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Budget agreement reached

Erna Solberg22
On saturday morning the 4 coalition partners came to an agreemnt on the govenments fiscal budget for 2017, just in time before the financial debate in Parliament. The basic demand from the Right wing " motorist package '' remains intackt, but the Liberal Party and Christian Democratic Party  negotiated a number of new measures that moves the budget in greener direction. ''We believe we submitted all time greenest budget, but it has now become even greener'', said prime minister Solberg. The budget agreement has the potential for substantial greenhouse gas emissions cuts in 2017. Up to  662,500 tons of CO2 equivalents, as opposed to the original budget estimate of 200,000 tons.

Some of the major ''green'' changes are

  • Establishment of a  CO2 fund to strengthen the private sector's efforts to reduce emissions.
  • Environmentally friendly cars will be cheaper.
  • A flat CO2 tax will be introduced.
  • There will be a requirement of 20 percent biofuel mix.
  • A climate bill will be establised, based on Britain's bill . 
  • All major ports in Norway will have on-shore electrical power from for visiting cruise ships
  • Increased focus on carbon capture and storage (CCS).
  • Increased ''wreck return'' on older fossil fuelled cars if replaced  environment-friendly cars

Other changes relating to childrem family and education include

  • More resources allocated to combat violence against children.
  • 500 new student ICT and 300 new student housing.
  • The investigation of violence against children is strengthened .
  • Earmarked resources for medical examinations of violence and abused children families.
  • More resources to the NCIS Section of sexual offenses, Internet-related offenses against children and youth.
  • School health services will be boosted.
  • Increased resources for staffing in kindergaten.
  • There will be increased teacher density from 1 to 4.
  • The fight against child poverty will also be strengthened, both with fresh funds and pilot projects with free nursery / SFO in more municipalities.
  • An increase of 25%, to 61.120,- nok/month disposable allowance for parents who have children without having earned the right to parental benefits
  • Increase in to 7.500,- for all-year-olds.

Source. The Norway Post, NRK, Aftenposten

Budgetary disagreements on overtime


The political coalition government saved last years budget by agreement on a tax reorganization in 2017, providing "significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions."  Already weeks before the state budget was submitted,
the Government presented the proposal for green tax shift with increases in petrol and diesel taxes by 15 and 35 øre. Compensatory measures was to be annual fees, higher deduction for commuters and lower higway tarrifs, ensuring
that motorists collectively came oyt even or better.  Meanwhile, the government made it clear that this was as far as they were willing to go. The Left and Christian Democrats believe the proposal is not even close to living
up to the budget agreement, demanding that the partners also negotiate about this part of the state budget. The deadline for the 2017 budget was November 24'th. The coaltion partners need to
agree on the budget by Desember 5'th, when it is to be discussed and voted on.

Norwegian Prime Minister congratulates Donald Trump

Erna Solberg22 I want to congratulate Donald Trump with the victory in the presidential election. The US is our closest ally and our cooperation is based on shared values and interests.
We want a good partnership with Donald Trump and his administration once it is in place, says Prime Minister Erna Solberg. At a press conference today the Prime Minister said that Norway through changing times and administrations has given priority to cooperation with the US.
This Will continue. Close cooperation between Europe and the United States are important elements of Norwegian foreign and security policy, she said. We quickly want to go into dialogue with the incoming administration. The Government considers it important to safeguard Norwegian interests. USA is important for the Norwegian economy, Norwegian jobs and security, said the Prime Minister. International Community is facing challenges and we need US leadership in many demanding issues that the international community must resolve together,
she says.
Press release Prime Minister's Office

''TV- Aksjonen'' - NRK Teleton fundraising 2016

rodekors halvmone
The NRK Telethon is the largest information campaign and fundraising event in Norway. With the funds from this years Telethon, The Norwegian Red Cross will provide crucial aid to civilians caught behind the front lines of war and conflict. The NRK Teleton is a national voluntary effort.

Possible submarine in Norwegian waters

ubåt forsvaret
T
he crew of a Norwegian fishing boat yesterday gave notice of a posible encounter with an alien submarine a few miles West of Bodoe. The millitary sent out the maritime surveillance plane P3 Orion searching.

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