Buenos Aires Province lawmakers reject municipal fund distribution plan

The lower house of the Buenos Aires provincial legislature voted 43‑39 against the treatment of a bill that would have allocated a share of the Emergency and Strengthening Municipal Investment Fund (FEFIM) to municipalities. The proposal, backed by a letter signed by mayors from across the political spectrum, aimed to give local governments greater autonomy in managing the funds amid declining provincial revenues and mounting fiscal pressure.

Deputy Valentín Miranda (UCR) condemned the decision, saying the chamber “gave its back to a letter signed by mayors of all parties.” He added that the plan fell short of granting full municipal autonomy. Other former mayors, including Alejandro Acerbo and Diego Nanni, highlighted the worsening financial situation for localities, noting the funds were intended to help cover payroll obligations such as the annual bonus. Opponents argued the bill would amount to a “blank check” for the provincial government. The rejection leaves municipalities without the tool they had sought to address cash‑flow challenges.