On Tuesday afternoon, the Congress approved the regular budget for the fiscal year 2019, in first reading, with 40 votes in favor and eight against.
Through the Ministry of Finance, the government had requested the guarantee for 10.9 billion colones; however, the Committee on Finance Affairs cut about 13 billion colones.
The legislators that support Fabricio Alvarado voted against the proposal of the government, specifically Nidia Céspedes, Ignacio Alpízar, Harllan Hoepelman, Marulin Azofeifa, Carmen Chan, Jonathan Prendas and Ivonne Acuña. They were joined by the Republican Dragos Dolanescu.
Its second and final reading was scheduled for November 27th, according to Carolina Hidalgo, president of the Congress.
Despite the constant attempts of José María Villalta to open the Plenary in the General Committee to make changes to the budget, he did not have the necessary backing.
Frente Amplio aimed to bring back ¢2,2 billion of the anti-tobacco law transferred to the Centers of Education and Nutrition and Children’s Centers for Comprehensive Care (Cen-Cinai). Villalta argues that a specific destination was established when that legislation was created, for programs of the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) and the Institute on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (IAFA).
On August 31st, the Minister of Finance Rocío Aguilar presented the proposal to the Legislative Assembly, where she highlighted that 53.5% will be covered with debt, which represents an increase of 9% compared to last year’s budget.
According to data presented by the Ministry of Finance, while a colón is collected, the government will spend ₡2.15; therefore, it will resort to borrowing to supply the remaining 1.15 colones.