Knesset shrinks its own funds by NIS 20m.

Edelstein instructs Knesset administration to cut back spending in all departments, following several meetings with Knesset director-general.

By LAHAV HARKOV
Meretz MK Zandberg eats lunch in office 370 (photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem/The Jerusalem Post)
Meretz MK Zandberg eats lunch in office 370
(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem/The Jerusalem Post)
While ministers threaten to vote against the budget because of cuts, the Knesset has decided to voluntarily spend NIS 20 million less this year.
Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein instructed the Knesset administration to cut back spending in all departments, following several meetings with Knesset director-general Ronen Plot.
In 2013, the legislature will slash NIS 20m. from its budget, with more cuts to come in 2014.
The Knesset canceled a renovation of its three cafeterias, in which all the equipment used to cook for and serve ministers, MKs and visitors was meant to be replaced.
The only changes that will be made in the cafeterias this year will be in security.
The cuts are not expected to lead to lay-offs, but the Knesset will not hire new workers as planned.
Meanwhile, on Monday, the Knesset House Committee appointed a joint House-Finance Committee for the Knesset's budget.
The joint committee’s members include House Committee chairman Tzachi Hanegbi (Likud Beytenu), Finance Committee chairman Nissan Slomiansky (Bayit Yehudi), and MKs Meir Sheetrit (Hatnua), Yifat Kariv (Yesh Atid), Isaac Herzog (Labor), Avraham Michaeli (Shas), Hamed Amer (Likud Beytenu), Adi Kol (Yesh Atid), Ya’acov Litzman (United Torah Judaism) and Zehava Gal-On (Meretz).