Majorca Daily Bulletin reporterPalma23/04/2016 00:00
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The distribution of revenue from the tourist tax per island was one of the issues that caused a delay to the approval of the tax legislation on account of disagreements between the government and Podemos. Now published, the law states that the objective will be for an "acceptable balance between the islands", with minimum and maximum amounts being set. Whereas it had seemed that Podemos had been lobbying for a distribution which - it was argued - would have been prejudicial to Majorca, the outcome is quite different: Majorca is set to receive almost three-quarters of the revenue.

The figures are: Majorca between 68.14% and 74.82%; Minorca from 10.68% to 14.03%; Ibiza 12.85% minimum and 15.99% maximum; Formentera 1.36% to 1.84%.

There are some days during which the text of the law could yet be refined, given that it has been put out for public consultation, but the principle will be for revenue to be distributed in a proportional manner related to the "weight" of each of the islands and the needs that each island has as priorities for receiving funding.

As to projects that the revenue will fund, any member of the commission overseeing its distribution will be able to make proposals. This commission, to be presided over by the tourism minister, Biel Barceló, has members from the government, the island councils, the town halls, unions, environmental groups and business. These proposals will need to be supported by explanations as to how they tie in with purposes foreseen for the tax revenue as well as by economic and legal feasibility studies and a schedule for their being undertaken.

Among criteria for selecting projects, the text of the law establishes that priority will be given to those that are submitted to a process of citizen participation.

The representation on the commission of non-governmental groups has led one such group - Asaja, the agricultural businesses association - to lobby for its inclusion. President Armengol told parliament last week that proposals from the agricultural sector will be taken into account, though there is no provision for any agricultural association to be represented.