| San Juan, PR (2/1/2007)
“El tiempo es ahora.”
STATEHOOD: Is NOW the best chance?
The possibility of Puerto Ricans overwhelmingly supporting
Statehood has never been more of a reality than in today’s
political environment. A November 2006 telephone poll of
residents of the island showed when faced with the decision, 74%
would choose Statehood over the 12% in favor of Independence.
With 65% of respondents favorable to Luis Fortuņo winning PNP’s
gubernatorial race in 2008, “now” may very well be Puerto Rico’s
best chance at moving towards true representation in Washington.
According to the poll, 43% of respondents believed a
plebiscite vote for Statehood would provide more job
opportunities, better living conditions and an overall better
quality of life. The benefits of Statehood were also on the
minds of 28% who said the economy was the biggest problem facing
Puerto Rico today. In addition, 20% gave the public schools a
failing grade citing the need for federal help necessary to
improve public education.
Even though respondents clearly were looking for change in
the future, their traditional family values remained intact.
Respondents were united on issues of religion, marriage, as well
as an unquestionable concern for their children’s future with
76% of respondents citing prayer should be allowed in schools
and 72% disagreeing with abortion.
See what residents had to say about healthcare, taxes, jobs,
the military’s presence in Puerto Rico and who should run in the
2008 election.
View the entire poll here.
(The telephone survey, one of three Puerto Rico Herald
tracking polls to be done on the Puerto Rican electorate and
social and issues, involved 810 voters throughout the island and
has a margin of error of +/- 3%.)
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