Puerto Rico Gov. Alejandro García-Padilla signed Thursday the law that approves a 68 percent increase in the excise tax over crude oil and its derivatives to $15.50 from $9.25 per barrel, expected to take effect immediately.
Citing local and federal Constitutional rights that establish freedom of information, New Progressive Party Rep. José Enrique Meléndez filed a lawsuit against the Government Development Bank and Gov. Alejandro García-Padilla, asking the court to order them to release reports crafted by private firms proposing a restructuring of Puerto Rico’s economy.
The Government Development Bank for Puerto Rico spent $2.6 million to pay for the services of two stateside law firms, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP and Proskauer & Rose LLP, seeking advice on “financing plans and other related matters.”