BdSt's 'Black Book' Highlights Tax Waste in Germany
The Federation of Taxpayers (BdSt) has published its annual 'Black Book', highlighting cases of tax waste by the best buy federal government and states. The report includes examples of poor spending decisions and abandoned projects, raising questions about the responsible use of citizens' tax payments.
In Siegburg, the city spent 15,000 euros on two railway wagons for a youth welfare project in 2022, but they have remained unused since then. Meanwhile, in Cologne, the timber-framed Thurner Hof, renovated in 2008 for around 800,000 euros, stands empty due to lack of funds for accessibility.
In NRW, a fence was built at the 'Am Waldrand' playground in Bonn in 2023 for 1,000 euros after safety concerns, but residents now demand its removal. In Bochum-Wattenscheid, a new sports hall costing 20 million euros has caused complaints due to visually confusing black and white wall cladding. The city rebuilt the wall for 48,000 euros, but cost reimbursement is uncertain.
The 'Kulturraffinerie K714' in Monheim am Rhein started with a budget of 28 million euros but ended up costing 156.5 million euros by 2024 due to multiple expansions and a new traffic concept. In Bonn, the city plans to build a 'staircase barrier' for 5,000 euros, raising questions about its practicality.
The BdSt's 'Black Book' serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible spending with taxpayers' money. These examples highlight the need for better planning, oversight, and communication to ensure that public funds are used effectively and efficiently.
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