Nydia Velázquez Joins Criticism of Puerto Rico’s Public Information Access Bill

Nydia Velázquez, a Democratic congresswoman from Puerto Rico, has voiced strong opposition to Senate Bill 63, which seeks to limit public access to information. Velázquez claims that the bill will create significant barriers for both press and grassroots organizations committed to oversight in Puerto Rico and among the diaspora. She emphasized that only those who wish to conceal the flow and investment of public resources would benefit from this legislation.

Concerns Over the Public Information Access Bill

The recent legislative session in Puerto Rico concluded with the passage of a measure that restricts public information access. Under this proposed law, government officials could delay the provision of requested data. For instance, the timeline for delivering public documents is set to extend to 50 days. While a document of fewer than three pages is currently required to be delivered within 10 days, the bill proposes this period be lengthened to 20 days. Moreover, if the document exceeds 300 pages, the timeline could stretch to 30 days, with an additional potential extension of 20 days.

New Requirements and Its Implications

• The bill requires that each information request be submitted with the requester’s email and postal address.
• Requests must be communicated to agency heads to be deemed “non-defective.”
• These new requirements could disadvantage citizens lacking internet access or postal resources.
• Public agency employees face limitations when attempting to request information.

Velázquez underscored that Puerto Rico currently faces numerous challenges requiring governmental attention. From soaring energy costs to increasing militarization, accelerated emigration, and poor fiscal planning, the need for transparency is pressing. She argued that sacrificing transparency to facilitate agency operations is detrimental to the public interest.

Potential Risks of Increased Opacity

According to Velázquez, the proposed bill exacerbates risks of corruption, stifles economic progress, and diminishes available resources. She argues that these factors delay any hope for Puerto Rico to recover from its current financial crisis. Additionally, she pointed out the existing information gaps at the federal level that create an uneven playing field between Puerto Rico and the U.S. states.

Voices of Opposition

Following Velázquez’s statements, Pablo José Hernández, the resident commissioner in Washington, also expressed his disapproval of Senate Bill 63. Hernández, the president of the Popular Democratic Party (PPD), stressed the increasing need for transparency amid governmental abuse and democratic instability. He reinforced the importance of transparency, stating, “In times of governmental abuse, transparency becomes even more crucial.”

The passage of Senate Bill 63 has sparked significant concern among Puerto Rican leaders, emphasizing the necessity for a balance between bureaucratic efficiency and public accountability.