Smart Talk: Smart Talk with Marie Mora

What’s behind Puerto Rico’s Economic Malaise This episode of Smart Talk features Marie Mora, Professor of Economics at the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley. Pr. Mora shares the findings of her research on economic conditions and the general outlook for Puerto Rico before and after hurricane Maria. She argues that the island’s economic woes date back from 2006 when businesses began scaling back and moving out following the expiration of the 1976 tax credits. This prompted a precipitous decline in government revenues and bank deposits, rising unemployment and the mass migration of younger workers. Professor Mora also offers interesting insights on how the larger Hispanic community in the mainland is performing economically, and how factors such as educational attainment influence income disparities among different Hispanic groups.