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Puerto Rico's Political Status

http://cptv.vo.llnwd.net/o2/ypmwebcontent/Heather/Where%20We%20Live%2012-11-2012.mp3

In the November elections, most results were pretty clear cut. But one that seems to have raised more questions than answers was a plebiscite on Puerto Rico’s political status.

The island nation, now a US commonwealth, seems to have voted to become the 51st state...something President Obama has said he’d support, if it is the will of the Puerto Rican people. Having heard President Obama talk about his support for “self-determination” of the people of Puerto Rico, it would seem this vote has some chance of changing the island’s status. But the next day, the administration was calling the referendum “less than clear.”

The methodology of the referendum has been called into question - and what exactly would the next step be? Then there’s the practical questions: Would statehood even be good for Puerto Rico? What would a change in status mean to the millions who live in the US - including many thousands here in Connecticut?

Today, where we live, a look at the possibility of Puerto Rican statehood...of independence...and what it means to be an American citizen who doesn’t have full voting rights.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from Connecticut Public, the state’s local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.