive Order 2019-031 provides that any person […]
The Puerto Rico Department of Justice plans to launch its digital Lobbyist Registry platform this week to regulate interactions with government agencies.
The launch is pursuant to former Gov. Ricardo Rosselló’s executive order.
Executive Order 2019-031 provides that any person who carries out any lobbying activity before a government agency must register with the Lobbyists Registry and provide a sworn statement with the clients he or she represents before the Government of Puerto Rico.
Additionally, the lobbyist must disclose the businesses in which he or she has roles in either through shares or professional service contracts.
The executive order also calls for the creation of a transparency code prohibiting all executive branch cabinet members from participating in any type of meeting with any person who engages in lobbying and not registered in the Lobbyist Registry.
July 5, 2018 •
Puerto Rico Convenes Extraordinary Session
Puerto Rico’s Legislature was called into an extraordinary session July 3, 2018, to reconsider labor protections. Ricardo Rosselló and the fiscal oversight board are pushing for the repeal of the law to make Puerto Rico more attractive to outside investors. […]
Puerto Rico’s Legislature was called into an extraordinary session July 3, 2018, to reconsider labor protections.
Ricardo Rosselló and the fiscal oversight board are pushing for the repeal of the law to make Puerto Rico more attractive to outside investors.
The session is scheduled to adjourn on July 22, 2018.
June 12, 2017 •
Puerto Ricans Vote on Issue of Statehood
Puerto Ricans went to the polls Sunday to vote on whether Puerto Rico should become America’s 51st state. Voters chose between remaining a commonwealth, becoming a state, or gaining sovereignty with an official affiliation with the United States. Critics viewed […]
Puerto Ricans went to the polls Sunday to vote on whether Puerto Rico should become America’s 51st state. Voters chose between remaining a commonwealth, becoming a state, or gaining sovereignty with an official affiliation with the United States.
Critics viewed the election as flawed, arguing the ballot language was skewed to favor the pro-statehood New Progressive Party. Ninety-seven percent of ballots cast were in favor of statehood.
However, on an island averaging roughly 80 percent voter turnout, only 23 percent of registered voters participated in Sunday’s election.
Nevertheless, Gov. Ricardo Rosselló plans to take the referendum results to Washington, D.C. and speak with Congress, the White House, and various agencies regarding admitting Puerto Rico to the union.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.