Argentina
They propose in the Buenos Aires Senate allowing the use of rural road funds for 180 days for waterworks
The initiative was introduced by the Unión y Libertad bloc in the provincial upper house. It seeks to allow municipalities to reallocate up to 100% of those resources amid the risk of rain and flooding linked to a possible arrival of El Niño.
The Unión y Libertad bloc in the Senate of the province of Buenos Aires introduced a bill to exceptionally authorize, for 180 consecutive days, the use of rural road funds for urgent waterworks, according to Clarín and Infobae.
The proposal was promoted by Buenos Aires senators Sergio Vargas, Carlos Kikuchi and Silvana Ventura. The text proposes that municipalities be allowed to reallocate up to 100% of those resources to address possible waterlogging and flooding linked to a potential arrival of the El Niño phenomenon.
According to both media outlets, the initiative temporarily modifies the framework set out in Law 13,010, which allocates decentralized resources from the Rural Property Tax to the maintenance and grading of dirt roads.
Among the tasks contemplated are storm drainage works, dredging and cleaning of canals, repair of culverts and the purchase of water equipment. According to Clarín, the bloc argues that current regulations may make it difficult for municipalities to respond to severe weather events.
Kikuchi said the current rules do not fit the scenario the districts could face. Vargas, for his part, said the proposal does not involve more resources or new taxes, but rather the possibility of using existing funds to prevent the consequences of flooding.
According to Infobae, the bill must now move forward in the legislative process to seek the necessary support in the provincial Senate.
Sources
About this note. Written by El Notero with the assistance of artificial intelligence, based on what was published by the cited outlet. El Notero did not conduct its own reporting on this event.
