NRW state parliament debates 2024 budget
The North Rhine-Westphalian state parliament is debating the black-green state government's draft budget for 2024 today (10.00 a.m.). The fundamental debate is also likely to be influenced by the federal budget crisis following the Federal Constitutional Court's budget ruling.
Around two weeks ago, the Karlsruhe court declared a reallocation of 60 billion euros in the 2021 federal budget to be unconstitutional and null and void. The federal government is therefore not allowed to use funds intended to combat the coronavirus crisis for climate protection.
Several planned transformation projects in NRW are now also hanging in the balance financially due to the ruling. However, according to an initial assessment by State Finance Minister Marcus Optendrenk (CDU), the ruling will not have a direct impact on the NRW state government's budgetary practice.
The 2024 draft budget is characterized by tighter financial leeway for the black-green state government. Nevertheless, the state's total expenditure is still set to reach a record 102 billion euros, with more than 38 billion euros earmarked for education alone. The final third reading of the budget bill is scheduled for mid-December.
The state parliament's debate on the 2024 budget may need to consider the impact of the Federal Constitutional Court's ruling on household finances, as some NRW transformation projects' funding is now uncertain. The black-green state government's strict financial plan for 2024, aiming to reduce expenditure, shows a conscious effort to manage household finances efficiently.
Source: www.dpa.com
