People are having a hard time agreeing with the cost/benefit analysis politicians have defended for years. Politicians argue democracy is expensive but worth it. Over the years, legislators have ensured they are of the best paid in government. Despite the Constitution reading that no one can rule in their own benefit, the opposite has happened over the years, especially over the 16 consecutive years of Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) governments.
As a consequence, the Dominican Republic has one of the most costly legislative branches in Latin America. Only Brazil, Argentina and Mexico spend proportionately more on their legislators, as reported in Acento. Perhaps, in 2021 the new administration will do something about it. The Senate, the Chamber of Deputies and the Dominican participation in the Central American Parliament costs taxpayers just a tad over RD$7.8 billion pesos a year (as in the current 2020 Budget). Dominican legislators make more than the legislators in Spain, and enjoy huge perks.
For the first time there is real pressure for the government to remove the infamous “little barrel” of the Senate and the “little box” in the Chamber of Deputies, both known as social compensation funds, but better known as discretionary funds that allow the legislators to perpetuate themselves in the positions.
Combined, these two benefits in addition to wages and other perks represent a close to RD$700 million per year.
In a country where the minimum wage for a government worker is RD$10,000 a month, nearly RD$5.2 billion is allotted to the 210 deputies, including those of the Parlacen, and RD$2.6 billion to the 32 senators.
Besides their very handsome salaries, legislators also receive international health insurance for their families, including children up to 25 years of age, three vehicles with drivers and fuel, plus they receive 100% tax exonerations for any two vehicles per four year term of office. These are sold, illegally, in many cases. The estimate is that senators cost the country US$500,000 per year.
El Dia editorializes today on the responsibilities of Congress and its high cost.
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Acento
25 October 2020