Bologna – “One hundred million euros to consolidate growth and development of Emilia-Romagna. With more funds for local public transport, but also for rent support and educational and childcare services, as well as for access to school and training activities. And more resources for health, starting with healthcare construction, but also to increase the regional fund for non-self-sufficiency which in 2024 will impact the regional budget by over 560 million euros, reaching over 600 million in the following two years. And again, further resources to go beyond the essential levels of assistance (Lea), which Emilia-Romagna guarantees to the highest level in the country, adding new services to those ensured by the regional health service. And, finally, more funds for culture, for marketing and tourism promotion projects and for major sporting events, together with those of regional and local importance”.
These are the priorities of the first change in the 2024 Budget, defined by the Regional Council and which will be brought to the Legislative Assembly for approval next week. The maneuver is part of the Region’s 2023 financial statement which, together with an operating result of over 1.2 billion euros, records the breaking-even of the healthcare budgets as well as the elimination of previous deficits, again in the healthcare sector , dating back to 2011. The Region has remodeled and reduced some expenses and consequently financed further interventions. This is thanks to the adjustment of revenue forecasts, lower expenses for the reduction of interest expense on cash advances, and the updating of resources allocated to covering mortgage amortization costs. “Thanks to the accounts in order – underline the President of the Region, Stefano Bonaccini, and the Councilor for the Budget, Paolo Calvano – we are able to respond with additional resources to the needs of the regional community, without giving up sustainable growth that goes hand in hand step with social and territorial cohesion. Furthermore, the excellent 2023 financial statement, the very low level of debt, the good performance of tax revenues and the return of some revolving funds allow us to prepare a broad maneuver that aims to guarantee services in the current year, and at the same time to determine its strengthening for the years to come”.
The maneuver in summary – Continuity of services. With 35 million euros, the Regional Fund for non-self-sufficiency will be increased, covering contractual increases in the sector with 25 million and 10 million euros to mitigate the increase in tariffs for the weakest income groups, as per the signed agreement between the Region and the social partners: the intervention includes support for both the private social sector and the ASPs. Almost 19 million euros for additional financing for levels of assistance above the LEAs. With 13.6 million euros, reimbursements for blood transfusion recipients will be covered. Local public transport – buses and regional trains – free for students under 19. The ‘Salta SU’ project is also confirmed for the 2024-2025 school year, with a spending forecast for the first quarter, September-December 2024, of 14 million euros. Housing policies continue and are strengthened, adding 7 million euros to the 2 million fund already foreseen at the beginning of the year. Contractual increases and staff hiring to meet the needs of the May 2023 flood will be covered with approximately 10 million euros. Another 2.2 million for interventions aimed at facilitating access to and attendance at school and school activities training.
In line with what was established with the Pact for Work and the Climate, the implementation of European programming continues which sees the energy revolving fund refinanced for approximately 4 million and 12.5 million to complete the tourist, cultural and sports programming: in in particular, 1.8 million more have been allocated for financing and investments in the ski sector. Furthermore, the EIB special fund was strengthened to reduce the cost of financing for hospitality activities. A further 5.5 million for the promotion of major sporting events and events of regional and local importance, 3.9 million for the implementation of marketing and tourism promotion projects and more than 2.5 million for contributions and activities in the tourism sector culture. Further 1.3 million for transfers to the Provinces for redevelopment, modernization, development of the road network, 5 million for transfers to Atersir for the implementation of the environmental action plan for a sustainable future. Finally, 600 thousand euros to strengthen the fund for mountain unions and 500 thousand euros to support communities affected by hail and tornadoes. 10 million euros are allocated to the regional social fund for the implementation of the area plans.
