Introduction
Miguel Treviño, the former mayor of San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León, shares his insights on building a competent government team based on talent rather than political obligations and fostering a work culture rooted in knowledge.
The Importance of Establishing Routines for Public Administration
Treviño emphasizes the necessity of providing local public administration with governing routines to establish a rhythm for change. He believes that re-election of mayors offers significant advantages, allowing long-term transformations.
Treviño’s Relevant Background and Achievements
Miguel Treviño, an influential politician in Nuevo León, rose to the mayoral position of San Pedro Garza García through an independent candidacy and successfully secured re-election. His unique journey highlights the importance of his insights into local governance.
Treviño’s Perspective on Democracy Transition in Mexico
During an interview promoting his book, “Contra corriente. Por qué y cómo enfrentar el desafío de rescatar tu ciudad” (Against the Current: Why and How to Tackle the Challenge of Rescuing Your City), Treviño reflects on Mexico’s transition to democracy. He acknowledges that free and respected elections do not guarantee high-quality governments, but he also notes that some alternances elevated the management level, albeit marginally.
San Pedro’s Success as a Case Study
Treviño’s administration in San Pedro Garza García focused on incorporating citizen talent and implementing distinctive projects, such as long-term urban regeneration initiatives. These efforts proved particularly inspiring for younger generations, showcasing the potential of a genuinely citizen-oriented government.
The Applicability of Treviño’s Principles
Treviño asserts that his principles apply to any local government, emphasizing the significance of establishing a vision, forming a talent-based team, creating a work culture, and implementing efficient government routines.
Key Public Issues Addressed by Treviño
- San Pedro was facing a decline, with public spaces increasingly neglected as the municipality transformed into an office district.
- Treviño had to adjust the bureaucratic machinery, addressing inefficiencies in annual budgeting for long-term projects and the lack of capabilities for unprecedented initiatives.
Progress in Designing Evidence-Based Public Policies
Treviño laments the prevalent culture where governors believe they generate all good ideas, isolating themselves from their teams’ factual input. He stresses the importance of data-driven decision-making, contrasting it with the federal government’s approach during his tenure.
Advantages and Disadvantages of a 6-Year Mayoral Term
- Advantages: Re-election enables long-term transformations in cities, offering hope for addressing decades-long accumulated problems.
- Disadvantages: Six years may still be insufficient to meet cities’ needs, and the reversal of mayoral re-election possibilities is detrimental to the nation.
The State of Independent Candidacies
Treviño acknowledges that independent candidacies have a higher chance of success in mid-sized cities. He believes smaller municipalities can also benefit from this political figure.
Strengthening Municipal Institutions
Treviño advocates for municipalities learning to collect predial taxes, which would lead to healthier finances and greater autonomy from state and federal orders.
National Efforts to Fortify Municipalities
Treviño stresses the importance of legislation that empowers municipalities, as they are the closest governance level to citizens and address their immediate needs.
