I live there, I pay: “realistic” compromise for supporters of the counter-project

The center, the green’liberals (PVL) and the PLR ​​agree with the principle of “I live there, I pay”. The initiative of the UDC proposes that the municipal tax, taken partly instead of domicile and partly instead of work, is only at the place of domicile.

However, these parties are opposed to the initiative, which would dig “inadmissible” the difference in income between the rich municipalities which welcome few jobs, and those less favored or which, like cities, assume many charges – social, sporting, cultural …

Consequently, these training courses defend, with a view to the vote of May 18, the “realistic” counter-project adopted by the Grand Council and developed by the Association of Geneva Communes (ACG).

This accompanies the abolition of the tax in the workplace of a overhaul by 2029 of inter-municipal financial equalization. And this, “so as not to put in difficulty of the municipalities”, according to the president of the PLR, Pierre Nicollier.

A UFO

These parties deem imperative to put an end to the “UFO unique in Switzerland and even in the world” of the Geneva system, according to the deputy of the Center Sébastien Desfayes. “It is an anomaly to pay your taxes in a commune where you do not have the right to vote,” says Aurélien Barakat, president of the PVL.

Really? The left is that the taxes of the cross -border workers go well to the canton where they work. “It is practice all over the world and it has nothing to do with municipal taxation,” sweeps Sébastien Desfayes.

He also dismisses the “intention trial” made by the left, according to which the counter-project would also lead to a transfer of income from the poor communes to the rich municipalities. “In accordance with the will of the legislator, financial flows will not be significantly impacted by the reform,” promises Sébastien Desfayes.

And if the cities should not be there, it will be possible to launch a referendum, adds Pierre Nicollier.

So what is the interest of such a project? It is a question of simplifying an equalization “out of breath” by editing it “on a democratic principle”. “She has become an incomprehensible and not very transparent mille-feuille,” said Aurélien Barakat.

Because the layers have accumulated: to the general contribution of the contributory municipalities are added a contribution for the city of Geneva as a city center, the fund for early childhood, that for homelessness or that to compensate for the abolition of the professional tax.

“And in any case it will be necessary to review the equalization in view of the transfers of charges provided for by the law on culture”, adds Pierre Nicollier.

“Avoid the worst”

Even the green Alfonso Gomez, vice-president of the ACG and silverier in the city of Geneva, insisted Faced with the tax committee On a equalization today “out of breath”, our interlocutors note. They insist: it is unanimously that ACG endorsed the counter-project proposed to the Grand Council. Contacted, Alfonso Gomez specifies that “it was to avoid the worst”. Personally, he calls double no on May 18.

The Grand Council wanted a period of five years to materialize the constitutional change. It’s too long for the UDC. Too short for the municipalities. This period is not binding, nuance Sébastien desfayes, however convinced “that we will quickly lead to a much simpler project”.

Jean-Pierre Pasquier, PLR administrative advisor in ONEX, notes that his municipality receives 14 million with the current equalization. Personally, he is not afraid that she loses feathers with the counter-project, because the law of application will have to take into account the role of urban centers, the development of public infrastructure or even the structure of population and businesses.

Another advantage: “equalization would provide mechanisms encouraging inter -municipal collaborations.”

Golds Armasios is a journalist at the Geneva section since August 2022 and covers cantonal policy in particular.More info

Did you find an error? Please report it to us.

0 comments