Session Profile: Helmen Kütt
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
2024-11-20
Political Position
The focus is on the transparency of tax legislation and the clarity of criteria concerning tax exemptions for donations, while strongly supporting aid efforts for Ukraine. It also advocates for solving social issues, particularly improving student access to livelihood support benefits. These positions are firmly rooted in policy and procedure, emphasizing the necessity of non-emotional decision-making.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The expertise is clear in the areas of tax law (specifically citing the Income Tax Act, § 61, subsection 66) and social welfare (subsistence benefits). The individual employs specific legal jargon and references the opinions of the Chancellor of Justice, demonstrating a profound understanding of the challenges associated with implementing the legislation. They also appear to be well-informed regarding the commission's operational procedures and past controversies.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is formal, respectful, and focused on questions, addressing the esteemed presiding officer and the rapporteur. It emphasizes a logical and criterion-based approach, demanding that decisions not be made based on emotion. It expresses moderate emotional tension, referencing shame concerning previous unresolved issues (the Slava Ukraini case).
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
Active in plenary sessions, repeatedly posing detailed questions to the rapporteurs of draft legislation and demanding clarification of previous responses. He/She actively participates in the work of the committee, referencing the debates held there and the explanations provided.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The criticism focuses on procedural deficiencies and a lack of transparency (specifically, the absence of criteria for compiling the tax exemption list). It expresses strong dissatisfaction over the failure to resolve previous scandals (such as Slava Ukraini), which has brought shame upon everyone. It demands that the commission initiate a discussion to prevent future individual decisions based purely on emotion.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker refers to an issue raised by a colleague (deskmate), demonstrating awareness of and support for the concerns of fellow colleagues. While open to the commission’s explanations, he/she simultaneously requires the commission to initiate a discussion aimed at establishing criteria.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is heavily on international aid issues (assisting Ukraine) and national social and tax policy. Regional or local focus is absent.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Supports the use of tax policy to incentivize charitable giving, while demanding clear criteria for the tax-exempt status of donations. It views tax exemption as a tool to increase the overall volume of aid provided, particularly for organizations assisting Ukraine.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Strong support for improving social welfare, especially concerning the accessibility of subsistence benefits for students. It is considered important to solve the problem where young people up to the age of 24 could not receive support if their parents failed to formalize the application or if family relationships were severed.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The main legislative priorities include amendments to the Income Tax Act regarding the criteria for the tax exemption of donations, and improvements to the Social Welfare Act. [The government/committee] supports an amendment that addresses the issue of the availability of subsistence benefits, a problem previously raised by the Chancellor of Justice.
3 Speeches Analyzed