US Territories’ October 24-30, 2022 news week in tweets

Proposed tax on sugar and tobacco products in the Northern Mariana Islands faces backlash

After Representative Christina Sablan (D) proposed a new tax on sugar and tobacco products in the Northern Mariana Islands, critics suggest that it will hurt the poor neighborhoods the hardest. Senator King-Nabors (R) believes the tax will not make any sufficient strides to improve the territory’s economy, and instead, he believes it will only hurt the residents.

St. Croix refinery may keep its doors shut for longer than anticipated

The Limetree Bay Refinery in the US Virgin Islands was believed to be one of the largest fuel-processing plants. Now, their doors may remain shut after an investigation reveals major health concerns from the St. Croix refinery.

Medicaid criticized for claims that they were part of the TALOFAPass

Tofoitaufa Sandra King Young, Director of the American Samoa Medicaid State Agency explained that the office had nothing to do with the TALOFAPass $6.4 million contract. This comes after critics suggested during the recent Senate Select Investigative Committee (SSIC) hearing that they were associated with it. 

US Department of Agriculture grants $29.8M for infrastructure in Guam 

Guam is given $29.8 million by the US Department of Agriculture to support a high-speed internet infrastructure project. 

Puerto Rico residents frustrated with lack of power

Five years after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, the territory was assigned over $12 billion to rebuild its power grids. However, residents are frustrated that very little progress has been made.