President vetoes bills on increased family benefits bills and crisis management

President Kwasniewski yesterday vetoed bills on family tax relief and annual family benefits. The family tax relief bill proposed that each family with two children would save zl. 180 in tax payments next year and a family with three children - around zl. 250. Families which do not pay tax were to be authorized to an allowance equivalent to the tax relief. Both bills were to cost next year's budget almost zl. 1 billion. The President has also vetoed the bill on civil emergency and crisis management. It proposed merging the General Headquarters of the State Fire Service with the State Civil Protection for better co-operation during natural disasters. Kwasniewski did not sign this bill because its cost had not been estimated and, moreover - according to the President, it would be contradictory to the Constitution (it suggested suspending certain civil rights during crisis situations). The President will meet with the Cabinet Council next Tuesday to discuss solutions allowing for a supra-parties agreement. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p.16) K.K.