"What do the Puerto Ricans want?"
It depends on how you frame the question. Over 95% want permanent union with the United States, but are pretty evenly split between those that want statehood now and those who want to remain as a "Commonwealth" (and thus not pay federal income taxes on their Puerto Rico-source income while receiving billions of dollars in U.S. transfer payments) at least for the time being. If Congress followed the recommendations of President Bush's Puerto Rico commission and ordered a referendum in which Puerto Rico had to choose between sovereignty and statehood, statehood would win overwhelmingly. But so long as people in Puerto Rico believe that they can keep receiving billions of dollars without having to pay federal income taxes it will be very difficult for statehood to receive overwhelming support.
What percentage of the population declare enough of their income that they would actually be required to pay any NET federal INCOME TAXES?
You're pulling our legs, again.
You know the answer is almost none.
On the other hand, statehood for Puerto Rico would mean they would receive an additional $3 billion dollars per year from the U.S. Taxpayers when all their Social Programs reach parity with those stateside.
Bottom line is statehood for Puerto Rico would put the U.S. Taxpayers BILLIONS OF DOLLARS further in the hole, immediately.
Then just wait until you Socialists get to vote in National elections for president, 2 Socialist senators and 5 or 6 Socialist representatives in the house.
Italy and France will look Conservative in comparison to the United States and be fiscally more healthy, too.
The Socialist voters in Puerto Rico will bankrupt the United States overnight just like they have their own damn island.