DavidJackson.info

Grinan has promised us higher taxes for high earners (people earning over 80,000€ a year), higher taxes on luxury transport means (I already own a quad and have no interest in a jet ski), higher taxes on banks and cajas (hey, why not?) and a new tax on plastic bags, expected to be 0,10€ a bag.

There are also a whole raft of “green taxes” being announced, such as a rate increase tax applicable to radioactive waste, which will be of 7,000 to 10,000 euros per cubic meter of waste of low and medium activity, and a special tax on luxury transport vehicles, with a rate increase from 14.75 to 16 % for quads and jet skis, and from 12 to 13.2% for boats and recreational vessels. Hey, I already own a quad and have no interest in a jet ski.

Along with this, Griñán indicated that Andalusia will implement a “green tax”, already existing in communities such as Madrid, Asturias, Catalonia, Galicia, Valencia and Castilla la Mancha, with the following rates applicable in the regional section of the tax on retail sales of hydrocarbons: 24 euros per 1,000 liters for gasoline, diesel and kerosene for general use: two euros per 1,000 liters for special uses diesel and heating, and one euro per ton for fuel oil.

There will also be a fuss over those who commit tax fraud, and Grinan has promised a crackdown on benefits granted by the region  to those who don´t need them.

Again, people, Spain has a “submerged economy” equivalent to at least 20% of GDP. You want to raise income, stop faffing about annoying people who already pay taxes, and go after the black money. Of course, politicians can´t admit this as they would then have to admit the true scale of the black economy, something ZP resolutely refuses to talk about at any point.

The Guardia Civil have announced that they will be reducing planned traffic controls, mainly breathlyser and drug tests, in an effort to reduce costs, after pressure from the Ministry of the Interior about their fuel bill.

Officers have also been asked to send sms instead of calling on mobiles. The soon to be announced rise in IVA is to blame, it seems. Gas guzzling 4×4′s are also to be reduced.

Finally, Mojacar´s dream of reducing police controls in the municipality have come true.

Luis Rogelio Rodríguez-Comendador, mayor of Almeria, has promised a “spectacular” 2009, in which more money than ever before will be poured into the city. With a once off capital injection of 33 million euros from Madrid, plus 31 million reinvestment from the town hall and the Junta de Andalucia, plus the usual annual budget, the mayor promises a year in which roads will be reformed, infrastructure improved and the city given a unique facelift.

Project mooted include putting the Ronda road underground from Pabellon Moises Ruiz to the Estacion Intermodal (allowing quick access from the Med Stadium to the bottom centre of the city), making the centre of the city a much more pedestrian friendly area, new fair area, improved roads and access and public transport.