Overview
- The opposition caucus submitted about 40 changes to the 2026 state budget, steering nearly €570 million toward education, affordable housing, public transport, climate programs and support for municipalities.
- The education package seeks €116 million in 2026 to improve early-childhood educator training, equip students from grade 7 with digital devices and ease pressure on universities facing savings.
- The housing plan includes €50 million more this year and a €300 million equity increase over six years for the state-backed Nassauische Heimstätte to accelerate new construction.
- The Greens propose €30 million in additional operating support for transport associations as new routes and vehicles come online, aiming to avert service cuts and deteriorating quality.
- The financing mix would scrap Hessengeld, reduce ministerial and state-secretary posts, introduce a groundwater “water cent” and strengthen tax collection, with the budget’s second reading next week and a March vote on a plan currently projecting €37.7 billion in revenue, €39.6 billion in spending and €1.6 billion in new borrowing.