Local government debts account for 21% of revenues

In 2002 local governments' debts amounted to over zł. 16.7 billion and accounted for almost 21% of their revenues. Gminas, cities, poviats and voivodships closed last year with a deficit of zł. 3.1 billion - the same as the 2001 level. While preparing 2003 budgets, some local officials were paying more attention to their own, more stringent, levels of indebtness than those imposed by central government guidelines. "We are slowly moving away from the parliamentary indebtedness brackets, as we are modern cities willing to use ratios more appropriate to our situation," said Gdańsk City Treasurer Włodzimierz Pietrzak. This means they take into account mostly fixed revenues rather than incidental ones like selling communal assets. Furthermore, while preparing budgets, city officials first earmark money for servicing loans and then allocate funds for investments. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B7) M.M. Politics In Brief: Leszek Miller; Social Policy; Elections; Zbigniew PM Leszek Miller's testimony before the Rywin commission received a rather cold reception from the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD), which is slowly realizing the need to change its leadership. However, the dominant view among SLD deputies is that Miller may only leave after the EU referendum. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A4) ... Despite their numerous calls for justice, former soldiers and slave laborers under the Stalin regime have been unable to receive any positive reaction from the Sejm's Social Policy Commission. Now, with the public ombudsman beginning to show interest in the case, the 'stubborn' MPs may be more willing to act more ardently. Already, Anna Bańkowska of SLD has pledged to find a solution to the problem as quickly as possible. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A5) ... Some 38% of the public believe the SLD should push for earlier elections, and 24% think the ruling party should complete its term. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 5) ... Ryszard Czarnecki, the Minister for European Integration in Jerzy Buzek's cabinet has been dismissed from the position of Advisor for European Issues to the president of Włocławek for lack of results from his work. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 5) J.K.