Struggles of urban governments underscored during Cities Day event
In a pressing concern that has taken social media by storm under the hashtag #Handlungsfähig, German municipalities are calling for immediate financial and structural reforms to ensure sustainable local budgets. The urgency of the situation has been highlighted by Ralf Broß, a member of the city council and the SPD mayor of Karlsruhe, who warns that many municipalities are nearing their breaking point due to rising costs.
Sixty mayors and mayors from various cities and communities are united in this call, emphasizing the need for the federal and state governments to address the dramatic underfunding of cities and communities. Ralf Broß, speaking at the end of a clip, states that the limit has been reached for all cities, and it has already been exceeded for many. He urges for quick structural changes, arguing that transferring more tasks to municipalities without providing the necessary funds for their fulfillment is no longer effective.
The precarious financial situation of municipalities has been a topic of concern, with Ralf Bross stating that cities can't buy anything with warm words alone. He emphasizes the need for the billions from the special fund to flow completely and directly to the municipalities. The city council of Stuttgart has also highlighted this issue, adding their voice to the growing chorus of municipalities calling for action.
The #Handlungsfähig campaign, led by the municipal association, is advocating for increased and more predictable financial support from the federal and state governments, beyond temporary compensation or grants. They are also calling for reform of municipal financing laws to enable municipalities to generate sufficient own revenues and reduce dependence on state aid. Greater flexibility in areas such as taxation and borrowing is also demanded to allow municipalities to actively manage their finances.
Investment in digitalization and administrative modernization to improve efficiency and reduce long-term costs is another key demand of the campaign. Recognition of the growing responsibilities and cost burdens placed on local governments, including social services and infrastructure maintenance, is also crucial. The municipal association, along with its members, is advocating for sustainable financial and structural reforms with the action #HandlungsfähigWerden.
The article on this pressing issue has been published in Staatsanzeiger. The municipal association has reported on this issue, stressing the need for cities to have a future due to the urgent need for sustainable financial and structural reforms. Ralf Bross, in a poignant statement, warns that soon the last superlatives for the current financial distress will be exhausted. The #Handlungsfähig campaign is a testament to the resilience and determination of German municipalities in the face of financial adversity, and their unwavering commitment to securing a sustainable future for their cities and communities.
Businesses and politics must collaborate to provide sufficient financial support to municipalities, as the ongoing #Handlungsfähig campaign advocates. The campaign, led by the municipal association, emphasizes the need for increased and more predictable financial backing, along with reform of municipal finance laws to enable cities to generate their own revenues. Moreover, the campaign demands greater flexibility in areas such as taxation and borrowing to empower municipalities to manage their finances effectively.
