There are some bright spots, but mostly shadows, in the opinions on the Budget Bill being examined by the Regional Council. The first of two days of hearings on the text approved by the Todde Administration concluded in the Budget Committee, with employers' associations and representatives of the credit system present.
A budget of over €11 billion, but highly technical with minimal manageable resources. "There is, however, an important underlying message," according to Banco di Sardegna Director General Mauro Maschio, "namely, the desire to support businesses and enterprises to create opportunities for Sardinians to stay." Anticipation is widespread, however, for the announced second budget, which will include new resources from the revenue dispute. Meanwhile, criticism is pouring in on this budget, which the majority still aims to approve by December 31st : "It's clear," said Federalberghi Sardegna President Paolo Manca, "that to boost economic growth, we need bold decisions, and yet this budget still seems to be rather restrictive and functional."
The Regional Council's Third Committee (Budget), chaired by Alessandro Solinas (M5S), today heard representatives from CGIL, CISL, UIL, and UGL. They all expressed appreciation for the resolution of the dispute with the state over tax revenue.
"The resources available in the Budget Law are limited. We hope that the priorities highlighted by the union will be addressed in the planning of the funds made available by the revenue agreement," said CGIL regional secretary Nicola Cabras. "In any case, we await possible improvements based on our requests," he added, "also with the hope that the installment plan can be renegotiated to ensure full availability of the funds within a short timeframe and to truly plan actions to revitalize Sardinia's economic and social system."
According to UIL Sardegna general secretary Fulvia Murru, "the regional budget law must be finalized by December, without excuses, to ensure certainty for municipalities, workers, citizens, and pensioners. This is a political responsibility that cannot be postponed. At the same time, we need a clear political choice and planning that already considers the next budget, avoiding fragmented and visionless interventions." "This budget," Murru emphasizes, "must be up to the challenges facing Sardinia : a healthcare system in serious difficulty, the prevalence of low-income and precarious work, areas that continue to depopulate, inadequate transportation, a declining industry, serious problems in school construction, and a tourism industry that is still fragile and excessively seasonal."
For the CISL, General Secretary Pier Luigi Ledda acknowledged "the effort made by the budget on healthcare, and some measures are a step in the right direction," he clarified. "But there is still a lack of full consistency with the commitments made in the August protocol, especially regarding the structural strengthening of public healthcare. The key issue is staffing: without a stable hiring and professional development plan, waiting lists will not be truly reduced, and consistent services across regional, inland areas, and cities will not be guaranteed."
Finally, UGL Secretary Nicola Contini expressed his hope for the budget's approval within the year: "We welcome the resolution of the revenue dispute; now the planning phase for new resources will be crucial. In healthcare, we expected greater courage, with the strengthening of local services and interventions for nursing homes and vulnerable individuals."