Residents advocate for fiscal restraint over tax hikes

In the historic city of Lübeck, concerns over the financial situation have been mounting. The fiscal health of the city has been described as worrying, with citizens expecting spending discipline instead of tax increases.

Thorsten Fürter, the leader of the FDP faction, has stated that Lübeck's problem is not one of income, but rather expenditure. He argues that raising taxes demonstrates a lack of willingness to save, and that across-the-board cuts can help avoid difficult discussions about the savings contribution of individual areas.

Mayor Jan Lindenau, who presented the draft of the city budget, has proposed several savings measures. These include reducing the subsidy for the Travemünde Week and cuts to the budget agreements for social facilities. If Mayor Lindenau proposes to cut the grants for the factions by ten percent, this could serve as a model for other budget positions.

These savings proposals are partly adopted ideas that the FDP faction has been advocating for months. The faction has expressed concern over the draft budget presented by Mayor Lindenau, citing the need for a clear focus on expenditure control to put Lübeck's finances back on a solid foundation in the long term.

The city's financial problems have been attributed to uncontrolled staff growth, a problem that has been pointed out for years. A multi-year break in staff expansion is needed in Lübeck. However, despite low interest rates and flourishing tax revenues, no one listened to warnings about staff growth.

The current deficit in Lübeck is not sustainable. New staff requirements should only be approved if they are reduced elsewhere. The discussion on tax increases, especially the introduction of a bed tax, is met with skepticism. Many families find it difficult to afford vacations, and new tax burdens are not part of the solution.

Adding to the concerns, Mayor Lindenau is applying for additional posts, which undoes his own consolidation steps. This has raised questions about the city's commitment to fiscal discipline.

In conclusion, the financial situation in Lübeck requires urgent attention. Hope for fundamental changes in the framework conditions will not solve the problems. The city needs to focus on expenditure control and make tough decisions to ensure a sustainable financial future.