Government & PoliticsRelated Coverage
Puerto Rico Launches Centralized Government Financial System 'Íntegra'
46 updates over 27 days — last updated Jul 8, 2026
Governor's Reform Proposal Raises Questions About Permit Professionals' Powers
via Centro de Periodismo Investigativo
A proposed reform by the Governor has sparked controversy over the increased powers granted to permit professionals. Since their creation, these professionals have faced criticism from various groups, including professional guilds, commercial groups, environmental organizations, and academics. The measure aims…
Senate Approves Resolution to Investigate Secretary of State Francisco Domenech
via El Nuevo Día
The Puerto Rico Senate approved a resolution to investigate Secretary of State Francisco Domenech, following allegations made by former Economic Development and Commerce Secretary Sebastián Negrón Reichard. The investigation will be led by the Commission on Innovation, Reform, and Appointments…
Cuba Reiterates Support for Puerto Rico's Self-Determination
via El Nuevo Día
The Cuban government confirmed that it will lead the United Nations (UN) Decolonization Committee's resolution on Monday, advocating for Puerto Rico's right to self-determination and independence. This move comes as the Donald Trump administration pressures Puerto Rico for political and…
New Regulation Defines Conditions for Salary Increases in Government
via El Nuevo Día
A new regulation developed by the Junta de Supervisión Fiscal (JSF) and the Oficina de Administración, Transformación y Recursos Humanos (OATRH) will define the conditions under which a public employee may receive a salary adjustment. The regulation will also establish…
Over 70 Organizations and Individuals Testify Before the UN on Puerto Rico's Colonial Case
via El Nuevo Día
The United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization is hearing testimony from over 70 organizations and individuals on a new resolution recognizing Puerto Rico's right to self-determination and independence. The committee is expected to ratify the resolution, for the 44th time…
Governor Signs New Measures into Law
via Primera Hora
Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González Colón announced the signing of two legislative measures into law on Monday. The measures, Senate Projects 318 and 372, aim to improve the island's response to public health emergencies and strengthen government procurement processes. Senate…
Public Employee Union Rejects New Salary Adjustment Regulation
via El Nuevo Día
Jessica Martínez Santos, president of Servidores Públicos Unidos de Puerto Rico (SPUPR), Council 95 AFSCME, demanded that the Office of Administration, Transformation, and Human Resources (OATRH) and the Fiscal Supervision Board (JSF) immediately initiate a dialogue with exclusive representatives of…
House of Representatives Approves Budget for Next Fiscal Year
via El Nuevo Día
The Puerto Rico House of Representatives approved the government's budget for the next fiscal year, with 35 votes in favor and 17 against. The budget, which totals $13,180 million from the General Fund, is considered a step towards achieving a…
US House to Order Federal Energy Report on Puerto Rico Generation Assets
via El Nuevo Día
The US House of Representatives is set to approve a bill that includes an order to the Department of Energy (DOE) to report on generation assets that can be installed in Puerto Rico within six months and operate for at…
Senate Approves Notary Fee Structure That Would Increase Costs for Citizens
via El Nuevo Día
The Puerto Rico Senate has approved a new structure for notary fees, which would increase the cost of various everyday transactions for citizens, including affidavits for driver's licenses and property deeds. Senator Adrián González criticized the legislation, saying it would…
Federal Senate Excludes Transition from PAN to SNAP for Puerto Rico in Agricultural Bill
via El Nuevo Día
The US Senate's agricultural bill, presented by Republican Senator John Boozman of Arkansas, excludes the transition from the Program of Nutritional Assistance (PAN) to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for Puerto Rico. The proposal was estimated to cost around…
Puerto Rico House of Representatives Amends Budget to Include $3 Million for 4th of July Celebrations
via El Nuevo Día
The Puerto Rico House of Representatives approved a $635.5 million increase to the current budget, which will expire on June 30, bringing the total spending plan to $13.73 billion. The adjustment aims to settle debts of the Department of Education…
$34 Million Allocated for Development of Roosevelt Roads Naval Base in Ceiba
via Primera Hora
The Puerto Rico general budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year will allocate $35 million specifically for the redevelopment of the former Roosevelt Roads Naval Base. The funds will be directed towards priority infrastructure projects for potable water and sanitary systems…
ACAA Rejects Tourist Sticker Project to Attract US Vehicles to Puerto Rico
via El Nuevo Día
The Administration of Compensations for Automobile Accidents (ACAA) rejected a bill proposing a tourist sticker for vehicles temporarily entering Puerto Rico, citing unclear insurance requirements. The ACAA recommended that the Senate's Transportation, Telecommunications, Public Services, and Consumer Affairs Commission, led…
Velázquez and AOC Lead Amendments to Demand Accountability for Increased US Military Activities in Puerto Rico
via El Nuevo Día
Democratic Congresswomen Nydia Velázquez and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have proposed amendments to the Defense Authorization Act to request reports on the increase in US military operations in Puerto Rico. Velázquez's amendment, co-sponsored by Ocasio-Cortez and others, would require a report from…
Senate Adjusts Budget: Funds for Verónica Ferraiuoli's Office Reduced
via El Nuevo Día
The Puerto Rico Senate adjusted the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, reducing the funds available for the Iniciativa para la Desreglamentación y Eficiencia Administrativa (IDEA), led by Verónica Ferraiuoli, to $7 million. The original budget allocated $9.5 million for…
Senate Extends 4% Preferential Tax Rate to Non-Resident US Citizens
via El Nuevo Día
The Puerto Rico Senate has amended Project 488 to extend the 4% preferential tax rate to non-resident US citizens, in addition to its original goal of equalizing the tax burden for local and foreign investors. Senator Adrián González Costa of…
Puerto Rico's Next Fiscal Year Budget Set at $13.18 Billion
via El Nuevo Día
The Puerto Rico government's budget for the next fiscal year will be $13.18 billion, with the House of Representatives expected to concur with the Senate's amendments. According to Eddie Charbonier, president of the House Finance Committee, the budget will pass…
Senate Approves Judicial Reform, But It Remains Pending in the House of Representatives
via El Nuevo Día
The Puerto Rico Senate approved a bill to restructure the judiciary, despite opposition from minority parties who claim it's a 'democratic dismantling'. The bill, which passed with 18 votes in favor and 7 against, aims to resolve a historical debate…
After Tsunami Warning, Questions Raised About Mobile Alerts
via El Nuevo Día
Commissioner Ángel Jiménez of the Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Bureau (NMEAD) defended the protocol followed by authorities after a tsunami warning was issued for Puerto Rico on Wednesday, following earthquakes in Venezuela. Jiménez acknowledged areas for improvement, including the…
Government to Enable Five Collection Centers for Aid to Venezuela
via Primera Hora
The Department of State announced that it will enable five collection centers for essential aid, as part of its response and collaboration plan following the earthquakes in Venezuela. The centers will be located in Guaynabo, Manatí, Ponce, Mayagüez, and Fajardo…
Fiscal Oversight Board Approves New Budget: 'Complies with Certified Fiscal Plan'
via El Nuevo Día
The Fiscal Oversight Board (JSF) approved the 2026-2027 budget passed by the Legislative Assembly, determining it complies with the certified fiscal plan for the Puerto Rico government. In a letter to Governor Jenniffer González, JSF Executive Director Robert F. Mujica…
The Creation of the PROMESA Law in Congress: A Look Back
via El Nuevo Día
As the PROMESA law marks its tenth anniversary, key figures involved in its creation have highlighted its impact on Puerto Rico's debt crisis. The law, which has reduced the island's debt by nearly half, was passed in 2016 in response…
Puerto Rico Permitting Reform Faces Criticism Over Lack of Evidence
via Centro de Periodismo Investigativo
The task force behind Puerto Rico's proposed Planning and Permits Code, introduced by the governor, has been criticized for lacking academic diversity and expertise. According to experts, the group's proposals for reforming the permitting framework are not supported by metrics…
US Supreme Court Blocks Firing of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook
via El Nuevo Día
The US Supreme Court has ruled 5-4 that President Donald Trump did not follow due process in firing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, a decision that may impact attempts to remove members of Puerto Rico's Fiscal Oversight Board. The court…
House of Representatives Taken to Court for Not Disclosing Extra-Legislative Income Information
via Centro de Periodismo Investigativo
The House of Representatives is being taken to court for not providing sworn statements from legislators regarding their extra-legislative income. Although the Senate disclosed which senators received additional income beyond their salaries, the House of Representatives did not provide this…
Governor Signs Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 with Line-Item Vetoes
via Primera Hora
Governor Jenniffer González Colón signed the Puerto Rico government's budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, exercising her constitutional authority to issue line-item vetoes to reduce or eliminate several appropriations included by the Legislative Assembly. The approved budget amounts to $13,174,703,000…
San Juan Municipality Refinances Debt
via Primera Hora
The San Juan Municipality announced the signing of a debt refinancing agreement, which, according to Mayor Miguel A. Romero Lugo, will significantly reduce the cost of servicing its existing debt and generate approximately $84 million in projected savings until fiscal…
Is the Fiscal Board a Fourth Branch of Government? Study Points to Progressive Intervention Over the Legislature
via El Nuevo Día
A report by the League of Cities of Puerto Rico concludes that the Fiscal Oversight Board (JSF) has become a 'fourth branch of government' with more power than the Legislature. The JSF has a perfect record in court, having successfully…
Senate and House of Representatives Reach Agreements on Over 20 Measures
via El Nuevo Día
The Senate and House of Representatives have reached agreements on over 20 measures, which are now ready for consideration by Governor Jenniffer González. These measures include a range of topics, from women's protection to pet insurance. The agreements were reached…
Republican Majority Rejects Requests for Information on New Military Activities in Puerto Rico
via El Nuevo Día
The Republican majority on the House Rules Committee rejected proposals from Democratic congresswomen Nydia Velázquez and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to request information on the increase in US military operations in Puerto Rico. The proposals were part of the defense spending authorization…
Pablo José Hernández on the 10th Anniversary of Promesa: 'They Took Away Much of Our Own Government'
via El Nuevo Día
Pablo José Hernández, the resident commissioner in Washington, stated that the Promesa law, which highlighted Congress's power over Puerto Rico, 'discouraged' supporters of the current territorial status 10 years after its implementation. Hernández made this statement on the tenth anniversary…
Puerto Rico's Medical Center Prepares to Receive Patients from Venezuela
via Primera Hora
The Puerto Rico Medical Center in Río Piedras is coordinating the possible transfer of patients affected by earthquakes in Venezuela. Secretary of the Department of Health, Víctor Ramos Otero, and Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Medical Services Administration (ASEM)…
Government May Extend Operation of Venezuela Aid Collection Centers
via Primera Hora
The Puerto Rico government is considering extending the operation of aid collection centers for Venezuela, according to Secretary of State Rosachely Rivera Santana. The centers, located in Ponce, Manatí, Mayagüez, Fajardo, and Guaynabo, are currently set to conclude operations on…
Public Employees to Have July 3 and 24 Off Without Charge to Vacations
via El Nuevo Día
Governor Jenniffer González announced on Thursday that public employees will have July 3 and 24 off, in commemoration of US Independence Day and Puerto Rico's Constitution Day, respectively, without charge to their vacations or any other license. The governor made…
PIP Legislation Would Limit Powers of Secretary of State
via El Nuevo Día
Representatives Denis Márquez and Adriana Gutiérrez of the Partido Independentista Puertorriqueño (PIP) have introduced a bill to define the functions that can be delegated by the Executive and those that are non-transferable, in response to concerns over the broad powers…
Representative Calls for Investigation into Parole Board After Murder Convict's Release
via Primera Hora
Representative Ramón Torres Cruz has requested an investigation into the Parole Board's performance after a man, Carlos Manuel Estéfano Pino, who was released on parole, became a person of interest in the murder of a nurse in Caguas. Estéfano Pino…
Venezuelan Children's Baseball Team to Return Home with Aid for Earthquake Victims
via Primera Hora
The Venezuelan children who won the Latin American and Caribbean Children's Baseball Series in Loíza will return to their country with 21 suitcases full of essential items to distribute to those affected by two recent earthquakes. The initiative was launched…
San Lorenzo Commemorates 250 Years of the United States
via NotiCel
Governor Jenniffer González Colón presided over commemorative acts for the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America in San Lorenzo's Plaza de los Alcaldes. The event was attended by state and federal officials, members of the…
Final Budget for New Fiscal Year: Key Agency Allocations
via El Nuevo Día
After months of evaluation and last-minute setbacks, the certified budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, which began on July 1, has reconfigured the allocations for several major agencies. While some agencies will see increases in their funds, others have suffered…
House Bill Proposes New Rules for Puerto Rico Property Sales
via News is My Business
Puerto Rico lawmakers are considering House Bill 1331, a 77-page measure that would create the Puerto Rico Real Estate Regulation Act, repealing Act 10-1994. The bill, filed by Reps. Carlos 'Johnny' Méndez-Núñez and Yashira Lebrón-Rodríguez, aims to update rules for…
PR House to Hold Hearing on Parole Board After Nurse's Murder
via Primera Hora
The Puerto Rico House of Representatives' Judiciary Committee will hold a public hearing Thursday, July 9, at 10 a.m. in the Severo Colberg hearing room to examine the operations of the Junta de Libertad Bajo Palabra (Parole Board). Committee president…
Puerto Rico Tourism Company to Open Pet Supply Collection Center for Venezuela Earthquake Victims
via Primera Hora
Puerto Rico's Tourism Company will set up a collection center for pet supplies to aid animals affected by earthquakes in Venezuela. The drive will run during the Gran Feria de Turismo Interno, taking place this Saturday and Sunday at Balneario…
Government Interns Participate in Community Service at Animal Shelter
via Primera Hora
Youths participating in the José M. Berrocal Internship, part of the Autoridad de Asesoría Financiera y Agencia Fiscal (AAFAF), visited the San Francisco de Asís Animal Sanctuary in Cabo Rojo to perform community service. During the visit, the interns actively…
Arecibo Flood Control Project Faces Funding Uncertainty as Costs Balloon to $600 Million
via El Nuevo Día
Thirty years after being authorized under the Water Resources Development Act, the flood control project for Arecibo's Río Grande faces an uncertain future due to lack of funding. The project's cost could reach $600 million, nearly $500 million above original…
Puerto Rico Launches Centralized Government Financial System 'Íntegra'
via Primera Hora
Governor Jenniffer González Colón announced that about 66 government agencies went "live" this Wednesday with Íntegra, a new centralized digital financial system replacing one developed in the late 1990s, which she called "archaic." Speaking at a press conference at the…