The mayors are rebiffent

They're big on the scarf. The concern of mayors of France face the challenges ahead in the coming months is palpable. Gathered at the Palais des Congrès de Paris for their annual conference, small new, elected last March, former cross. All are concerned about a future that looks difficult. Against a background of financial crisis and financial rout, the mayors of 36 000 common fear of suffering the brunt of the reform of local government, which the report must give Balladur in the first quarter of 2009 the outline. Foremost among the concerns is the reform of local taxation. The AMF reported on the difficulties faced by the municipalities and denounced the transfer charges imposed "more or less insidious" by the state, "most often without fair compensation." The total five billion released to the communities is certainly not enough to complete the 2008 budget to balance, warns Jacques Pélissard. The outgoing president, who is a candidate for his succession against Andre Laignel, intends to remain vigilant. "The allocations to municipalities are not variables budget adjustments of the state," he insisted, recalling in passing the economic role of investment made by communities. Vigilant but worried Called to exercise more and more responsibilities, elected officials are waiting with some trepidation the report's conclusions Balladur, who is working on the reform of communities. Among the topics for discussion, the possible disappearance of the level of department (or its rapprochement with the region), the development of inter and reforms of "maps" (military, judicial, hospital) keep the top of the poster. While all concerned to see the provision of public service as business tax melt in the sun is the "minimum service host" imposed on schools where teachers' strike which was beyond the assembly. And François Fillon has borne the brunt. Mounted the rostrum to deliver an educational message about what the government response to the crisis, the prime minister was elected by the whistle when he defended the law by Xavier Darcos. "The minimum service reception was voted and it responds to the legitimate demand of families," he assured before a meeting which then took arias Chamber dissipated. Jacques Pélissard had yet recalled: "The AMF has objected forcefully and with complete freedom to say that the mayors were not the substitute of Education." The tone is set. If they agree to play their role as loyal servants, not to act as docile as stewards of Paris.