by Ana Vinas, Staff writer and Translator
State Representatives in Chihuahua may see their salaries increased by 17% if the current proposal is approved by the Administration Committee of the State Congress. If approved, Representatives' salaries will increase from 21,902 pesos per month to 25,625 pesos per month. The amount of the raise is based on the minimum wages for workers agreed to in the Agreement for Economic Growth (ACE), signed a couple of weeks ago at the national level.
The budget for 1997 is now being formulated by the legislators. An expenditure increase of 30% is expected for the entire Congress; this year it was $31 million pesos, next year it could be $40 million pesos. In addition, the 24 representatives who will enter the Legislature will receive a Christmas bonus of 29,200 pesos (40 days pay), plus the monthly salary of 21,902 pesos in one check. This means every legislator will receive 51,102 pesos in the month of December. For the 24 legislators' salaries and bonuses, Chihuahua's State Congress will spend 1,226,448 pesos.
Source: Diario de Juarez