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Mendoza Moves to Enshrine Municipal Autonomy While San Rafael Presses Ahead

A court fight now looms over who sets the rules for local charters in Mendoza.

Overview

  • The provincial government sent a bill to amend Article 197 to the Legislature to write municipal autonomy into the Constitution.
  • The draft bars municipalities from creating new taxes and limits them to fees for specific services actually provided.
  • The proposal requires each local Charter to be written by a specially elected convention and then sent to the provincial Legislature for a decision within 90 days.
  • The Executive plans a conflict‑of‑powers case before the Supreme Court to stop San Rafael’s unilateral process, while Mayor Omar Félix says he will call the convention anyway.
  • Several mayors welcomed the chance to craft Charters but urged a new revenue‑sharing law, with Capital’s Ulpiano Suárez proposing a formula that rewards efficient management and shields smaller departments.