Edition from Saturday, October 28, 2023
Innsbruck (OTS) – With its first budget, the black-red state government must prove that it is not only saving sensibly, but also making the right decisions with investments. She has to set priorities and critically question prestige projects.
Everything will and can no longer work out financially in Tyrol. The dynamic debt brake inevitably forces the black-red state government to make savings. At the same time, the current debt backpack of one billion euros weighs heavily. After all, Tyrolean politics has always been defined by solid finances, a zero deficit and a relatively “light” debt backpack. It doesn’t matter whether black-red is ruling the country, as it is now, or whether black-green is at the helm, as was the case for ten years.
Before the corona pandemic, the country’s debt was 250 million euros, today it is four times as much. In the medium term, however, the liabilities must be reduced again, as State Governor Anton Mattle (VP) and his deputy Georg Dornauer (SPÖ) know this only too well. At the end of the day, this is what they will be judged politically by.
Increasing expenses for public services are undoubtedly restricting the scope for action in the state budget; spending on social services, the health sector, care or the legal right to childcare are the big challenges in the coming years. The comprehensive care for children aged two and over is expected to cost up to 500 million euros when completed. You then have to ask yourself how the new building of the MCI Entrepreneurial University in Innsbruck, with an estimated cost of 200 million euros, stands – also in relation to the country’s total debt level. The answer is simple: in none.
The economic downturn, the still high inflation and the burdensome energy costs also call for caution, although the public sector cannot constantly put together support packages. This is why courageous political decisions are needed to save money, invest sensibly and – where necessary – relieve the burden on the population. The MCI or the conversion of the Zillertalbahn to an environmentally friendly drive will be an indicator of how serious the black-red state government is about a budget policy that is suitable for its grandchildren. “Make a wish” is a thing of the past, careful handling of tax money must be the guideline.
Political courage is needed more than ever. It is important to set priorities and weigh up projects sensibly, although this obviously carries the risk of conflicts within the coalition. Because both the ÖVP and SPÖ do not want to offend their voters. Nevertheless: Mattle and Dornauer are not at the top of the country for hesitation and hesitation.
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