Lemus' plan: Goodbye to the ITEI, hello to a new "citizen body"

In a move that promises to redefine access to information and accountability in Jalisco, Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro has formally submitted a bill to the State Congress to create a new Transparency Law. The bill is not a simple reform; it entails the dissolution of the current Institute for Transparency, Public Information, and Protection of Personal Data of the State of Jalisco (ITEI) and its replacement with a completely new structure.

The Pillars of the New Transparency Law

The stated objective of the initiative is to "guarantee Jalisco's continued leadership in transparency." To this end, the proposal revolves around several key points that would change the current landscape:

* Repeal of Current Law: The plan contemplates repealing the current law to make way for entirely new legislation, designed to align with the General Transparency Law and recent constitutional reforms at the federal level that also aim to restructure these agencies.

* Creation of a "Transparency Subsystem": Instead of the ITEI, a new model is proposed. This subsystem would be headed by an honorary Advisory Council of Experts and a smaller, operational, decentralized body.

* A New "Citizen Body": Governor Lemus has emphasized that the new executive body will be "completely citizen-owned" and will focus on overseeing the work now performed by the State Comptroller's Office. The shortlist for its head and advisors will be proposed by the Social Participation Committee of the Anti-Corruption System and the new Advisory Council.

* Municipal Mandatory: One of the initiative's central demands is that the new law establish mandatory transparency not only for the three branches of government, but also for all 125 municipalities in Jalisco, an aspect that, according to the government, the federal reform does not address with sufficient clarity.

"Jalisco deserves true accountability, with a focus on ensuring transparency. This proposal incorporates input from experts who advocate the creation of this new citizen oversight and accountability body." – Pablo Lemus Navarro, Governor of Jalisco.

Controversy and National Parallels

Although the government frames the initiative as a step toward a more efficient and citizen-oriented model, the proposal is not without controversy. The elimination of autonomous organizations like the ITEI is seen by some sectors of civil society and the opposition as a potential setback in the checks and balances on power.

This movement in Jalisco is not an isolated case. At the national level, a reform has been promoted to eliminate the National Institute of Transparency, Access to Information, and Protection of Personal Data (INAI) and its state counterparts. Critics of this trend argue that:

* Centralizes power: By transferring the functions of an autonomous body to executive branch offices (such as the Comptroller's Office), independence in oversight is lost.

* Reduces countervailing power: Autonomous bodies were created to monitor the government from outside. Their elimination weakens citizens' ability to hold it accountable.

* Risk of political control: Although it is referred to as a "citizen body," the governor's influence in the appointment of its leaders could compromise its impartiality.

The Jalisco government defends its proposal, asserting that it was built on 15 citizen forums with the participation of more than 3,000 specialists and that the labor rights of ITEI workers will be protected.

The future of transparency in Jalisco now rests in the hands of the State Congress. The discussion and eventual approval of this law will be a key indicator of the balance of power and the true commitment to accountability in the state.