City Legislature debates ABL property tax hike bill

The City Legislature was debating several bills laws including the 2012 Budget and an increase on the ABL property tax, with 31 lawmakers present.

The debate began when the PRO bloc and opposition lawmakers mustered the necessary quorum.

Outside the building, political organizations including members of La Cámpora, Movimiento Evita, Kolina and Tendencia –all of them Kirchnerite supporters- protested against "the budget cut in social areas such as housing and education," a spokesman explained.

The day’s agenda foresees the debate of the modification of the current Fiscal Code, the 2012 Budget law, and the reform of the City Bank’s charter.

The 2012 budget foresees expenses of 32,7 billion pesos. Sixty five percent of that amount will be destined to social sector, while 20 percent will be alloted to public works.

Mayor Mauricio Macri’s administration wants to increase the ABL property tax because they consider that “currently, the tax is regressive, unequal and unfair and many cases, properties of equal value in the same neighbourhood pay very different fares.”