Córdoba universities persist with a fiscally unviable project

Córdoba's public universities summoned the province's 21 national legislators to demand discussion of a new University Financing Law. The meeting was scheduled for this Monday at the Superior Council of the UNC, with the presence of rectors, unions, and student groups.

The proposal is promoted by the National Interuniversity Council (CIN). The bill proposes a gradual increase in investment in higher education from 1% of GDP in 2026 to 1.5% in 2031. Despite institutional pressure, the attendance of Córdoba's legislators at the meeting was not fully confirmed.

Among the senators, Luis Juez stated he had not received an invitation, although he did not rule out attending. Carmen Álvarez Rivero had not yet decided on her participation, and Alejandra Vigo announced she would send representatives on her behalf, making her support clear. The call caused varied reactions across all legislative blocs.

Córdoba's deputies: divided support in the face of university pressure

In the Lower House, some Radical deputies such as Soledad Carrizo and Gabriela Brouwer confirmed their attendance. Meanwhile, Rodrigo de Loredo (bloc president) was reviewing his schedule to be able to attend. From PRO, Héctor Baldassi excused himself due to scheduling reasons, but sent a letter of support for the university bill.

Among the Kirchnerists, Gabriela Estévez and Pablo Carro (Unión por la Patria) confirmed their attendance. Schiarettista Carlos Gutiérrez will also participate, while his colleague Alejandra Torres expressed her support from Madrid. From the provincial ruling party, Ignacio García Aresca and the Llaryorista bloc joined the meeting.

Natalia de la Sota also expressed support for the bill, as did Oscar Agost Carreño, who is seeking support to force legislative discussion. UNC's call managed to gather cross-party support, although several deputies indicated they had not received a formal invitation.

Libertarians reject spending they consider excessive

In the La Libertad Avanza bloc, deputy Gabriel Bornoroni criticized the bill: "If you want to break fiscal balance and with that bring back inflation, you can't count on me," he said. His colleague Celeste Ponce also denied having been invited, but gave no indication of support.

Deputy Cecilia Ibáñez (MID)excused herself due to commitments in Buenos Aires, although she assured that she usually participates even in matters where she disagrees. Meanwhile, Laura Rodríguez Machado (PRO) questioned the origin of the bill: "It was signed by Kirchnerism and by Facundo Manes's bloc. No one else supported it."

Luis Picat, a Radical who supports the libertarian ruling party, expressed a more moderate position: "I will participate and will support any reasonable bill." Meanwhile, Belén Avico (PRO) did not respond to inquiries. The libertarian bloc keeps its firm stance against increased spending.

Boretto justifies the demand, despite the national budget context

UNC's rector, Jhon Boretto, defended the bill in radio statements. "There has been a significant loss in the purchasing power of teaching and non-teaching staff, exceeding 30 percent," he stated. For the economist, the situation affects the retention and renewal of the academic staff.

Boretto also mentioned that the current budget was extended from 2022, which—according to CIN's arguments—created a 134% gap between inflation and allocated funds. "The functioning of universities is being seriously affected," he emphasized.

Regarding the 2025 budget, CIN warns that it only covers 50% of operational needs. The universities state that this underfunding puts essential activities such as research, outreach, and medical care linked to university health plans at risk.

A bill rejected by the Government due to its fiscal impact

President Milei rightly vetoed a previous University Financing bill in 2024 that was approved by Congress, arguing that it entailed spending without budgetary backing. According to the Congressional Budget Office, that law represented a fiscal cost of 0.14% of GDP, equivalent to $738,595 million.

The president pointed out that approving laws with new expenditures without concrete funding sources is irresponsible and undermines fiscal balance. "The surplus is non-negotiable," Milei emphasized in multiple statements. The official stance is clear: there will be no return to the structural deficit of the past.

Fiscal discipline has become the axis of the libertarian administration. The Executive reiterates that without balance in public accounts, there is no possibility of sustainable growth. For this reason, the veto was framed within a realistic austerity policy in the face of sectoral demands that ignore the economic situation.

University insistence, pressure without economic sense

The support of Córdoba's universities for this new version of the financing bill calls their institutional responsibility into question. Although they seek salary and budget improvements, they do so without considering the limits imposed by the country's macroeconomy.

The Government considers that giving in to corporate pressures like this would only open the door to a dangerous fiscal populism. Since December 2023, the libertarian administration has worked to reverse the inherited budgetary disorder and is not willing to backtrack on that path.

The dispute between educational financing and fiscal discipline must be solved with common sense. The Executive's stance is clear: without macroeconomic order, any expansion of spending is unfeasible. The goal is a sustainable university system, without returning to irresponsible wasteful practices.