Frequently it is observed that the Dominican Republic has all the laws to make it run well, and that what is needed is to comply with the laws. But sometimes, the country just has laws that don’t make sense.
Diario Libre looks into the major mishap of the legislature that passed several laws that does not specify an amount, rather the totals are pegged to a percentage of GDP or other government funds. As President Luis Abinader himself has observed during a recent La Semanal press conference, there is no way the government can comply with these laws. The President would like Congress to act to correct the situation. Diario Libre gives the numbers of why the spending as to the percentages ordered by the laws would bankrupt the state.
In black and white, the newspaper uses National Budget data to report that to comply with the laws is equal to 65% of all Central Government expenditures.
The laws order the government to make available these funds for these departments every year in the National Budget:
Ministry of Education: 4% of GDP
Central Bank: 1.2% of GDP
UASD state university: 5% of all internal revenues
Local municipal governments: 10% of the general government fund
Ministry of Youth: 1% of internal revenues
National Children’s Council (Conani): 2% of the National Budget + 20% of 30% of slot machine revenues
Ministry of Women: 1% of the licenses for firearms
Ministry of Tourism: 50% of all tourist cards funds
Tobacco Institute (Intabaco): 8% of the selective tax on tobacco products
Conaleche: RD$120 million
Central Electoral Board: 0.5% of the National Budget
National Congress: 3.10% of the General Fund
Judicial Branch: 2.66% of the General Fund
Attorney General Office: 1.44% of the General Fund
Customs Agency: 4% of all its collections
Chamber of Accounts: 0.30% of the General Fund
Tax Agency: 2.5% of all its collections
President’s Fund: 5% of all current revenues
National Disaster Fund: 1% of all current revenues
Read more in Spanish:
Diario Libre
2 May 2024