Agenda Profile: Mart Helme
First Reading of the Bill (217 SE) to Amend the Income Tax Act
2024-02-07
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary sitting.
Political Position
The political focus is on fiscal policy and tax reform, strongly supporting changes to income tax and VAT. The aim is to increase state treasury revenue by eliminating tax concessions. The policy framework is results-based, emphasizing that the potential revenue is significantly greater than the sum allocated by the government to teachers.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the field of taxation, citing the draft legislation for income tax and VAT amendments and the anticipated financial impact of eliminating exemptions. Specific magnitudes (5.7 million euros) are used within the budgetary context to highlight the potential revenue generated by the tax reform. The speaker asserts that state treasury revenue should increase through the elimination of these exemptions.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style of discourse is combative and critical, using strong emotional language (e.g., "spat in the face") regarding teacher funding. The appeal targets both logic (comparison with large tax revenues) and emotion. A rhetorical challenge is also presented to the common understanding of the sources of state funding.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
There is not enough data.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The criticism is directed towards the government or the opposition, who are responsible for the underfunding of teachers, which is described as "spitting in their faces." The backlash is intense and focuses on political failure and the missetting of priorities, especially in the context of 5.7 million euros.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speech refers to cooperation with colleagues ("We have done this") who were involved in drafting the income tax and VAT amendment bills. There is no indication of openness to compromise or cross-party collaboration.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is entirely on national themes, addressing the nationwide issue concerning state treasury revenues and teachers' pay.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic views support increasing state treasury revenues by eliminating income tax and VAT exemptions. It is emphasized that this potential revenue is significant, exceeding certain expenditures many times over. Furthermore, the notion that the state only possesses funds in the form of tax revenue is also challenged.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social issue is education and the insufficient funding of the teachers' salary fund, which is being viewed in a sharply negative light. The specific sum of 5.7 million euros is highlighted as an example of the government's lack of priorities.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently on tax reform, emphasizing draft bills concerning income tax and VAT amendments, which are specifically aimed at eliminating existing exemptions. The speaker is either an active initiator or a strong supporter of these changes, pointing out that a significant number of these specific bills have already been drawn up.
1 Speeches Analyzed