- The top SPD figure advocates for increased financial commitment.
ANDY, the head honcho of SPD in the state, pushes for boosted investments in residential building development, even if it means borrowing money. "We gotta think about if the state ain't got the guts to dive deeper into the housing construction scene - and possibly go beyond what our present budget can handle," Andy told the German Press Agency in Stuttgart. He's also the big cheese in the state parliament's parliamentary group.
The construction sector's currently in a right pickle, Andy stated. "Our folks and skilled workers need homes right now, and we're running low on these. And construction activity's gotta keep rolling to keep construction firms afloat and keep jobs alive in the construction biz." That's why the state needs to chip in some cash. "Preferably from our pocket change. If that's not enough, we gotta brainstorm other funding methods."
KRESCHMANN proposes special funds for hydrogen and rail
Andy's reacting to a call for action by the state's boss, Winfried Kreschmann (Greens). He suggested recently that urgent investments in infrastructure need special funds. "We need the power to create a special fund from loans that can only be used for particular investment purposes," Kreschmann told the German Press Agency. He cited the construction of a hydrogen network as an example, which needs sortin' out quick.
"We're barely hatchin' green hydrogen these days, it's still a hope for the future. But it's a certainty that it's comin'. Then you gotta build these networks, and whoever doesn't got 'em is gonna get whacked by massive competitive disadvantages," Kreschmann said. But since we ain't seein' meaningful amounts of green hydrogen for another ten years, we ain't makin' back our investment dough for that long. "That's why we need the chance to take out loans that can be repaid over a reasonable time frame."
Andy: Also look at the state
Kreschmann also brought up the rail network as another example. "The traffic light coalition inherited a massive maintenance backlog 'cause no one's been puttin' money into it for years. You can't fix that with just one budget," the state boss said.
Andy wants Kreschmann to pony up special funds for the state as well. "The state boss should stop pointin' fingers at everyone else on this topic, but he should also take a good look at the state of Baden-Württemberg, for which he's politically responsible, and consider what he could do with such an instrument," Andy said. In his opinion, Baden-Württemberg needs to set up a fund to kickstart significant infrastructure projects as well.
Andy suggests exploring budgetary adjustments for infrastructure projects: "If the state's present budget cannot accommodate boosted investments in residential building development, we might need to explore budgetary adjustments to make room for such ventures."
Kreschmann's proposal for special funds stretches beyond hydrogen and rail: "Andy's suggestion to use special funds for infrastructure projects is commendable, but Kreschmann's proposal extends further, potentially incorporating these funds for other pressing needs like addressing the state's massive rail network maintenance backlog."
