Since 2012, the voivodeship government, working with senators and deputies from Platforma Obywatelska, had been reporting to the Ministry of Finance the need to introduce new regulations to the law on the revenues of local government units. A series of analyses and calculations was prepared, confirming that Janosikowe in its current form contributes to the deterioration of the budgetary condition not only of Lower Silesia but also of other voivodeships.
“Our local government's position was also supported by the authorities of other regions, including during the Marshals' Convention in Lublin in 2014, and it produced the first results: this year's Lower Silesian obligations under Janosikowe decreased from PLN 65 million to approximately PLN 52 million,” says Marshal Cezary Przybylski.
Next year, the voivodeship's budgetary situation looks even better. The president of the Republic of Poland has just signed an amendment to the law extending the existing rules for calculating Janosikowe and granting regional and equalisation subsidies. Consequently, according to estimates by the Ministry of Finance, next year Lower Silesia will not make any payment under Janosikowe.
“The amendment is a huge success for the entire region. I am pleased that the voivodeship government found support in this matter among Lower Silesian deputies and senators. The funds obtained will make it possible to increase spending on road repairs and modernisation, healthcare, culture and science. In addition, we would like to relaunch the Lower Silesian Development Assistance Fund, supporting the least affluent areas of the voivodeship,” said the marshal.
As a result of the new regulations, in 2016 the local government will receive PLN 11 million in regional subsidy, PLN 36.6 million in equalisation subsidy and PLN 14.6 million in earmarked funding for the construction, repair, maintenance and management of voivodeship roads.
“Above all, we wanted these funds to be spent in Lower Silesia, and we succeeded in achieving that. This is not the result of two or three days of consultations, but of months of arduous work and discussions at the Ministry of Finance, which can be uncompromising when it comes to the budget. It is only a pity that deputies from Prawo i Sprawiedliwość did not support this amendment, which is beneficial to the region,” added Member of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland Michał Jaros.
Press Office of UMWD