BOGOT & LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN COLOMBIA Does Colombia have a primate city? Manifestations of unitary state organization BOGOTA National Cathedral & City Hall Boundaries of Cundinamarca-Bogot: Dissatisfaction City elites always wanted autonomy Part of surrounding Department of Cundinamarca Financial concerns led Department government to resist demands for autonomy Changing Boundaries of Bogot: Early Twentieth Century 1905 Bogota made into a Capital District 1909 returned to a Department 1954 Bogot becomes a special district following change in constitution More autonomy Extended boundaries All of the population living in a single administrative unit No longer part of Cundinamarca Constitutional Revisions: 1991 Bogot organized as a capital district Boundaries remained the same New rights acquired Separate electoral arena sent independent representatives to national congress Complete administrative autonomy from Cundinamarca More control over own budget Government of Bogot: Executive Power Chief Executive (Mayor) Appointed until 1988 Alternated between Liberals and Conservatives during National Front Constitution of 1991 Shift to elected mayor reflected efforts to Mayor elected for 3 years Not elgible for immediate reelection Government of Bogot: Legislative Power City Council (size increased as city population grew Since 1972 number of councilors increased in line with population increase 1972 20 councilors 1997 40 councilors Until 1972 half of all councilors were Liberals and half conservatives Conservative ranks infiltrated by ANAPO Liberals factionalized Government of Bogot: Revising 1991 Constitution Deadlock between mayor and city council paralyzes government l 1993 statute increased power of Mayor in relation to city council Government of Bogot: Administration & Responsibilities City Government gradually absorbed more functions after special administrative district created in 1954 Public agencies established to run Buses Maintain streets Health Education Housing privatized over time Government of Bogot & Private Sector Private sector housing Formal sector construction Illegal subdivisions Additional privatization in 1990s Rubbish collection Collection of taxes Electricity Struggle over privatizing telephones and telecommunications Mayor: longevity as a measure of political influence Term Between 1931 and 1954 average stay in office only nine months When city became a special district mean tenure increased to twenty-two months Elected term 3 years Political Recruitment of the Mayor: Only one female incumbent Until elections appointees always trusted associate of president Liberals and independents won most elections for mayor in 1990s More recently mayors have been from different political party than the president Most elected mayors held important political posts before becoming mayor Mayors of Bogata reflect uniqueness of the capital city Juan Lozano Garzon mayor of Bogota First leftist mayor Favored legalization of drugs Direct challenge to President Uribe Conservative mayor uses mimes to discourage jaywalking Antanas Mockus Mayor of Bogota Samuel Gustavo Moreno Rojas: Current Mayor of Bogota During his campaign proposed the construction of an underground rapid transit systemrapid transit system increase the passengers capacity of the city reduce the commute time increase the comfort of the trip by reducing the number of people per coach Proposition very controversial, because the city already has a mass transit system which is not finished yet son of former congressman Samuel Moreno Daz and former presidential candidate Mara Eugenia Rojas, grandson of former Colombian military dictator Gustavo Rojas Pinilla.congressman Samuel Moreno Daz presidentialMara Eugenia Rojas Gustavo Rojas Pinilla Elected Mayor of Bogot generally viewed as second most important politician in the country. Mayor of Bogota in Action: Opportunities and Constraints Relative to National Administration When mayor was a presidential appointee he implemented programs desired by the national executive Opposition mayors complain bitterly about financing Citys critical needs cant be ignored Bogot Verses Congress (hostility predominates) Those born outside of capital resent what they view as privileged treatment for the capital Minimal political advantage from investing in Bogot Many families retain loyalty elsewhere Mayoral Opportunities & Constraints II Relations with Neighboring Areas Residual bad feelings with Cundinamaarca impedes cooperative problem solving Public services often disjointed The City Council Long used as debating chamber to build recognition for aspiring politicians Division of responsibilities has not improved relations between Mayor & Council Budget of Bogot Municipio Traditional pattern (too little money to perform tasks expected of local government) Provided low level of services Ran a budget deficit Citys chronically poor financial situation principally due to its own reluctance to increase taxes Strengthens influence of the central government in the capital city Reasons why tax revenues from taxes on the book have not increased Collection of property tax insufficient Cultural attitude toward law enforcement permeates efforts to collect taxes Efforts to implement existing legislation by updating records resisted Colombian Local Government: Final Thoughts Demands on the municipios increasing Administration remains inefficient Clientilism predominates over merit criteria