Governor signs FY 2026‑2027 budget, issues line‑item vetoes

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón signed the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget, emphasizing fiscal responsibility and essential public services.

By THE STAR STAFF

Puerto Rico Gov. Jenniffer González Colón on Monday signed the government’s $13.17 billion budget for fiscal year 2026‑2027 and announced a series of line‑item vetoes aimed at strengthening fiscal discipline and redirecting funds toward essential public services and core government priorities.

“Every dollar contributed by our taxpayers must be used responsibly and directed to essential services for our people,” González Colón said, noting that the vetoes reflect her administration’s commitment to ensuring that public funds directly benefit residents.

Public safety emerged as one of the administration’s top priorities. The Puerto Rico Police Bureau’s budget will rise from $861 million to $1.131 billion — a $270 million increase that officials described as the largest in the agency’s history. The allocation includes $1.071 billion for operational expenses, $44 million to implement long‑delayed salary scales, and $15 million for equipment purchases such as bulletproof vests.

The Department of Corrections will also see its budget increase from $440 million to $461 million to improve working conditions and bolster security across correctional institutions.

The budget adds $5 million to the home‑care program for elderly residents, bringing its total to $20 million and expanding services to more than 3,000 seniors. Another $11.5 million will fund child‑care vouchers for families who do not qualify for federal programs, a measure intended to help parents remain in the workforce.

SER de Puerto Rico, recently designated a cultural and community heritage institution, will receive a recurring $5 million allocation to support specialist retention and ensure continuity of services.

Additional social‑service investments include $15.2 million for the ADFAN “Hogares” initiative, $17 million for adult foster‑care services, $1.6 million to recruit specialists at the Cardiovascular Center, and $23.6 million to modernize Medicaid information systems and improve access to federal funds.

The governor highlighted a $70 million General Fund allocation for road repairs — the largest in a decade. Combined with other investments made throughout the year, road‑related spending totals $200 million.

 The original executive budget totaled $13.18 billion but was reduced following legislative amendments and the governor’s vetoes. González Colón cut or eliminated $5.8 million in appropriations, redirecting those funds to the General Fund to strengthen government reserves.

Among the vetoes were a $709,000 allocation for the Philadelphia‑based Asociación de Puertorriqueños en Marcha and $700,000 for an organization focused on Caribbean preparedness and response that operates outside Puerto Rico.

She also reduced several appropriations for the General Services Administration, including $300,000 for trust positions, $1.02 million for professional services, $300,000 for legal services, and $300,000 tied to JEDI systems, citing the upcoming implementation of the government’s new ERP system.

In the Legislative Assembly, González Colón vetoed $2.5 million after identifying increases beyond the original budget proposal, though she ultimately allowed a net increase of roughly $7.5 million for the legislative branch.

“Fiscal responsibility is an obligation of the entire government,” the governor sa

The signed budget has been submitted to the Financial Oversight and Management Board for final review. The administration maintains that the spending plan complies with fiscal parameters and strengthens Puerto Rico’s financial position while prioritizing essential services.