Voice-SD: We've Brought €2 billion Worth of Investments and Jobs to Regions

Bratislava, November 8 (TASR) - Head of the parliamentary Voice-SD caucus Robert Puci on Friday claimed that Voice offers specific aid to local governments with the aim of facilitating their work and promoting development, and the measures have untied the hands of mayors in public procurement and brought investment and new jobs to regions worth more than €2 billion. Puci stated that the party regularly comes up with bills and amendments that affect life in towns and municipalities. One of these, according to Puci, is an amendment approved by Parliament on Thursday, which will delay the effective date on which the mechanical-biological treatment of waste will become mandatory by two years. "By doing so, we've given local governments the freedom to decide for what purpose they will invest their finances at a time of necessary consolidation, as an increase in waste charges will be affected by an increase in VAT alone," said Voice MP and Liptovsky Mikulas mayor Jan Blchac. The party also pointed to a planned increase in fees for the disposal of mixed and municipal waste, asking Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (an SNS nominee) to consider postponing the date on which this regulation will come into force. On Thursday, the opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) party voiced its concerns regarding the government's approach to resources for local governments. According to PS, the government's actions are hostile and insufficient in relation to the needs of towns and villages. In its opinion, the government is depriving them of money and forcing them to use their own reserves. zel/df