Senate approves, with amendments, a $13.18 billion operational budget for FY 2026–2027

The Senate approved a $13.18 billion budget for fiscal year 2026–2027 to fund government operations across all branches.

By THE STAR STAFF

The Senate has approved, with amendments, House Joint Resolution 356 (A‑117), an administration measure that allocates $13.1805 billion from the General Fund to cover the operational expenses of the Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.

During the presentation of the budget report, the chair of the Committee on Treasury, Budget and PROMESA, Senator Migdalia Padilla Alvelo, emphasized that the fiscal plan maintains flexibility for future revisions. “This is not written in stone,” she said, expressing her expectation that Puerto Rico will achieve consolidated balanced budgets that allow for the exit of the Financial Oversight and Management Board. “We want, once and for all, to achieve those four balanced budgets so the Board can release us,” she stated.

Padilla Alvelo described the budget as the result of “a rigorous process of analysis, evaluation, and responsible oversight” aimed at balancing fiscal discipline with the continuity of essential services. She explained that the measure strengthens priority areas such as public safety, health, education, and rehabilitation.

Among the main allocations is a $2.981 billion appropriation for the Department of Education, designated to cover payroll, school transportation, special education, technological assistance, student scholarships, and other operational expenses.

In the health sector, $1.8152 billion was approved, including $1.0303 billion for the Health Insurance Administration (ASES), $514.3 million for the Department of Health, $102.7 million for the Medical Services Administration, and $150 million for the Mental Health and Addiction Services Administration.

Public safety will receive $1.227 billion, of which $1.071 billion corresponds to the Puerto Rico Police Bureau. The allocation includes funds for payroll, recruitment, overtime, equipment, and $20 million for the federally mandated police reform.

The University of Puerto Rico will receive $560.9 million, and another $12.3 million is assigned to other public higher‑education institutions. The Department of Transportation and Public Works will receive an allocation of $55.4 million, a $12 million reduction from the previous fiscal year.

In support of the measure, the deputy majority spokesperson, Juan Oscar Morales Rodríguez, argued that “voting against this budget is voting in favor of the permanence of the Fiscal Control Board.” He also highlighted benefits such as salary increases for nurses at the Cardiovascular Center, additional resources for UPR, the Police, and the Comprehensive Cancer Center.