The Chamber of Deputies foresees austerity measures which would yield almost 130 million pesos ($6 million) by cancelling privileges for deputies such as end of year bonus payments, cellphone services, gasoline coupons and business class travel. The austerity plan — reached by the Board of Political Coordination of the chamber of Deputies — does not interfere with the deputies’ medical insurance or allowances.
Marko Cortés Mendoza, coordinator of the National Action Party (PAN) faction in the chamber, said these measures represent a first approach in reducing expenses and further measures are to be expected. Cortés stated PAN members brought forth an initiative to reduce unnecessary expenses up to 500 million pesos ($23.2 million), however, these initial measures are welcome.
Federal deputies receive a monthly attendance fee of 73,817 pesos, on top of the 45,785 pesos for legislative assessments and 28,772 pesos for citizen assistance.