Elderly people in Puerto Rico are going to have to start paying for leisure activities. Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla signed a law Thursday that eliminates the free passes to those who are 75 and up at public events.

The law was in effect since 1985. The entertainment industry has been trying to get the law changed because they argued it took away profits and caused ticket prices to increase. Garcia's ruling also increases the age for seniors to receive discounts from 60 to 65.

Because many of the theaters and sporting arenas are public in Puerto Rico, the ruling by Garcia has a large effect on the Puerto Rican economy. The main baseball stadium in San Juan, for example, is publicly owned.

"With the approval of this measure, we boost economic activity and create jobs," said Garcia, who is trying to revive a struggling economy.

In support of the decision, Puerto Rico's Association of Producers for Public Events said the ruling will help create jobs and lead to more performances.

Some elderly citizens were upset by the ruling.

"This is a crime," said Maria Rodriguez, a 63-year-old retired heavy machinery operator from San Juan. "Where are we going to get the money from if we live off a pittance?"

Others acknowledged the state of Puerto Rico's economy and said it was something that needed to happen.

"In a way, I accept it because of the situation we're in nowadays," Primitiva Martinez, 71, said. "People have to eat."

In Puerto Rico, an island of 3.6 million, about 15 percent of the population is 65 and older. From 2000 to 2012, the population of seniors increased by 28 percent.

Puerto Rico's economy has struggled for the past eight years, being in an almost constant recession.

What do you think about Gov. Garcia's ruling? Should elderly persons still receive free admission to public performances and sporting events even though the economy in Puerto Rico is in trouble? Leave a comment below.

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