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2008 Assessment

Argentina: Integrity Indicators Scorecard

Argentina: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: Budget Processes
Indicators		Score
40	Can the legislature provide input to the national budget?	33
41	Can citizens access the national budgetary process?	33
42	Is there a separate legislative committee which provides oversight of public funds?	100
43	Is the legislative committee overseeing the expenditure of public funds effective?	0

Indicator and sub-Indicator Details

Can the legislature provide input to the national budget?

40a: In law, the legislature can amend the budget.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: National Constitution: [ LINK ]

40b: In practice, significant public expenditures require legislative approval.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: All significant government expenditures (defined as any project costing more than 1% of the total national budget), must be approved by the legislature. This includes defense and secret programs, which may be debated in closed hearings. <p>50 Score Criteria: Most significant government expenditures (as defined) are approved by the legislature, but some exceptions to this rule exist. This may include defense programs, an executive\'s personal budget, or other expenses. <p>0 Score Criteria: The legislature does not have the power to approve or disapprove large portions of the government budget, or the legislature does not exercise this power in a meaningful way.$

Comments: The chief of staff has the power to reassign the budget without a debate in Congress.

References: La Nación, Sept. 16, 2008: [ LINK ]

Informe de Ejecución Presupuestaria 2008, ASAP, [ LINK ]

Federico Arenoso, Poder Ciudadano Foundation, September 2008.

Peer Review Comments: Since 1989, Argentina has been under a state of economic emergency which delegates to the executive branch ample discretionary authority to use budget resources as it pleases. Legislative oversight is basically absent.

40c: In practice, the legislature has sufficient capacity to monitor the budget process and provide input or changes.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: La Nación, Sept. 11, 2008: [ LINK ]

La Nación, Sept. 9, 2008: [ LINK ]

Federico Arenoso, Poder Ciudadano Foundation, September 2008.

Can citizens access the national budgetary process?

41a: In practice, the national budgetary process is conducted in a transparent manner in the debating stage (i.e. before final approval).

Score:

100

Comments:

References: La Nación, Sept. 17, 2008: [ LINK ]

Federico Arenoso, Poder Ciudadano Foundation, September 2008.

41b: In practice, citizens provide input at budget hearings.

Score:

100

Comments: Citizens can give their budget inputs only in a few city councils.

References: Índice Latinoamericano de Transparencia Presupuestaria, Poder Ciudadano Foundation. [ LINK ]

Federico Arenoso, Poder Ciudadadno Foundation, September 2008.

41c: In practice, citizens can access itemized budget allocations.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Índice Latinoamericano de Transparencia Presupuestaria, Argentina. [ LINK ]

Federico Arenoso, Poder Ciudadano, September 2008.

Is there a separate legislative committee which provides oversight of public funds?

42: In law, is there a separate legislative committee which provides oversight of public funds?

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: National Constitution

Comision de Presupuesto y Hacienda. Senado de la Nacion [ LINK ]

Comsion de Presupuesto y Hacienda. Camara de Diputados de la Nacion [ LINK ]

Comision Mixta Revisora de Cuentas

Is the legislative committee overseeing the expenditure of public funds effective?

43a: In practice, department heads regularly submit reports to this committee.

Score:

100

Comments: Reports regarding this issue are not submitted.

References: Indice Latinoamericano de Transparencia Presupuestaria. Argentina [ LINK ]

Federico Arenoso, Poder Ciudadano Foundation, September 2008.

43b: In practice, the committee acts in a non-partisan manner with members of opposition parties serving on the committee in an equitable fashion.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: The committee is comprised of legislators from both the ruling party (or parties) and opposition parties in a roughly equitable distribution. All members of the committee -- including opposition party members -- are able to fully participate in the activities of the committee and influence the committee\'s work to roughly the same extent as any other member of the committee. <p>50 Score Criteria: The committee is comprised of legislators from both the ruling party (or parties) and opposition parties although the ruling party has a disproportionate share of committee seats. The chairperson of the committee may be overly influential and curb other members\' ability to shape the committee's activities. <p>0 Score Criteria: The committee is dominated by legislators of the ruling party and/or the committee chairperson. Opposition legislators serving on the committee have in practice no way to influence the work of the committee.$

Comments: It does not. Most committee members represent the official party.

References: Indice Latinoamericano de Transparencia Presupuestaria. Argentina [ LINK ]

Federico Arenoso, Poder Ciudadano Foundation, September 2008.

43c: In practice, when necessary, this committee initiates independent investigations into financial irregularities.

Score:

100

Comments: This committee does not initiate investigations.

References: Indice Latinoamericano de Transparencia Presupuestaria. Argentina [ LINK ]

Federico Arenoso, Poder Ciudadano Foundation, September 2008.