2024-07-11 14:03:13
Statement by the Governor of Upper Austria before the Federal Council on challenges to federalism
Vienna (PK) – “The state is reliable and close to the people”, this is the motto of Upper Austria Governor Thomas Stelzer when he presides over the state governors’ meeting. On the occasion of taking over the office of Chairman federal council Stelzer expressed his views on the current challenges to federalism in a statement in the state parliament through Upper Austria. Stelzer stressed that states and municipalities must obtain the necessary funding for their different tasks. But the federal states are also ready to make their own contribution to the state’s success.
Stelzer: The federal states make a significant contribution to the success of the entire state
Governor Stelzer emphasized the contribution of the federal states to the success of the entire state. They are aware of their responsibilities as independent members and contributors to the nation and strive to fulfill the tasks assigned to them in the best possible manner. But they must also be given the appropriate resources to do so. Recent fiscal equalization is an important step forward, with funding particularly in health and care increasing in value. However, Stelzer emphasized that the debate over the key to financial equilibrium distribution still needs to continue. Funding allocations must keep pace with the growing mandates of states and municipalities.
In return, states are prepared to assume state-wide obligations. This is reflected in the motto “Reliable for the Country”. In the cantons and municipalities, contact with citizens is direct. Experience shows that many people are willing to get involved, especially at community level. This is the only way that many areas of public safety or healthcare in Austria can be supported by volunteer work. Therefore, securing volunteer work was important to him.
The federal states can contribute to securing this position
Stelzer said Upper Austria calls itself a country of culture. Culture is “the humus and innovative spirit of a successful life.” This innovative spirit has always distinguished Europe, Austria and Upper Austria in particular. What is important now is to continue to leverage innovation as a location advantage. The financial foundation for prosperity also needs to be secured and developed. But the fact is that Europe as an industrial base has fallen behind in recent years. Stelzer stressed the importance of a good pan-European location policy, which must be characterized by technological openness, the elimination of excessive regulation and support for European production. The national level can also make its own contribution, for example by speeding up approval processes and reducing bureaucracy, but also through research and expanding infrastructure.
Stelzer identified key challenges in health care. This is also to maintain human dignity. No one who needs help should be left alone; this applies to people in care and their relatives. Stelzer called for a common strategy to recruit caregivers and quickly recognize qualifications. The private practice area needs to be strengthened to reduce the burden on hospital outpatient departments.
Stelzer said the states’ role in federalism is to participate and serve as role models for how we relate to each other. Cohesion is an important foundation for living together peacefully and freely. Stelzer said he also made a commitment to cooperation when he served as chairman of the Governors Conference.
ÖVP: Need to commit to sustainable site selection policies
Johanna Miesenberger (ÖVP/OÖ) says Upper Austria is known as a location for industry and commerce, but also for its unique cultural landscape. Federalism undoubtedly places high demands. But it also opens up the possibility of solving problems close to people. Miesenberg pointed to the Upper Austria plan presented in 2020, which focuses on future investments, job creation and protection, and site selection policies. The goal is sustainable economic development. Agriculture plays a central role in sustainability, climate and environmental protection issues. Farmers must be able to earn a fair income for their services.
Miesenberg said Upper Austria is a leader in energy efficiency and renewable energy expansion. She pointed to liquidity challenges. Traffic in big cities must be eased, but traffic in rural areas must also be guaranteed. Other areas that require special attention are care and family, the federal councilor said.
Bernhard Ruf (ÖVP/OÖ) welcomed the “Industrial and Regional Revitalization Plan” announced by Governor Stelzer. He said the federal states must work together so that Austria as a whole can remain liveable and successful.
SPÖ: Supporting the community in fulfilling its mission
Dominik Reisinger (SPÖ/Upper Austria) sees major challenges facing federal structures and calls for more support for municipalities and regions. He warned that municipal autonomy was increasingly being eroded and many cities were at risk of financial collapse. Municipalities are expected to take on more and more tasks, but at the same time, they are chronically underfunded. As a result, many city plans will be shelved rather than implemented, which will also have a negative impact on employment. One-time aid will not solve the problem. Reisinger demanded that fiscal equalization must be redesigned and distribution methods adjusted. He sees that there is still much work to be done in child care and children’s education. The Federal Council has complained that Upper Austria ranks last when it comes to childcare services.
Upper Austria SPÖ federal councilor Bettina Lancaster criticized plans to cut the AMS budget. The lack of funds for further training particularly affects young people, women and those who rely on social enterprises, as they struggle to establish themselves in the entry-level labor market. The decarbonization of industrial production is welcome, but more sustainable production of electricity is needed. Therefore, pipeline construction must be accelerated. Broadband expansion in rural areas must also be promoted as part of public services. Lancaster also supports the achievements of small communities in creating livable environments. Here, she firmly opposes “structural adjustment” that ignores basic values such as quality of life just to meet efficiency standards.
FPÖ: Roads and mass transport must not be in opposition to each other
Günter Pröller (FPÖ/Upper Austria) criticized high costs and bureaucratic obstacles that would harm Austria’s location and competitiveness. At the federal level, this shows a failure of coalition policy. The pattern of cooperation between parties in Upper Austria differs from that at the federal level. The era of supermajorities is over, so cooperation between different political forces is inevitable. By merging the public transport and road construction sectors, Upper Austria shows what a holistic solution can look like. Preller believes that pitting road construction and public transportation once morest each other is a wrong and “ideologically driven” approach. In his view, the black-green federal government has fundamentally damaged citizens’ “basic trust” in democracy. His team hopes to restore that trust.
Upper Austria FPÖ federal councilor Markus Steinmaurer sees his state as a role model and “the economic engine of the republic”. He called for rethinking political cooperation in terms of forward-looking action. In Upper Austria, important projects in sustainable energy production and housing construction have already been implemented. The housing construction and renovation offensive also secured many jobs. The compaction strategy successfully suppressed soil depletion. Steinmaurer also believes that linking immigrants’ social support with their willingness to integrate is the right approach.
Green Party: Locational policy also requires energy transition and soil protection
Claudia Hauschildt-Buschberger (Green Party/Upper Austria) said she was concerned that the expansion of wind power and renewable energy in Upper Austria has stalled in recent years. The state currently uses only 2% of its wind power. By 2030, the wind power utilization rate will reach 20%. Hausschild-Buschberg said that this goal is technically achievable and that the legal framework for the energy transition is already in place. Action must be taken to achieve climate goals. She also worries regarding “land erosion.” Valuable arable land is being developed, urban expansion continues, and town centers are left vacant. This issue must be addressed through clear guidelines. Upper Austria is undoubtedly an industrial state. However, good locational policy also requires active energy and soil conservation strategies.
NEOS calls for countries to implement tax autonomy
Federal Councilor Manuela-Anna Sumah-Vospernik (NEOS/W) stressed that Austria must “fit for the future”. Unfortunately, there is a lack of will for reform, especially at the national level, for example in the design of the health sector. In principle, from a NEOS perspective, complete tax autonomy is necessary for the states. If countries are allowed to tax and spend on their own, they can also invest in a more targeted and efficient way. Sumah-Vospernik believes this will also reduce taxes for citizens. (continues Federal Council) sox
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