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Puerto Rico House approves conference substitute and adopts state budget after extended debate
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Summary
After hours of floor debate about allocations and the role of the Financial Oversight and Management Board, the Puerto Rico House approved the conference substitute to the budget and announced what it called a fourth consecutive balanced budget; the substitute passed by recorded margin on the floor.
The Puerto Rico House of Representatives approved a conference substitute to the government budget on June 29, 2024, after extended debate over distribution of funds and oversight by the Financial Oversight and Management Board (Junta de Supervisión Fiscal). The presiding officer announced the adoption as the House's fourth consecutive balanced budget.
Supporters said the package increases funding for public safety and key public services. A speaker opening debate said the legislature has increased public safety funding "aumentando esas ese presupuesto ... en ciento cuatro millones de dólares," and highlighted nearly $60 million in additional increments for health services since 2021. The same speaker also noted allocations for the University of Puerto Rico, including $102 million for program support and $18.8 million for repairs to a north-dorm tower.
Opponents and skeptics pressed for more transparency about last-minute changes to the working documents and questioned whether the measure meets the Financial Oversight Board's standard for a balanced budget. One member asked that the House clarify what percentage of the Department of Education's appropriation goes to direct services, and pointed to a $760,000 increase labeled as "nmina de confianza" (confidential payroll) and $5 million in special accounts tied to police licensing whose current use, the member said, "se desconoce hasta el sol de hoy."
Several members voiced concern about conditional appropriations that remain subject to Board approval. A representative from the Party of Dignity said she would cast a "voto a favor con voto explicativo," citing unease that specified funds (for example, a $7 million appropriation to strengthen integrated centers for minors) are contingent on the Board's later review.
Michael Lebrn, who spoke after a brief absence, criticized the late circulation of final working documents and said recruitment efforts funded in the measure must be paired with retention strategies. He noted that some positions recently recruited have experienced significant attrition and said the budget should address retention, not only hiring.
The House opened a partial roll-call vote on a conference substitute tied to the joint resolution RC-624; the official report read on the floor showed the substitute obtained 43 votes in favor and 3 against. Later the presiding officer announced that, by the result of the day's voting, the chamber approved the budget and recessed with a schedule for completing remaining formalities.
The measure now proceeds to the next steps required by law and any review by the Financial Oversight and Management Board. Several members signaled they would file explanatory votes to register reservations about process and conditional appropriations.
The House recessed at the close of the day's business; the president excused several members and announced the chamber would reconvene at 1 p.m. on June 30 for remaining items.
