PR goes deep into regressive policy:

Puerto Rico lawmakers give final nod to sales tax increase

Legislators on Tuesday narrowly approved an increase in the U.S. territory’s sales tax to help generate more revenue and offset a deep fiscal crisis.

Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla is expected to sign the bill that would increase the tax from 7 percent to 11.5 percent, as well as create a new 4 percent tax on professional services. The sales tax increase would go into effect July 1 and the new tax on Oct. 1, with a transition to a value-added tax by April 1.

If approved, it would be the highest sales tax compared with any U.S. state.

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