Deputies were not able to approve the internal ruling that would put the RD$15 million electronic bulletin board purchased and installed during the presidency of Hector Rafael Peguero Mendez to work. The board is a white elephant that since its purchase in late 1998 has only served to give a modern look to the Chamber of Deputies sessions hall. What the deputies have against the board, is that with it comes a ruling that would oblige them to work harder. The ruling establishes that the deputies can not abstain; they have to vote yes or no on bills or resolutions. Neither would they be able remain anonymous when voting as at present. The new ruling also establishes that deputies that are not present will suffer a reduction of RD$1,000 in their wages. The new board will electronically register this. The new ruling that has been debated on four occasions would replace the 1937 ruling of the Chamber of Deputies. Yesterday, the deputies spent 2:45 minutes debating the new ruling.
