NewsWhore
05-27-2010, 03:50 PM
Hoy newspaper editorializes today about the RD$150,000 bonus legislators ordered each of the 178 deputies be paid. The newspaper describes the perk as another of "the endless and irritating privileges" that the legislators receive.
The editorialist complains that this month the deputies have paid themselves their wages 11 days in advance and then they have granted themselves RD$150,000 each with the pretext that the money would be used to celebrate Mother's Day in their communities. Mother's Day in the DR is celebrated on Sunday, 30 May this year.
The Hoy editorial mentions that all throughout May deputies have not held legislative sessions because they had been busy campaigning for re-election in the 16 May congressional election.
The newspaper points out that each deputy has a base wage of RD$175,000. Add to that RD$35,000 for expenses, RD$45,000 perdiem, RD$87,000 for help plans and RD$50,000 for social assistance. These funds can be used at their discretion, with almost no control on behalf of the government. Taxpayers also cover cell phone bills and fuel bills of the legislators. Legislators are also allowed to import tax free two vehicles, regardless of the cost. The same law now authorizes three unlimited exonerations on vehicles for legislators elected for the 2010-2016 term.
"So much in privileges goes beyond what is reasonable and fair, in a country with extreme levels of poverty and that needs its legislators to carry out work that will contribute to improve the living conditions of the people. Many of the privileges, as in the case of the unlimited tax exemptions and the so-called "little barrel," are drafted by the legislators. There seems to be no end to their letting loose their ambitions. The worst is their resistance to any change in this," concludes the editorial writer.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#5)
The editorialist complains that this month the deputies have paid themselves their wages 11 days in advance and then they have granted themselves RD$150,000 each with the pretext that the money would be used to celebrate Mother's Day in their communities. Mother's Day in the DR is celebrated on Sunday, 30 May this year.
The Hoy editorial mentions that all throughout May deputies have not held legislative sessions because they had been busy campaigning for re-election in the 16 May congressional election.
The newspaper points out that each deputy has a base wage of RD$175,000. Add to that RD$35,000 for expenses, RD$45,000 perdiem, RD$87,000 for help plans and RD$50,000 for social assistance. These funds can be used at their discretion, with almost no control on behalf of the government. Taxpayers also cover cell phone bills and fuel bills of the legislators. Legislators are also allowed to import tax free two vehicles, regardless of the cost. The same law now authorizes three unlimited exonerations on vehicles for legislators elected for the 2010-2016 term.
"So much in privileges goes beyond what is reasonable and fair, in a country with extreme levels of poverty and that needs its legislators to carry out work that will contribute to improve the living conditions of the people. Many of the privileges, as in the case of the unlimited tax exemptions and the so-called "little barrel," are drafted by the legislators. There seems to be no end to their letting loose their ambitions. The worst is their resistance to any change in this," concludes the editorial writer.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#5)