PRASA seeks bids for $51.6 million in water and sewer projects — a NAPREC perspective
The Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority is seeking bids on six projects estimated at $51.6 million, led by a $15.93 million sewer rehabilitation in San Sebastián and a $12.88 million raw-water intake for the El Yunque treatment plant in Río Grande. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Data center bill offers tax rates as low as 1% — a NAPREC perspective
House Bill 1523, introduced October 15, would offer income tax rates as low as 1% to qualified computing and artificial intelligence centers that meet power supply, grid support and other operating requirements meant to protect the island’s power system. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Claire Valdez elected to succeed Nydia Velázquez — a NAPREC perspective
Assembly member Claire Valdez won New York’s 7th District, ABC 7 projected, succeeding Representative Nydia Velázquez, who did not seek reelection after more than three decades in Congress. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Ocasio-Cortez and Torres reelected in the Bronx — a NAPREC perspective
Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ritchie Torres, both of Puerto Rican descent, won reelection in New York’s 14th and 15th Districts, according to unofficial results reported by the Bronx Times. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Nellie Pou wins a second term in New Jersey’s 9th District — a NAPREC perspective
Representative Nellie Pou, whose parents moved from Puerto Rico to New Jersey in 1953, won reelection on November 3, defeating Republican Clifton Councilwoman Rosie Pino, the Associated Press reported. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Pasquines poll: 56% of respondents prefer statehood — a NAPREC perspective
In Pasquines’ October 2026 Elections Territorial Poll, 56.0% of Puerto Rico respondents chose statehood as their preferred status, 20.7% the current territorial status and 15.3% independence with a free association pact. Another 4.0% chose independence, and 4.0% were undecided. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Resident Commissioner comments on 2030 Census rules for Puerto Rico — a NAPREC perspective
Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández submitted comments to the U.S. Census Bureau on how proposed 2030 Census rules could affect the count of Puerto Rico’s population and of Puerto Rican communities in the states. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
COSSEC reports record capital and plans $3.6 million in dividends — a NAPREC perspective
COSSEC, Puerto Rico’s credit union regulator and insurer, reported its highest capitalization ratio, 2.98%, and a net position of about $305 million at the close of fiscal 2026, and plans to distribute $3.6 million in dividends to insured credit unions. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
UPR-Mayagüez leads $8 million NSF stem cell manufacturing center — a NAPREC perspective
The University of Puerto Rico’s Mayagüez campus is leading an $8 million National Science Foundation-funded center, CAPCell, that will use artificial intelligence to improve the manufacturing, monitoring and quality of stem cells for therapies. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Puerto Rico businesses lag most states in AI use — a NAPREC perspective
Only 15.7% of Puerto Rico businesses surveyed by the U.S. Census Bureau in October reported using artificial intelligence in any business function, compared with 24.6% on average. Four states reported lower use: New Mexico, Wyoming, Idaho and West Virginia. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
UPR wins $19.9 million NIH grant for biomedical research — a NAPREC perspective
The University of Puerto Rico’s Medical Sciences Campus announced a $19.9 million, five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of General Medical Sciences to support the Puerto Rico IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (PR-INBRE). Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Census: 16% of Puerto Rico’s housing units have solar panels — a NAPREC perspective
U.S. Census Bureau estimates highlighted by the Puerto Rico State Data Center show that about 260,820 housing units, or 16% of the housing stock, used solar panels in 2025. Only Hawaii and California had higher shares; the national figure was 5.2%. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Bill would widen tax exemptions for federally supported rental housing — a NAPREC perspective
House Bill 1533 would expand property tax exemptions for federally supported affordable rental housing, while limiting the relief to qualifying residential units and necessary common areas. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Producers back a bill to end the ticket endorsement requirement — a NAPREC perspective
Event producers told a House committee that House Bill 979, which would end the Treasury ticket endorsement for performances, would cut paperwork; Treasury Secretary Ángel Pantoja opposed the bill as drafted, citing sales tax oversight. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Senate bill would regulate experimental and regenerative treatments — a NAPREC perspective
Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz and 18 senators filed Senate Bill 1556, the Puerto Rico Clinical Innovation and Regenerative Medicine Act, to expand access to certain experimental treatments and set permit and oversight rules for providers. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
FEMA approves $45 million for public housing and water repairs — a NAPREC perspective
FEMA approved more than $45 million for Puerto Rico: nearly $44.8 million in Public Assistance and nearly $565,000 from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Aibonito apparel plant plans $1.2 million expansion — a NAPREC perspective
PRAK Industries LLC plans to invest about $1.2 million in its Aibonito plant, which makes military and commercial apparel, with a commitment to create and retain a total of 120 jobs, according to the Department of Economic Development and Commerce. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Bill would limit AutoExpreso fines when warnings fail — a NAPREC perspective
House Bill 1527 would protect drivers from AutoExpreso insufficient-balance fines when the required warning devices at a toll were officially recorded as out of service, and would require clearer notices and accessible ways to add funds. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Electricity prices rose 37% in five years, outpacing the U.S. — a NAPREC perspective
An analysis by the University of Puerto Rico’s Center for Development Studies found that the average electricity price rose about 37%, from 19.63 to 26.9 cents per kilowatt-hour, between fiscal years 2021 and 2026, against about 30% for the U.S. average. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Unemployment in Puerto Rico rises to 6.2 percent — a NAPREC perspective
Seasonally adjusted figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that Puerto Rico’s unemployment rate rose to 6.2 percent in September 2026, from 5.6 percent in April and May. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.