La financiación de las comunidades autónomasbalance y propuestas de reforma

Abstract

This paperreviews the evolution of the financial system of Spain's autonomous communities and the problems which havearoused. It also suggests which are the general principles that should inspire a reform of such a system, so it will seek to improve the existing efficiency and equity, providing, at the same time, stability. It suggests that this reform should be based upon two basic principles. First, to differentiate the competence financing objective from that of closing up the development gap. Second, to divide the competence financing in two blocks; a primary one, focused of equity. The latter should be based on an explicit and widely accepted definition of equity. Moreover, it proposes that the reform would have to include an equalization in their competences, a co-ordination improvement and some more effective ways to control deficits. The paper shows inwhat sort of alternative measures these objectives would be accomplish and includes, as an appendix, the system proposed by the Libro Blanco (White Book).