Rep. Roberto López Román By THE STAR STAFF New Progressive Party Rep. Roberto López Román has filed House Bill 1115, which proposes eliminating the Minimum Wage Evaluation Commission, but the labor sector representative on the panel, economist Iyari Ríos González, cautioned against the risks of the measure. Ríos noted that the bill aims to dissolve the wage-evaluation committee at a time when it is actively investigating potential minimum wage increases for agricultural, tax-

Economic Development and Commerce Secretary Sebastián Negrón Reichard By THE STAR STAFF In a pivotal move that could reshape Puerto Rico’s economic landscape, the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC by its acronym in Spanish) has thrown its full support behind House Bill 1213, the measure that would overhaul the island’s notoriously cumbersome permitting and planning system. The DDEC, along with its Office of Permit Management (OGPe), presented a comprehens

La Fortaleza Chief of Staff Francisco Domenech Fernández By THE STAR STAFF La Fortaleza Chief of Staff Francisco Domenech Fernández denied claims by General Services Administration (GSA) head Karla Mercado Rivera regarding the implementation of the Enterprise Resource Planning fiscal tool. Mercado Rivera had labeled as “defamatory and completely false” one of the responses Domenech submitted to the Senate as part of the extensive request for information on several topics. “I

Natural and Environmental Resources Secretary Waldemar Quiles Pérez By THE STAR STAFF In a new report that adds to other recent findings regarding the management of public resources in various entities, the Office of the Comptroller of Puerto Rico identified significant deficiencies in the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER), the watchdog entity announced Thursday. Audit Report OC-26-21, which covers the period from July 1, 2020 to March 31, 2025, issued

By THE STAR STAFF The Senate Committee on Transportation, Telecommunications, Public Services, and Consumer Affairs on Thursday evaluated House Bill 911 during a public hearing that raised concerns regarding the penalties, the definition of “voceteo” (loud vehicle audio systems), and the scope of the proposed ban. “An analysis of the statements presented today reflects that, generally speaking, the entities testifying agree on the need to evaluate amendments to the bill,” Sen

Peñuelas Mayor Josean González Febres, right, led a meeting with Agriculture Secretary Irving Torres Rodríguez and about 30 farmers from the southern coastal municipality with the aim of listening to their needs and presenting a work plan to strengthen the local agricultural sector. By THE STAR STAFF Peñuelas Mayor Josean González Febres led a meeting with Agriculture Secretary Irving Torres Rodríguez and about 30 farmers from the southern coastal municipality with the aim of

Labor and Human Resources Secretary María del Pilar Vélez Casanova By THE STAR STAFF Puerto Rico’s labor market continued to show signs of stability and sustained job growth in February, according to the latest edition of the Department of Labor and Human Resources’ Household Survey. Labor Secretary María del Pilar Vélez Casanova said the February 2026 data confirms that the island “continues advancing toward a more stable and resilient labor market.” She noted that the admin

Sen. Joanne Rodríguez Veve By THE STAR STAFF Sen. Joanne Rodríguez Veve on Wednesday asked the island Justice Department to open a criminal investigation into abortion providers, arguing clinics may be performing procedures outside the narrow exception allowed under Puerto Rico’s penal code. Rodríguez Veve, who left the conservative Dignity Project (Proyecto Dignidad) party and is now an independent senator, said she filed a formal complaint seeking an “immediate” investigati

University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez Campus officials said the multi-sector initiative was established after guidance from the UPR president and is intended to create formal spaces for dialogue, listening and problem-solving across the university community. By THE STAR STAFF The University of Puerto Rico’s (UPR) Mayagüez Campus has created a multi-sector dialogue forum -- including a representative committee and a certified conflict mediator -- following recent events tied to s

Health Secretary Víctor Ramos Otero By THE STAR STAFF Health Secretary Víctor Ramos Otero announced on Wednesday a decrease in influenza cases in Puerto Rico, noting that the main surveillance systems for respiratory and arboviral diseases remain below the epidemic threshold. “The influenza virus continues to circulate on the island, but indicators remain below the epidemic threshold, reflecting sustained yet controlled activity of this respiratory disease,” Ramos Otero said