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Groß-Gerau district's financial policy reception
The future of local finances was the subject of the New Year's financial policy reception, which the district of Groß-Gerau gave way to the decision of the district council on Friday, January 17th. The aim was to point out the precarious financial situation and the resulting difficulties to perform all tasks. A good 100 guests from politics and society came to the Georg Büchner Hall of the district office, there were musically received by the “Duo Town Streich” with a thematically suitable piece.
After greeting District Administrator Thomas Will, things went straight to the point: Prof. Dr. Thomas Döring (economist and sociologist, Darmstadt University) - briefly introduced by the same moderator Christian Döring - impressively stated in his keynote spectac in permanent imbalance ”), be it through the presentation of data on the overall economic situation, to income and expenditure and the financial situation of the municipalities. The presentation of Professor Döring can find interested parties here .
The scientist cited as reasons for the imbalance that the municipalities took any scope for action, including economic, inflation, increasing expenditure in the social sector, new tasks that transfer the federal and state governments to the municipal level, as well as falling assignments (both ongoing and for Investments). Prof. Döring said that caution was announced for the numbers forecast for the coming years because everything is based on the assumption that there will be economic growth again in the future.
According to the speaker, it is already clear that the municipal debt will increase that necessary investments can only be implemented delayed and that the austerity measures that have already been fizzled out. In the subsequent discussion, it became clear what this means in concrete terms. “In our circle we have an investment requirement of one billion euros. According to the current state of affairs, we need 25 years for the implementation. We don't have this time. Something has to change urgently, ”said the district administrator.
The chairman of the district advisory board, Stefan Stein, also described the drastic situation of schools, "which burst at the seams". It is so important to invest in the formation of children, because "this creates a strong economy in the long term". There is also a need for renovation at sports facilities, said Juliane Kuhlmann from Nauheim, the President of the Hesse State Sports Association. Municipal sports funding is an important pillar. If this trap, then "offers can no longer take place, although the demand is there". In addition, constant deficiency demotivates who volunteer in sports clubs.
Nils Kliesing, branch manager of the Groß-Gerau district craftsmanship, said that the craft will receive fewer orders because both the municipalities and private individuals (who are increasingly stressed by tax, contributions and fees). In addition, smaller companies in particular are burdened by exuberant bureaucracy: “We need structural change in many areas. One, further and control up there is nothing. "
Lucian Lazar, Head of Regional Diakonie Groß-Gerau/Rüsselsheim, emphasized that the Groß-Gerau district has so far managed to maintain social peace. He appealed not to destroy the good structures out of lack of money: "We still need these funds to integrate people with us." So -called voluntary services are "not only expenses, but investments in democracy and humanity".
Christian Suhr, head of the Büchnerbühne Riedstadt, supported this line for the cultural area. "Culture reflects the self -image of a community," said his conclusion. It is bad when different areas of society are played against each other. "We have to ask the question of our basic values," he appealed.
Professor Döring also sees the crucial point of democracy responsibility in the financial issue. “Without reforms, municipalities threaten collapse. We have to think about the system, otherwise there are big problems, ”said his conclusion. He had brought a few suggestions with him: change the unbalanced distribution of spending loads and tax revenue in the public total budget; improve municipal tax equipment by increasing the sales tax share from 2 to 6 percent; Extend independent taxes; Separate between "social budget" and the rest of the local budget; Eliminate the gaps in connexuality; Convert integration aids into a social security benefit; Redizing financial equalization (less retrospectively, more focusing on future requirements such as climate protection and adjustment); Funding programs reduce in favor of flat rates, purpose -bound medium allocations; Reduce standards.
(Gross-Gerau district-PSKGG)
Science has to come into contact with practice for the implementation. Thomas Döring and District Administrator Thomas Will. Photo: district administration
