The government appointed the inquiry last autumn with the aim of proposing measures to counteract tax increases in municipalities and regions.
"We believe that municipalities and regions need to become better at increasing their efficiency. Instead of raising taxes, we should look at how to achieve a more efficient organization," says Minister of Civil Service Erik Slottner (KD).
Holding back
In addition to a fee for those who raise taxes, the inquiry proposes that municipalities and regions that instead lower taxes should receive a subsidy over three years. This involves a fee and subsidy of 25 percent in year one, 15 percent in year two, and 10 percent in year three.
According to the inquiry's proposal, municipalities and regions must also justify why they choose to increase taxes.
"There is currently resistance in both municipalities and regions to raising taxes. They are holding back tax increases. But there are also bad incentives to lower taxes," says Annika Wallenskog.
The inquiry points out, however, that there is a challenge with healthcare.
"This is where we have had the major cost increases, and we see that we should look at what the development costs are and what it means to limit tax collection in regions," says Wallenskog.
"Increases differences"
The member organization Swedish Local Authorities and Regions (SKR) fears that this will instead increase the differences in the country.
"First of all, this is not something that municipalities or regions do lightly. Of course, the work should be carried out as efficiently as possible and sometimes it is necessary," says Emelie Värja, chief economist at SKR, about possible tax increases.
The Left Party believes that "the government's intention with the inquiry is deeply provocative."
"It is Svantesson who has raised taxes in regions and municipalities, because they have not provided sufficient state subsidies to maintain the level of welfare," says Ida Gabrielsson, economic policy spokesperson, in a written comment to TT.
John Hassler, professor of economics at Stockholm University, believes that the proposals could reduce the risk of municipalities choosing tax rates that are too high. However, he adds that it means a limitation on municipal self-determination.
"From an economic perspective, this cannot be dismissed as a clearly bad proposal," he says.
