By THE STAR STAFF The island House of Representatives approved by voice vote on Monday a $13.18 billion General Fund budget for fiscal year 2027, advancing a spending plan that outlines operating funds for the executive branch, the Legislature and the judicial branch. The measure, House Resolution 356, assigns $13,180,532,000 from the General Fund. The resolution, introduced by House Speaker Carlos “Johnny” Méndez Núñez and more than 30 representatives, details agency‑by‑agen

Rep. José Pérez Cordero By THE STAR STAFF Faced with the possibility of an acute drought that forces a water rationing program, Rep. José “Che” Pérez Cordero announced on Monday the filing of a measure that seeks to investigate the possibility of installing water collection and storage systems from rainfall at residences. “Rainwater harvesting offers multiple environmental, economic and social benefits,” said Pérez Cordero, who chairs the Judiciary Committee in the lower cha

Senators Gregorio Matías Rosario and Carmelo Ríos. By THE STAR STAFF During its regular session, the Senate of Puerto Rico approved a measure introduced by Majority Leader Gregorio Matías Rosario aimed at strengthening the protection of the Puerto Rico Police Retirement Trust Fund and ensuring that its resources are used exclusively to enhance retirement benefits for members of the police force. Senate Bill 1323 amends the Puerto Rico Police Retirement Trust Act to establish

Executive director of Amnesty International Puerto Rico Liza Gallardo Martín. By THE STAR STAFF Amnesty International is sounding the alarm over what it describes as a “clear pattern of democratic deterioration” in Puerto Rico, citing a series of legislative and executive actions that it says restrict public oversight, weaken civil liberties, and shrink the island’s civic space. “These are not isolated incidents; they are warning signs,” said Liza Gallardo Martín, executive d

Up to 400 families will benefit from potable water storage systems that help ensure access to water during extended service outages. By THE STAR STAFF The mayor of San Juan, Miguel A. Romero Lugo, announced the start of the program Capital Response , an initiative through which the Municipality will invest $1 million from the Municipal Emergency Fund to acquire and install residential cisterns in homes affected by the recent water crisis. The program will benefit up to 400 f

The Energy Bureau is examining fuel cost projections that could influence upcoming electricity rates. By THE STAR STAFF The Puerto Rico Energy Bureau has ordered LUMA Energy and Genera PR to appear at a virtual technical conference on June 25 to explain how they developed their latest fuel and purchased power cost projections, particularly in light of a sudden decline in international oil prices following a June 14 agreement between the United States and Iran. LUMA is the pr

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón By THE STAR STAFF The Financial Oversight and Management Board (FOMB) has certified a revised 2024 Fiscal Plan for the Commonwealth, cautioning that fiscal stability remains vulnerable without stronger implementation of structural reforms. In a recent letter to Governor Jenniffer González Colón and the Legislature, the FOMB said the revised plan reflects updated economic data, new federal funding assumptions, and adjustments to long‑term spendin

By THE STAR STAFF With the goal of strengthening technical compliance and fostering leadership, innovation, and sustainable growth of CPA firms in Puerto Rico, the Society of Certified Public Accountants (CCPA by its initials in Spanish) will hold the 2026 Annual Conference of Firms and Independent Practitioners, under the theme “From Technique to Strategy,” on June 25 from 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Hyatt Centric San Juan Hotel in Isla Verde. The conference has been designe

By THE STAR STAFF The Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico has certified the fifth revised fiscal year (FY) 2026 budget for the bankrupt Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), formalizing a new spending framework aligned with the latest rate determinations issued by the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau (PREB). In a June 17 letter to Gov. Jenniffer González Colón, the oversight board confirmed that the revised budget complies with the Puerto Rico Oversight,

Former Permits Management Office Assistant Secretary Norberto Almodóvar Vélez By THE STAR STAFF The Office of the Special Independent Prosecutor Panel (OPFEI by its initials in Spanish) has appointed two independent prosecutors to investigate former Permits Management Office (OGPe) officials Norberto Almodóvar Vélez and Charlene Neuman Rivera, following a referral from the Department of Justice and the submission of additional information by a former Cabinet official. The inf