AutoExpreso began collecting $15 toll fines again on Monday, October 18, while the week’s other news pointed to pressure on household and business budgets. The governor called LUMA’s new rate request a “barbarity” and proposed to the Oversight Board a temporary pause in the sales and use tax (IVU) on prepared foods in November and December.
Government and politics
- Puerto Rico Governor Signs Law Protecting Older Adults from Digital Exclusion, Vetoes Four Measures: The new law guarantees equal access to services and technologies for elderly individuals.
- Oversight Board to Review Governor’s IVU Relief Plan as Restaurateurs Cheer It: Governor Jenniffer González Colón submitted a proposal to the Oversight Board on Friday to temporarily drop the IVU on prepared foods in November and December, pending board authorization.
- Puerto Rico Family Department Shuts Down San Juan Child Care Center Over Safety Deficiencies: The closure order was issued by the agency’s Licensing Office.
- Oversight Board Orders Puerto Rico Education Department to Revise and Resubmit Multiyear Financial Plan: The Oversight Board ordered the Department of Education to resubmit a revised multiyear financial plan covering fiscal years 2027 through 2032, due December 31, 2026, prepared with the Office of Management and Budget.
Energy
- Puerto Rico Governor Calls LUMA’s New Rate Increase Request a ‘Barbaridad’: Governor Jenniffer González on Tuesday called LUMA’s new rate increase request before the Energy Bureau a “barbarity,” saying the operator passes executive pay, bonuses and external contracting costs to consumers without doing maintenance.
- Puerto Rico’s LNG Delivery Delay Forces Diesel Use, Adding $32 Million to Power Costs: the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) estimates the diesel-for-LNG substitution cost about $32 million between September 16 and October 12, 2026.
- Rep. Víctor Parés Tells Energy Bureau to Reject Any Electricity Rate Increase Over Fuel Budget Deficit: Luma Energy reported a $54.37 million fuel-purchase budget deficit, reduced to $48 million by a $6.35 million Energy Bureau credit.
- New Fortress Skips House Hearing Again, Faces Possible Contempt Citation: New Fortress Energy missed its third House summons on Monday; committee chair José Hernández Concepción will subpoena NFE under threat of contempt.
Economy
- Retail Group Warns Up to 12,000 Puerto Rico Small Businesses Could Close Over Power Costs
- Puerto Rico Consumer Confidence Falls to 22%, Its Lowest Point, as Spending Turns Cautious: Consumer confidence in Puerto Rico fell to its lowest level in September, forcing companies to rethink marketing strategies to reach increasingly cautious shoppers.
Health and schools
- Hospital Auxilio Mutuo Agrees to $500,000 Fund for 41,000 Patients After 2023 Cyberattack
- US DEA to Collect Expired Medications at 30 Sites in Puerto Rico: The event aims to prevent misuse of these medications.
Roads and travel
- AutoExpreso Resumes $15 Toll Fines Monday After Multiyear Pause: The Transportation and Public Works Department’s Highway and Transportation Authority began collecting AutoExpreso fines again on Monday, October 18.
Around the island
- Puerto Rico Community Pharmacies Warn Rising Power Costs Could Force Closures: The Puerto Rico Community Pharmacies Association (AFCPR) warned on Thursday, October 22, that higher electricity costs could lead to reduced hours.
- Hearing Postponed in Death of 4-Year-Old Boy at Arecibo Foster Home: A court hearing on the death of a 4-year-old boy at a foster home of the Department of the Family in Arecibo was rescheduled for October 26.
- Three Mayors Join Forces to Push Development of the Camuy River Cave Park: The resolutions, numbered 12 in Hatillo, 39 in Camuy and 41 in Lares, will be sent to Governor Jenniffer González and the Legislative Assembly.
Water: the week in the reservoirs is in Water Week in Review.
The live picture is on the power tracker and the legislature tracker. This is the 8th Week in Puerto Rico (last week’s is here).
Sources: the reporting linked above.