Of the economists surveyed by the Puerto Rico Economists Association, 76% disagreed or strongly disagreed that the fiscal board’s policies have contributed to the island’s economic growth. Meanwhile, daily life ran on thin margins: LUMA reported load shedding with 31,111 customers without power, and 18,832 families are still waiting for a public housing lease.
Government and politics
- Puerto Rico Emergency Management Commissioner Ángel Jiménez Colón Resigns: the Emergency Management Bureau (NMEAD) bought 36 transport and rescue units for $2,583,076.50 in federal and state funds to reinforce its 10 operational zones and central level.
- Puerto Rico Senate Summons Deloitte and E3 Over Government Payment System Failures: Senate Vice President Carmelo Ríos Santiago set the hearing for Monday, November 9 at 10:30 a.m. in the María Martínez hearing room, summoning Deloitte and Ethree Solutions (E3) over the ERP system.
- FEMA Allocates $2.65 Million for Nine Reconstruction Projects in Puerto Rico: FEMA is assigning $2.65 million for nine Puerto Rico infrastructure and recovery projects under the María and Fiona disaster declarations, Governor Jenniffer González Colón announced Monday.
- Puerto Rico Chief Justice and Governor’s Office Deny Pressure on Judges in LUMA Contract Case: Chief Justice Maite Oronoz said no person, whatever their position or power, can intervene in a judicial determination, after LUMA Energy sought an investigation into alleged pressure on Supreme Court justices in the government’s case to cancel its contract.
Energy
- New Fortress Energy Advances Deals to Let Other Suppliers Use Its San Juan Gas Terminal: New Fortress Energy says its San Juan terminal can receive gas from third parties and it has delivered the technical procedures and requirements, after a November 13 follow-up hearing before the Federal Court.
- LUMA Confirms Load Shedding in Puerto Rico, With 31,111 Customers Without Power
Economy
- Most Puerto Rico Economists Rate Oversight Board’s Decade of Work Unfavorably, Survey Finds: 76% of economists surveyed by the Puerto Rico Economists Association disagreed or strongly disagreed that fiscal board policies have contributed to Puerto Rico’s economic growth.
- Nearly 1,000 Former Encanto Restaurants Workers File for Unemployment After Closures: Nearly 1,000 former Encanto Restaurants workers had registered on the unemployment portal as of Tuesday, November 10, Labor Secretary María del Pilar Vélez Casanova said.
Safety
- Naguabo Closes Stretch of PR-31 as Flash Flood Surges Down Río Blanco: Authorities urged drivers to avoid state road PR-31 at exit 22 in Naguabo, Puerto Rico.
- San Sebastián Mayor Reopens Road Closed Since Hurricane Maria in $1.4 Million Project: San Sebastián Mayor Eladio ‘Layito’ Cardona Quiles inaugurated a municipal road on Friday, November 6.
Health and schools
- Puerto Rico Education Dept. Admits Budget Gap Blocking Payments to School Bus Operators: Education Secretary Eliezer Ramos acknowledged a roughly $5 million shortfall in last year’s fiscal budget blocking payments to school bus operators.
- Puerto Rico Senate Passes Bill Limiting Transgender Athletes in School and College Sports: The Puerto Rico Senate approved the bill with 21 votes in favor, barring transgender athletes from teams not matching their sex assigned at birth.
Roads and travel
- Governor Announces $30 Million Vieques-Ceiba ‘Short Route’ Ferry Link by Summer 2028: Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González announced that.
Around the island
- Puerto Rico Public Housing Administrator Says 18,832 Families Await Apartments
- FAA Lifts Ground Stop After Communications Failure; White House Rules Out Cyberattack: The FAA authorized commercial and cargo takeoffs and landings again after a communications system failure halted traffic in the US and Puerto Rico for nearly five hours.
- New York Officials Pack Food at Puerto Rico Food Bank as Leaders Urge Extending SNAP to the Island: About 60 New York legislators and elected officials volunteered at the Puerto Rico Food Bank’s facilities in Carolina.
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 11th Week in Puerto Rico (last week’s is here).
Sources: the reporting linked above.