# Puerto Rico, the 51st state; some questions **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 7, 2012, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puerto-rico-the-51st-state-some-questions/640184 "2012-11-07T06:39:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puerto-rico-the-51st-state-some-questions/640184/41 "2012-11-07T17:43:38Z")
> [@Learjeff](#): > > Wow, I’m surprised. What would statehood bring that would compensate for a big increase in the tax burden for individuals. They’d get to see all the political ads every four years. ---
**Author:** ![MikeS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MikeS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeS)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puerto-rico-the-51st-state-some-questions/640184/42 "2012-11-07T18:15:44Z")
I ran a quick Mathematica program to see what the [reapportionment](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huntington%E2%80%93Hill_method) would look like if Puerto Rico was admitted to the U.S. today, and 2011 census data was used to immediately reapportion a House of 435 members. The results were that Puerto Rico got 5 representatives (not 4), which were given up by California, Florida, Washington, Minnesota, and South Carolina. Of course, demographics will change between now and 2020 when the reapportionment would actually happen, but it’s still an interesting scenario. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puerto-rico-the-51st-state-some-questions/640184/43 "2012-11-07T18:42:34Z")
Re Puerto Rico and abortion. Back in late 1950s, well before Rowe-Wade a cousin of mine became pregnant “somehow” (that’s how her mother described it) and she went to PR to get an abortion. That was a long time ago and maybe they just weren’t enforcing the law. FWIW ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puerto-rico-the-51st-state-some-questions/640184/44 "2012-11-07T22:05:02Z")
Can I add a question, somewhat related? When (if) PR becomes the 51st state what will happen to all the flags displaying 50 stars? Is there an official government agency tasked with replacing the old flag with the new one when the time comes? Obviously this is just where it officially flies. ---
**Author:** ![Rusalka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecd19e/32.png) [@Rusalka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rusalka)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puerto-rico-the-51st-state-some-questions/640184/45 "2012-11-07T22:17:31Z")
> [@Sarabellum1976](#): > > Exactly how certain is it that PR would align strongly Democratic? After all, isn’t it a primarily-Catholic country? And don’t Catholics frequently align with Republican platforms due to the abortion debate? Uh, you don’t know a lot of Catholics, do you? Joe Biden is Catholic. Most Catholics in Chicago are Democrats. American Catholics vary in their politics, but in my experience most of them are Democrats. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puerto-rico-the-51st-state-some-questions/640184/46 "2012-11-07T22:21:46Z")
There is also the point that 435 was fixed when Arizona joined a Union of about 100 million people, on the stated reaspm that that is how many of the tr4aditional House desks will fit in the chamber (and the unspoen one that Congressmen do not want their influence any further diluted). With the country three times as populous, changing that law could (in theory) easily be done. ---
**Author:** ![Learjeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/94ad74/32.png) [@Learjeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Learjeff)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puerto-rico-the-51st-state-some-questions/640184/47 "2012-11-07T22:32:26Z")
> [@KarlGrenze](#): > > Also, every federal applies and takes presedence in PR over a state law. Hence, even though PR would be an anti-abortion place (maybe, I hope eventually no), thanks to Roe vs Wade, abortion is legal there. Not sure I understand you here, since that’s true of states as well. States can pass and enforce laws that contradict Federal laws. For example, CA’s marijuana law contradicts Federal law by allowing medical MJ use. So, state cops don’t bust folks for MJ use, with the right paperwork. However, there’s little to keep Federal DEA agents from enforcing the federal laws (other than practical issues such as policing budgets.) However, states can’t enforce laws that contradict the US Constitution. That is, abortion is legal in the US thanks to Roe v. Wade, in all 50 states. Perhaps the PR folks who are for statehood earn less than the median US income, and therefore wouldn’t pay more in taxes. Also, with Congressmen, PR would definitely bring home more Federal pork. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puerto-rico-the-51st-state-some-questions/640184/48 "2012-11-07T23:24:28Z")
> [@Peremensoe](#): > > Oops, had been reading mostly Elections threads and didn’t realize where this was. Sorry. > > Isn’t **foolsguinea** ’s original “insane” charge at least as much a ‘jab’ as the response to it? Yes, I made the same mistake you did. Sorry. [See the Elections thread for further discussion.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=15674067&posted=1#post15674067) ---
**Author:** ![Toucanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Toucanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toucanna)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puerto-rico-the-51st-state-some-questions/640184/49 "2012-11-07T23:39:56Z")
A theoretcial question: Would giving up seats to the newly created State of Puerto Rico trigger redistricting in those states that gave up seats? What would that look like? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puerto-rico-the-51st-state-some-questions/640184/50 "2012-11-08T01:57:34Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > Back in late 1950s, well before Rowe-Wade a cousin of mine became pregnant “somehow” (that’s how her mother described it) I have a [theory](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucGSNuZghPA). ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puerto-rico-the-51st-state-some-questions/640184/51 "2012-11-08T01:59:00Z")
> [@Toucanna](#): > > A theoretcial question: Would giving up seats to the newly created State of Puerto Rico trigger redistricting in those states that gave up seats? What would that look like? It wouldn’t take effect until after the 2020 census and then there would be a normal round of reapportionment anyway. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puerto-rico-the-51st-state-some-questions/640184/52 "2012-11-08T02:11:16Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > Can I add a question, somewhat related? When (if) PR becomes the 51st state what will happen to all the flags displaying 50 stars? Is there an official government agency tasked with replacing the old flag with the new one when the time comes? Obviously this is just where it officially flies. I don’t know if it’s an official plan, but I’ve seen mock-ups for 51, 52, 53, 54, etc. stars. They all look pretty good, despite what you might think with a gangly number like 51. > [@Rusalka](#): > > Uh, you don’t know a lot of Catholics, do you? Joe Biden is Catholic. Most Catholics in Chicago are Democrats. American Catholics vary in their politics, but in my experience most of them are Democrats. And Kerry, Durbin, etc. The stereotypical Catholic of the 19th century is a Democratic person from Ireland or the child of immigrants. For a long time there were fewer Republicans. By 1960 is was about equal. In 2008, Obama got 54% of the Catholic vote, McCain got 45%. On the other hand, 2004 was 52%:47% for Bush. Gore 2000 = 50%:47% ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puerto-rico-the-51st-state-some-questions/640184/53 "2012-11-08T02:46:59Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > OR > Let’s assume PR is entitled to 5 Reps. Congress could increase the size of the House to 440 permanantly. They _could_, but that’s not what they did for the last two states admitted. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puerto-rico-the-51st-state-some-questions/640184/54 "2012-11-08T03:37:32Z")
> [@Toucanna](#): > > A theoretcial question: Would giving up seats to the newly created State of Puerto Rico trigger redistricting in those states that gave up seats? What would that look like? As explained either upthread or over in the Elections forum thread. following the precedent set when Alaska and Hawaii were admitted, and P.R. reps. would be supernumerary to the 435 until the next red0str0cting, presumably after the 2020 census (though Congress _could_ choose to act beforehand. We had 436 Congressmen from 7/4/59 to 7/3/6-. and 437 from 7/3/60 until 1/3/63 Whether they would start off with Rep. (previously, except Texas, states were admitted as they reached the proper population threshold), or five, the number their population would entitle them to if they had been a state when redistricting took place, is an unresolved quiestion; I suspect Congress will set a new precedent here wichever way it goes. (Anybody know what Texas got when first admitted It’s the only possible pazrallel.?) ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puerto-rico-the-51st-state-some-questions/640184/55 "2012-11-08T04:01:58Z")
What kinda money does Puerto Rico use? Been there, got lost in old San Juan, but don’t remember. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puerto-rico-the-51st-state-some-questions/640184/56 "2012-11-08T05:19:47Z")
They use American currency. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puerto-rico-the-51st-state-some-questions/640184/57 "2012-11-08T05:27:15Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > I don’t know if it’s an official plan, but I’ve seen mock-ups for 51, 52, 53, 54, etc. stars. They all look pretty good, despite what you might think with a gangly number like 51. 51 is cake. It’s just 17 x 3. 17 = 9 +8, so you do six alternating rows: 9, 8, 9, 8, 9, 8. (Or 8, 9, 8, 9, 8, 9 if that looks better.) ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puerto-rico-the-51st-state-some-questions/640184/58 "2012-11-08T05:30:41Z")
> [@Beware\_of\_Doug](#): > > 51 is cake. It’s just 17 x 3. 17 = 9 +8, so you do six alternating rows: 9, 8, 9, 8, 9, 8. (Or 8, 9, 8, 9, 8, 9 if that looks better.) [Like so.](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_md4lm1E2lg1qhmzhro1_1280.png) ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puerto-rico-the-51st-state-some-questions/640184/59 "2012-11-08T05:54:16Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > I don’t know if it’s an official plan, but I’ve seen mock-ups for 51, 52, 53, 54, etc. stars. They all look pretty good, despite what you might think with a gangly number like 51. > > … The 51 star design linked above is often claimed to be the US Army Institute of Heraldry proposal, so that makes it fairly official - they provide heraldic services for all government offices, not just the military, and have the say on flag etiquette, symbolism and the like. They’ve supposedly produced designs out to 56 stars, but it appears that any published designs for 52, 53 … are somebody else’s rendering of what they’d probably do. ---
**Author:** ![Sarabellum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarabellum/32/3492_2.png) [@Sarabellum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarabellum)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puerto-rico-the-51st-state-some-questions/640184/60 "2012-11-08T14:37:00Z")
^^I like the 51-star flag a lot better than I would have previously assumed. I know it’s a touchy subject for Puerto Ricans (I’d really hate to see rioting in the streets over this topic) but I think they’d make a great new state once the initial chaos died down. If that’s what they want, of course. I wonder what Cuba would think of this development? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puerto-rico-the-51st-state-some-questions/640184.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puerto-rico-the-51st-state-some-questions/640184.md?page=4)