Austerity doubts

[NewsWhore]

Writing in El Caribe newspaper, lawyer Marisol Vicens Bello says that the austerity plan announced by the President is doubtful at best. Vicens points out that many of the President's proposals contain loopholes that would allow for things to continue as usual, regardless of the situation. Vicens points out that government salaries won't have to be reduced if there is an increase in government revenues next year, vehicles for personal use can be imported without taxes if the President signs off on it, delegations traveling abroad can have more than five members if the President or the delegations say so, and government officials can have police escorts at the President's discretion. Unlimited cell phone use and expense accounts will also be allowed to continue wherever the President deems those perks necessary. Vicens takes us back to the proposed reforms and reductions in government payrolls in 2003, none of which were carried out, and reminds us of one particular case. According to Vicens, Dominican Consuls were to have been paid a standardized salary, instead of receiving 25% of consular fees, potentially reducing the inflated costs of consular services, but that plan has also been left to gather dust. Vicens concludes that most of the points of the President's austerity plan can be evaded through discretionary action and exceptions. The austerity plan doesn't include penalties and reprimands for violations of the plan either, making it likely that no one will comply with it, and according to her, making almost certain that this time next year we will be asked for another fiscal reform.

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