Tierra Verde Assembly votes down federal infrastructure bill

The Tierra Verde Regional Assembly voted 31 to 19 against the Federal Infrastructure and Transit Modernization Act on Thursday afternoon, with rural delegates arguing that the bill allocates too little funding to regional roads and agricultural storage facilities. The measure, backed by the federal government and the Partio de Unueco's leadership in Meridian, had been expected to pass without significant resistance.

Governor Lucía Báez, who had remained neutral during committee deliberations, acknowledged the assembly's concerns in a statement after the vote. The Governor said the region's smallholder farming sector cannot afford delays in rural connectivity while federal resources concentrate on urban transit projects in the coastal regions.

The rejection does not kill the bill at the federal level—the Federal Assembly in Meridian retains authority over infrastructure spending—but it signals that Tierra Verde's representatives intend to use their regional platform to press for amendments. Federal Treasury Minister Marcus Eklund indicated on Wednesday that the government would consider revisions before the measure returns to the Federal Assembly.