by Donald Eng
HARTFORD, CT — Connecticut has about 300,000 people of Puerto Rican descent, and many more state residents visit the island for its sunny weather and sandy beaches. Now a water crisis is having effects that reach all the way to Hartford.
State Rep. Christopher Rosario, D-Bridgeport, chair of the Connecticut – Puerto Rico Trade Commission, briefed Gov. Ned Lamont and other legislators during a press conference on the issue Sept. 2.
“When the Connecticut – Puerto Rico Trade Commission was established, we looked at trade as one of the ways to establish connections,” Rosario said. “And one of the things that’s happening now is that severe water crisis down on the island that’s impacting a third of the island, major economic infrastructure – San Juan, a major tourist destination.”
Rosario said Connecticut has the highest percentage of Puerto Ricans of any state. He called the gathering a message to the people of Puerto Rico that Connecticut was standing by and ready to help.