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The island House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a group of resolutions to investigate issues such as the state of roads, socioeconomic development in the northeast of the island and the operation of water and compost plants in Arecibo.
House Speaker Carlos “Johnny” Méndez Núñez stressed that the measures seek to address “the most pressing concerns of our constituents” and mark the beginning of the legislative investigations of the recently convened ordinary session.
Among the resolutions, number 7 stands out, which will examine integrated development in the northeast region, and number 10, focused on the conditions of the roads in Canóvanas, Carolina and Trujillo Alto. In addition, Resolution 29 will investigate the operations of the sewage and wastewater treatment plant in Arecibo, as well as the compost management operations of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.
House Resolutions 38, 40 and 60, meanwhile, filed by different legislators, were approved. Resolution 38, authored by the House speaker, seeks to examine the impact of tourism on communities, identifying opportunities to promote sustainable economic development. Resolution 40, also filed by Méndez Núñez, will investigate the conditions and services directed to seniors and marginalized communities on the island. Resolution 60, introduced by Rep. Eddie Charbonier Chinea, will focus on analyzing the fiscal situation of the government, including the use of public funds, and identifying possible areas of improvement in fiscal administration.
Popular Democratic Party Minority Leader Héctor Ferrer Santiago filed two measures related to immigration and a federal executive order that eliminates the right to birthright citizenship. House Joint Resolution 38 requests that the island Justice secretary join as a plaintiff in a coalition of states seeking to block the executive order, alleging that it violates the principles of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Ferrer Santiago also proposed House Concurrent Resolution 3, which strongly rejects the executive order. Both measures faced objections to the discharge, so they will remain in the regular legislative process.
The House recessed until next Monday at 1 p.m.
