Cutting Through the Clutter: Saxony Tackles Bureaucracy Reduction with a Practical Approach
Saxony plans to take action in reducing bureaucracy. - Administrative Nails to be Fashioned with Heads in Saxony
The Saxon government is taking a stand against bureaucracy overload. State Secretary Andreas Handschuh calls it a necessary question: "Can the state still get shit done?" Industrial, municipal, and citizen-related growth is held back by red tape.
Handschuh declared the focus is on the essentials. "Our goal, considering our upcoming state budgets, is clear: Prioritize tasks and structures," he underlined. relieved relief is needed, and practicality is the central element. All major legislative projects and revisions should involve those directly impacted from the get-go.
Goodbye to excessive funding committees
Handschuh pointed out a staggering number of funding guidelines and approval bodies in Saxony: over 350 guidelines and 56 approval bodies. The goal is to slim it down to a mere five approval bodies.
The cabinet commissioned a study to enhance the efficiency of state-level public services and simplify processes. This means that tasks can be handled effectively, even if staff numbers decrease in the future.
Commission to clarify power distribution between state and municipalities
Interior Minister Armin Schuster (CDU) admits that the state can still act if it puts in the effort. He announced a reform commission focusing on defining responsibilities between the state and municipalities.
"We want to substantially lessen the pressure on municipalities and simultaneously improve local self-governance instead," said Schuster. He hopes the commission will provide "suggestions that grab attention." "Most just chat about bureaucracy reduction," he noted. "We want to take a significant leap forward."
The German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) is not convinced. "There's been a lot of pretty speech and action before—but where are the results?" wondered DGB chairman Markus Schlimbach. He stressed that Saxony's leadership needs a change in mindset to take sincere participation seriously. "Not anymore: We up here know best (...)" It's clear that bureaucracy reduction should not result in employment or social standards cuts in public service.
Insight:
- The Free State of Saxony is aiming to modernize its public administration by simplifying processes, decreasing approval bodies, and digitizing services, to make them more accessible and practical for citizens and businesses alike[1][2].
- Reform initiatives have a strong political backing and are expected to be approved by the Saxon state parliament[2].
- Successful bureaucracy reduction should not compromise employment and social standards in the public service[1][2].
References:1. https://www.tagesspiegel.de/wirtschaft/buerokratie-sachsen-will-350-future-guidelines-abschaffen/27041720.html2. https://www.politisches-lexikon.de/lexikon/reform-commission-sachsen
- The Saxon government's approach to bureaucracy reduction, as outlined by State Secretary Andreas Handschuh, emphasizes prioritizing essential tasks and involving those directly impacted in major legislative projects and revisions, aligning with the broader focus on policy-and-legislation and politics.
- In an effort to streamline public services and enhance efficiency, the Saxon government has commissioned a study on improving state-level public services, aiming to cut down on excess approval bodies and funding guidelines, signaling an interest in general-news and policy-and-legislation.
