A Morena party legislator in Baja California has introduced a bill to cap salaries, pensions, and retirement benefits for all state and municipal public servants. The proposal would amend the state constitution to align with federal Article 127, which sets strict limits on government pay.
Under the initiative, no public official in Baja California could earn more than the state governor. Salary scales for every government position would be made fully public, with all fixed and variable compensation components disclosed.
Federal Reform Drives State Action
The bill follows a federal constitutional reform recently approved by Mexico’s Congress. That reform established a 90-day window for all states to harmonize their local laws with the updated Article 127. Baja California’s proposal is a direct response to that deadline.
The pension caps would extend beyond core state government. Trust funds, decentralized agencies, and state-owned enterprises would all fall under the new limits. Current rules allow some officials at these entities to receive compensation packages that exceed the governor’s salary, a practice the bill aims to end.
What the Bill Would Change
If approved, the reform would require every state and municipal agency to publish detailed pay tables. Those tables must include base salary, bonuses, benefits, and any other form of compensation. The transparency requirement is designed to prevent hidden pay through irregular bonuses or off-the-books benefits.
The pension provisions are equally broad. Retirement benefits for former officials would be capped at a level tied to the governor’s salary. This could reduce long-term fiscal obligations for the state, potentially freeing budget resources for infrastructure and public services.
Baja California’s governor currently earns a salary that places the state among Mexico’s mid-range governors in terms of compensation. The exact figure fluctuates with annual adjustments, but federal law already caps the president’s salary at roughly 130,000 pesos per month (about $7,200 USD), and no state governor may exceed that amount.
Next Steps in the Legislature
The bill remains at the proposal stage and must be debated and voted on by the full state legislature. Morena holds a majority in the Baja California state congress, which could ease its path to approval. The 90-day federal deadline adds urgency to the process.
This story was first reported by La Jornada BC.