The basic unit of Mexican government is the municipio (municipality, city/county combination), 2438 of
which existed in 2006. Municipios are usually formed by a major town and usually with a minimum of
25,000 surrounding inhabitants (in Veracruz) . The name of the town usually is also the name of the
municipio, which can at times be confusing.
Article 115 of the 1917 constitution proclaims the autonomy of local governments according to the principle
of the "free municipality" (municipio libre ). Although they are authorized to collect property taxes and
user fees, municipalities have historically lacked the means to do so, and relied mainly on transfers from
state governments for most of their revenues. A 1984 constitutional amendment expanded municipalities'
authority to raise revenue and formulate budgets. Further federal programs have now transferred reliance
on revenue to many federal sources of revenue, thereby undermining the previous strangle holds by state
governments in exchange for federal strangle holds.
Every 3 years or so, depending on whether someone is deposed or dies, a king gets chosen in Catemaco.
He is called Presidente Municipal Constitucional . He (no women elected yet) gets one term only, but
repeatable after a 3 year hiatus. He also gets an amazing clout of political power. Technically he shares
the power of office with a sindico unico and 4 regidores. The closest I can get to translating these
functions is city attorney and department heads. In addition, a presidente will appoint a secretary and
treasurer.
The entire government structure is referred to as ayuntamiento (city hall).
Elections are along party lines. By law the winning party gets the presidency and the sindico unico
position. The regidores offices are proportionally assigned to all parties, including the winning one. The
number of regidores are assigned by the state according to latest census figures. To be elected and be
part of the ayuntamiento government, candidates must be a Mexican citizen, a 5 year resident of Veracruz
and can´t be a religious minister among other requirements. Judical and legislative powers are reserved
to the state, but they are often circumvented by a president's clout.
Some of the state authorized departments distributed to regidores are:
Potable Water and Drainage
Public Lighting
Public sanitation
Graveyards
Slaughterhouses
Streets, Parks and Gardens
Municipal Police
Tourism
plus anything else the state authorizes.
which existed in 2006. Municipios are usually formed by a major town and usually with a minimum of
25,000 surrounding inhabitants (in Veracruz) . The name of the town usually is also the name of the
municipio, which can at times be confusing.
Article 115 of the 1917 constitution proclaims the autonomy of local governments according to the principle
of the "free municipality" (municipio libre ). Although they are authorized to collect property taxes and
user fees, municipalities have historically lacked the means to do so, and relied mainly on transfers from
state governments for most of their revenues. A 1984 constitutional amendment expanded municipalities'
authority to raise revenue and formulate budgets. Further federal programs have now transferred reliance
on revenue to many federal sources of revenue, thereby undermining the previous strangle holds by state
governments in exchange for federal strangle holds.
Every 3 years or so, depending on whether someone is deposed or dies, a king gets chosen in Catemaco.
He is called Presidente Municipal Constitucional . He (no women elected yet) gets one term only, but
repeatable after a 3 year hiatus. He also gets an amazing clout of political power. Technically he shares
the power of office with a sindico unico and 4 regidores. The closest I can get to translating these
functions is city attorney and department heads. In addition, a presidente will appoint a secretary and
treasurer.
The entire government structure is referred to as ayuntamiento (city hall).
Elections are along party lines. By law the winning party gets the presidency and the sindico unico
position. The regidores offices are proportionally assigned to all parties, including the winning one. The
number of regidores are assigned by the state according to latest census figures. To be elected and be
part of the ayuntamiento government, candidates must be a Mexican citizen, a 5 year resident of Veracruz
and can´t be a religious minister among other requirements. Judical and legislative powers are reserved
to the state, but they are often circumvented by a president's clout.
Some of the state authorized departments distributed to regidores are:
Potable Water and Drainage
Public Lighting
Public sanitation
Graveyards
Slaughterhouses
Streets, Parks and Gardens
Municipal Police
Tourism
plus anything else the state authorizes.
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Government of Los Tuxtlas
Municipal Government
Municipal Government
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