In April, the federal government made 75 million euros available to the municipalities for the application of corona vaccination campaigns in the fall, the funds were earmarked despite much criticism. As reported, during the budget deliberations this week, the ÖVP and the Greens decided to revoke this earmarking: the municipalities may use the money elsewhere in the future.
The city of Linz received a total of 1.9 million euros, of which around 1.1 million euros are still available. The rest has already been invested in a corona vaccination campaign. Mayor Klaus Luger (SP) is now in favor of these funds not being added to the city budget, but being used for those people and organizations who are particularly affected by inflation and rising energy costs.
“I will propose to the Linz city senate that they set up their own fund from which the funds can be made available to those affected. Similar to the municipal Covid aid two years ago, we will find a common political denominator in the city government in this case,” Luger is convinced.
“Money must not disappear in the budget”
Health Councilor Michael Raml (FP) had previously spoken out in favor of using the available funds in a “socially accurate” manner by increasing the municipal solidarity fund. “The money must not disappear in the budget. Especially in view of the current difficult times, I want to be able to help Linzers quickly in emergencies,” said von Raml. He sees the abolition of the earmarking as a liberal success, and a corresponding resolution was passed at the municipal council meeting in September at the request of the FPÖ. The Association of Cities had also spoken out against the earmarking.
Source: Nachrichten
