The budget bill will go to the Committee of Conferences, after the Senate approved Tuesday with amendments the House Substitute to House Joint Resolution 454.
“To comply with the calendar of both the House, the Senate and the Fiscal Oversight Board, we are considering it today with amendments that will be discussed to take it to a conference committee between now and June 30… In its final version we will open the debate so that everyone for the record leaves their positions on it,” said the president of the Senate, José Luis Dalmau Santiago in written statements.
The budget amounts to 12 thousand, 739 million, 879 thousand dollars.
According to Dalmau Santiago, “it is the third balanced budget in a row while payments are being made to the central government’s debt. This demonstrates our fiscal responsibility and commitment to the economic stability of the country. In addition, it is the third budget in which we have managed to maintain the public policy of zero cuts to government pensioners. Our commitment is to ensure the well-being of those who have dedicated their lives to public service and we are proud to fulfill this promise once again.”
Among the amendments introduced by the Senate to the measure are the area of donations, subsidies and other distributions attached to Health, which is increased by 1 million to carry out a Universal Health Study included by the Senate in Law 53-2021. To the University of Puerto Rico, the item of Incentives and subsidies directed to the well-being of the citizenry is increased by 118 million dollars, and, specifically within this allocation, the one directed to cover operating expenses of the University of Puerto Rico, of 441 to 500 million dollars.
In addition, among other amendments, appropriations under Treasury Custody were included, the Professional Services item (Title 3 professional fees) is reduced by 5 million, from 88 to 83 million dollars. In the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, an allocation of 26 million dollars is made for the food services provided to the correctional population.
