The Chamber of Deputies passed the 2003 Budget yesterday with 93 of the 138 deputies voting in favor. The budget regulates the disbursement of RD$83 billion over the course of 2003 and represents nine billion more money than was budgeted last year. The main departments and institution to see increased allotments this year are: city halls (1% increase), the Supreme Court of Justice, the managing ministry of the Presidency (Secretariado Administrativo de la Presidencia), several non-governmental organizations primarily linked to the congressmen themselves, and the ministries of Education and Health.
