宮城県に財政支援要請　市町村長会議、税収減を憂慮

Request for financial support from Miyagi Prefecture, meeting of mayors, concerned about tax revenue reduction

    Miyagi Prefectural Municipal Mayors' Meeting was held at a hotel in Sendai city on the 3rd, and opinions were exchanged centering on measures against new coronavirus infectious diseases. The mayor requested the financial support for the municipalities whose tax revenue is expected to decrease drastically, in addition to the management support for the hospitals in anticipation of the second wave. Governor Yoshihiro Murai indicated that he would consider management support for hospitals.

     The Prefectural Mayors' Association and the Prefectural Municipal Association requested a total of 13 items, including support for hospitals with severe management for infectious diseases and expansion of fever outpatients. We proposed the establishment of a specialized department within the prefectural office, in case the number of infected people increases again. Mr. Yasushi Ito, Mayor Osaki, pointed out, "Based on the lessons learned from the first wave and lessons learned, it is necessary to cooperate with the municipalities in steps such as infection prevention measures and expansion of the inspection system."

    Due to the stagnation of the local economy in Corona, the reduction of public utility charges, etc., it is inevitable that the tax revenue will decrease in municipalities. Mayor Satoru Minamisanriku said, "We are responding by retiring the fiscal adjustment fund, but we are concerned that the decrease in tax revenue will affect next year as well."

    According to the view that the spread of infection in the metropolitan area and the promotion of telework will lead to the relocation of companies to rural areas. Governor Murai introduced a subsidy project to promote the relocation of satellite offices and production bases in the prefecture, and expressed his willingness to say, "It's an opportunity for companies to go to rural areas.

Source: https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/a14f59033c8a6953576d6e4dd3a37c7f16f96d0f