A Mexican Senator introduced a bill that, if enacted, would cut the national congress’ budget by 25 percent.
Senator Víctor Hermosillo, a Mexicali member of the National Action Party, or PAN in Spanish, said based on figures from Mexico’s Treasury Department that for the 2017 Fiscal Year Budget the federal government will cut 70,300 million pesos or $3.9 billion.
In the meantime, the national congress’ budget for next year will be 12,812.7 million pesos or $711.82 million, which translates into budget augmentation for both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Hermosillo, a former Mexicali Mayor, said it is unacceptable to cut funds for Mexico’s safety net, scientific research, education and health that benefit families.
He went on to say that politicians must set the example under austerity times.
Sen. Hermosillo said if the legislative budget is cut by 25 percent Mexicans would save 3,202.2 million pesos or $177.96 million.
The Mexicali lawmaker said the proposal is based on an internal Senate ruling approved and published on Mexico’s Federal Official Daily, the equivalent to the U.S. Federal Registry that set measures to reduce expenditures with several savings plans in order to reach previously established goals.
The bill was sponsored by four other senators, including former Baja California Governor Ernesto Ruffo.
