Minority officials criticize mayor bill

Several elected officials from the opposition party expressed concerns regarding the new law passed by the Assembly that allows the governor to have a hand in substitute mayor appointments.

On Saturday, lawmakers approved a bill to reform state law that was enacted hours later.

The new law allows the governor to nominate the Assembly candidates to vote for replacements if a city’s mayor steps down for more than 30 days.

According to state law, alternate elected officials (voted along candidates) must step up in case of resignation. If the alternate candidate cannot or does not want to occupy the office, city council members used to appoint a successor.

Tijuana Congressman Héctor Cruz said state lawmakers did not learn the lesson given by the Mexican Supreme Court several months ago when a law was repealed by justices.

According to the Mexican lawmaker, the new law violates voters’ decision, the federalist system and the principle of checks and balances by invading an area exclusive to cities.

Cruz expects the new law will be repealed as well if it makes it to the Supreme Court.

Mexicali City Councilman Héctor Ibarra said the act adopted by the

Assembly is inconceivable and a violation by the governor of city autonomy.

“We suffer from an authoritarian government,” the councilman said. “Law is being manipulated by a person due to the internal issues in Morena (aka National Regeneration Movement)”.

The councilmember demanded that Gov. Jaime Bonilla respect the law and Baja Californians.

In a prepared statement, Secretary of Government Amador Rodríguez said the bill seeks to protect democracy and institutional functionality. The state official denied the law seeks to interfere in municipal affairs.

However, Mexicali Councilman Diego Echevarría, of the minority National Action Party, said the bill was approved and enacted due to personal, childish issues within the governing party.

The bill was approved after Tijuana Mayor and gubernatorial candidate Arturo González stepped down once weeks ago, leaving alternate Karla Ruiz in office.

“The new (legal) reform submitted by the governor and blindly accepted by the Assembly was not thoroughly analyzed and was not voted democratically,” Echevarría said. “This shows once again officials of Morena just protect their own interests and do not care for obeying laws and institutions.”