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Amid a migration of 300,000 to Florida since Maria, Puerto Rico businesspeople tout economic clout

“We want the Puerto Rican community in Orlando to get involved in politics, to help raise awareness and be our voice, since we don’t have a vote in Congress, but we are part of the United States”. Yennifer Alvarez, spokeswoman for Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló

Gray Rohrer of the Orlando Sentinel writes an article that dispels a perception among some that those fleeing the battered island still on its knees two Category 5 windstorms are only arriving in Florida because of the “welfare dole”. 

His story emphasizes the increasing power of Puerto Rican’s in central Florida. It’s important to note that there will be a Senate race in 2018 with Bill Nelson against a likely Rick Scott candidacy. Both will be dependent on the Puerto Rican vote for victory in what is predicted to be a very tight matchup. 

Rohrer writes:

Two local events Friday will underscore the rise of Puerto Rican influence and economic clout in Central Florida.

In the morning, Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló plans a town hall in Kissimmee to encourage Puerto Ricans in the Orlando area to vote and influence politics. He has pushed for Puerto Rican statehood, along with more federal spending to aid recovery from Hurricane Maria, which devastated the island in September. With 5.45 million Puerto Ricans — including more than a million in Florida — living in the states, Rosselló believes they can make a difference in elections in a number of locations.

On Friday evening, 10 miles away, major Puerto Rican shoe retailer Novus will have a grand opening at Florida Mall— the latest Puerto Rican business to move or expand to the mainland. Those businesses are also bringing more economic muscle even as many Puerto Ricans have landed in Central Florida after the hurricane hit.

“You hear people who are concerned that it’s going to tax our social services, and it is, temporarily,” said Lourdes Mola, acting president of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando. “But here at the chamber, we are seeing many entrepreneurs.”

snip

Rosselló’s town hall will be the first in the U.S. since he made public statements about mobilizing mainland voters, especially those of Puerto Rican origin or descent, to vote for politicians who will support policies that benefit the island.

“We want the Puerto Rican community in Orlando to get involved in politics, to help raise awareness and be our voice, since we don’t have a vote in Congress, but we are part of the United States,” said Yennifer Alvarez, spokeswoman for the governor.


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