– I think that conclusion is very unfortunate. I think we must be able to take such measures to facilitate business, says mayor of Bø in Vesterålen Sture Pedersen to news. Today, the government-appointed committee submitted its report to Minister for Municipalities and Districts Sigbjørn Gjelsvik (Sp). It was the Solberg government that set up the committee at the time. The committee’s main conclusion is that the current system essentially works well, but suggests some changes. Among other things, they recommend that it should not be possible for municipalities to decide themselves to lower property tax below the maximum rate. It made headlines when Bø in Vesterålen in 2019 lowered the wealth tax from 0.8 to 0.35 per cent. This caused several kingdoms to report moving to the municipality. But if the possibility is maintained, the committee believes that it must be ensured that municipalities that reduce the rate do not receive compensation for this. – I agree with that. If we run a deficit, we have to cover it ourselves, says Pedersen. Want lower income tax throughout northern Norway Recently, Bø in Vesterålen ended up in the top three of the list of the country’s best governed municipalities in a report prepared by Agenda Kaupang. Sture Pedersen is mayor of Bø in Nordland. Photo: Lars-Bjorn Martinsen / news Pedersen does not want to say that their tax measures are the direct cause of this, but believes that tax advantages are important for attracting new residents. – We need to create more jobs in Northern Norway and then I would like a debate on a lower rate also on income tax. – But is it right that people in Northern Norway should have even more advantages than they already have? – I think it is needed now. If Svalbard did not have low taxes, there would not be so many people living there, claims Pedersen. But the tax committee will not allow municipalities to decide this themselves. – The tax rates for tax on income and wealth should be fixed rates. The municipalities should not have the opportunity to change these, states the Revenue System Committee. Power municipalities should share Out in the municipalities, there has been great excitement about the committee’s work. Many people are concerned about a more even distribution of income. Mayor Siri Martinsen (Ap) in Fredrikstad. Photo: Sara Vilde Solås / news – If we do not get a more even distribution between the municipalities, the differences in the population will increase further, says mayor Siri Martinsen (Ap) in Fredrikstad to Kommunal rapport. However, with the galloping electricity prices in the south, the gap between rich and poor municipalities has increased. The divide is between north and south, and between those municipalities that have income from power generation and those that do not. This is something the committee has noticed. – Many municipalities today have high income from hydropower, aquaculture funds and property tax on power and petroleum facilities. – These incomes are not included in the current equalization of incomes, and create large income differences between the municipalities, writes the committee in a press release. The committee believes that parts of these revenues should be included in an equalization scheme between the municipalities. Sture Pedersen has been mayor of Bø in Vesterålen for many years. Meet him as a portrait guest in the Lørdagsrevyen.
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Municipalities should not be allowed to lower property tax – news Nordland
