While hedge funds hold much of Puerto Rico’s troubled debt, individual investors own an estimated $15 billion in bonds — 22 percent of the island’s overall $68 billion public debt, the Associated Press reported yesterday. Many eagerly bought Puerto Rico bonds because they are exempt from state, local and federal taxes and were widely considered safe.
Puerto Rico in Distress
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With Puerto Rico carrying $72 billion in debt, and an independent, federally appointed control board poised to take charge of its finances, the island’s 78 municipalities — with their mayors, employees and government offices — represent one of the island’s most intractable problems, The New York Times reported today.
The House on Monday appointed Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) to serve as chairman of a bicameral task force charged with investigating the causes and possible solutions to Puerto Rico’s debt crisis, the Morning Consult reported yesterday. The House also formalized the appointments of Reps.
This overview provides information about the major municipal borrowers in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and their bond programs.
Other Resources
The Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico was created under the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act of 2016. The Board consists of seven members appointed by the President of the United States and one ex officio member designated by the Governor of Puerto Rico. Access information on the Board, documents, videos of meetings, calendar of events and live webcasts by clicking here.