Last stop: Warsaw subway extension threatened by lack of funds in 2001

"Warsaw is threatened with a decrease in revenues next year and it is not known if there will be sufficient money for constructing the subway," said Warsaw president Pawel Piskorski. The government plans to spend zl. 1 billion for regional contracts in all 16 voivods, Warsaw needs zl. 750 million alone just to extend the subway to Dworzec Gdanski. Due to a new bill, which will be introduced Jan. 1, 2001, Warsaw can lose up to 60% of revenues from local taxes. Warsaw had zl. 600 million in revenues from this source this year and the total revenue for Warsaw is estimated to be zl. 1.9 billion. Warsaw officials are demanding to vote through a bill, which would regulate revenues. Gminas around Warsaw would then contribute 75% to the budget instead of 50%. (Rzeczpospolita, page B5) M.M.