Parliament - Parliamentarians want to pass supplementary budget
In the Hessian Landtag, the agenda for the upcoming week includes the passage of the supplementary budget for 2024. CDU, SPD, and FDP also aim to enable the operation of automated mini-markets without personnel on Sundays. Additionally, the Constituent Committee for the investigation into earlier Corona politics is set to be established. The Hessian Parliament in Wiesbaden meets from Tuesday to Thursday.
In the proposed supplementary budget, which is an update to the annual budget, approximately 39 billion Euros in expenditures are planned. Given tax shortfalls and the strengthening of the state bank, a new borrowing of over 2.8 billion Euros is intended. Finance Minister Alexander Lorz (CDU) warned in June, "The golden years of financial politics, during which abundant tax revenues created a financial leeway for many new political initiatives, are, for the time being, a thing of the past."
Criticism
The opposition has sharply criticized the budget proposal. The Parliamentary Leader of the Greens, Miriam Dahlke, warned in June that the budget would lead Hessen into a fiscal crisis. The red-green state government is setting false priorities, for example, with "expensive, ineffective, and unfair election gifts" like the Hessengeld for supporting the purchase of the first four square meters. The supplementary budget is scheduled to be passed next Thursday (11. July).
At the same time, CDU, SPD, and FDP aim to pave the way for the Sunday opening of mini-markets with automated sales and no staff. The draft legislation proposes that such sales areas can only be up to 120 square meters in size and can only offer goods for daily needs.
"Mental Uplift"
The new regulation is expected to take effect soon this summer. The proponents argue that it strengthens the rural areas. Critics, however, speak of interventions in the protection of Sundays, which should remain a day of "mental uplift."
The background of the debate is, in part, a ruling by the Hessian Administrative Court, which upheld the city of Fulda's order to close unmanned "Tegut Teo" sales outlets on Sundays. In response, the red-green state government pushed for an exception.
The Alliance for a Free Sunday Hessen, a coalition of religious organizations and the trade union Verdi, told the German Press Agency that they would check after the passage of the legislation if their statements had been taken into account. If not, they would consider filing a lawsuit.
Dispute over the Investigative Committee
During the constituent meeting of the Corona Investigative Committee to examine the Corona politics in Hessen on Wednesday (10. July), formal questions will be addressed, such as who will be the chairman, deputy, and rapporteur. The largest opposition faction, the AfD, managed to secure the committee's establishment. CDU, SPD, Greens, and FDP, however, reduced the investigative mandate from 36 to only seven points due to constitutional concerns.
A spokesperson for the AfD told the dpa that their faction is sticking to their announcement to file a lawsuit at the Hessian Constitutional Court: "We are in the preparation stage." Paul Glauben, an expert on investigative committee laws, recently told the dpa that an AfD lawsuit would have no staying effect regarding the seven points deemed constitutional by the new parliamentary body. The first investigative committee of this legislative period can therefore begin its work.
The establishment of the investigation committee is set to take place on Wednesday, examining Corona politics in Hesse. Alexander Lorz, Finance Minister of the CDU, has noted the end of the 'golden years' of financial politics. The opposition criticizes the supplementary budget, with Greens leader Miriam Dahlke warning of a fiscal crisis. The budget is scheduled for passage next Thursday. The proposal aims to allow automated mini-markets to operate on Sundays, with the CDU, SPD, and FDP proposing limiting sales areas and permitted items. This change is expected to strengthen rural areas but faces criticism for interfering with Sunday protection. Following the passage of the legislation, the Alliance for a Free Sunday Hessen may consider filing a lawsuit. The constituent meeting of the Corona Investigation Committee on Wednesday will address formal questions such as leadership roles and mandate reductions. Despite constitutional concerns, the AFD has announced they will file a lawsuit at the Hessian Constitutional Court.
