Left party submits referendum against tax reform in Ticino
Published: Friday, Feb 9th 2024, 10:40
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An alliance of left-wing parties and trade unions submitted a referendum against the cantonal tax reform in Bellinzona on Friday. The reform, which was passed by the Grand Council in December, provides for tax reductions for the rich and is causing a great deal of anger in the southern canton due to the simultaneous savings targets for cantonal staff.
Immediately after the vote in the Ticino parliament last December, the SP and the Greens announced the launch of a referendum.
Now the committee "Stop ai tagli" - "Stop the austerity cuts" - has submitted the referendum. More than 10,000 signatures have been collected, explained the SP Ticino at the request of the Keystone-SDA news agency.
The committee, which has organized numerous demonstrations against the austerity measures imposed by the government in recent months, is reaffirming its opposition to the reform with this step, it writes in a communiqué.
Revenue shortfall due to tax reform
It is not acceptable that people with a monthly salary of over 30,000 francs receive tax gifts while the cuts in the 2024 budget weaken the public sector.
The tax reform passed by parliament will lead to a reduction in revenue of CHF 96 million in Ticino. CHF 50 million of this is attributable to the canton and CHF 46 million to the municipalities.
After a debate lasting around 17 hours, the cantonal parliament approved the delayed 2024 budget on Wednesday. It still contains numerous cost-cutting measures, but the left-wing party was able to overturn the planned salary reduction of two percent for annual salaries of CHF 60,000 or more for cantonal employees from the budget with the help of the center. For the time being, however, public sector employees will not receive any compensation for inflation.
©Keystone/SDA
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