A blow to golden privileges
The political scenario of Sinaloa has just changed. In a move that many will describe as historic, the State Congress approved in an extraordinary session a constitutional reform that puts an iron lock on luxury retirements. No more checks that exceed reality.
The essence is forceful: no public servant may receive a pension that exceeds 50% of the salary of the President of the Republic. Imagine that. A clear, hard limit, designed to cleanse the coffers.
“It was considered that this measure reduces privileges in these benefits,” was the key argument during the vote.
But here comes the really dramatic part. The reform does not only look to the future. It has retroactive effect. According to the second transitional article, the pensions already granted must be adjusted to the new ceiling. That is, there will be cuts. Checks that will be reduced overnight.
The reason? Legislators have in their hands documented cases where pensions financed with public money are a scandal. They far exceed the national average and even the salaries of those still working.
“They generate unsustainable pressures on public finances,” reads the explanatory memorandum.
This is not a simple technical fix. It is a forceful political message in a state marked by contrasts. While the national discussion on pensions advances at a slow pace, Sinaloa decided to act. He cut to the chase.
The state political theater has a new act, and this one promises to leave its mark. The consequences, both on payrolls and on the morale of the political class, remain to be seen.
