Mikser: New State Budget Creates Gap Between State, Citizens

The next year’s state budget, which passed in Parliament on December 7, is pushing the state further away from its citizens, said Sven Mikser, chairman of the opposition’s Social Democratic Party.

Mikser said the state is investing money only to receive praise from Brussels, often leaving its own people in the dark. He added that as a result people start seeking better opportunities abroad.

The coalition did not support the ideas proposed by the opposition during the drafting of the budget, said Mikser.

According to him, the Social Democrats wanted to triple the current 19-euro child benefit, provide more student aids in universities together with increasing the salaries of grade school teachers.

The 2012 state budget, based on the 3 percent growth scenario, passed in Parliament yesterday by a vote of 55-44. Spending in the social sector will increase by 10 percent.

http://news.err.ee/Politics/97dbd303-e21e-43d4-986c-e16efed34a31