The voting method, presented by the government leader, Vinicius Camarinha (PSB), includes two amendments, authored by Congresswoman Professora Bebel (PT), related to the transparency of the operations foreseen in the matter, such as publication of financing contracts and accountability to committees of the Legislative Assembly. If approved, it will proceed to the sanction of Governor João Doria.
With the approval of the Assembly, the government will be allowed to contract loans of up to R$ 5 billion (US$ 995m) with national financial institutions. The amount obtained from credit operations should be distributed among works and investments in roads and localities, urban mobility, housing, infrastructure in health, education, and public safety.
As part of the actions to increase the financial resources available in the State, Bill 359/21 also seeks to establish the Sao Paulo State Lottery, which would serve the exclusive purpose of funding actions aimed at social assistance and reducing social vulnerability in the State.
The proposal comes after a decision by the Federal Supreme Court (STF), which allowed the exploitation of lotteries by state governments. The former Union monopoly had been defined in a 1967 decree.
Actions aimed at the environmental area, flood drainage, innovation, and new technologies for the optimization of public administration services complete the set of measures subject to the application of resources.
The government may also have access to up to US$ 256.5 million from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to invest in the São Paulo Mais Digital project, aimed at modernizing public administration, increasing the scope of services provided and improving citizen services.
Another US$300 million should be obtained for Sabesp's Investment Plan Support Program, through an external credit operation with the New Development Bank (NDB). Another US$200 million, acquired through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), will be earmarked for phase 3 of the Environmental Recovery Program for the Metropolitan Region of Baixada Santista.
Finally, authorization is provided for the Treasury Department to grant idle properties to the private sector so that the resources can be used in companies controlled by the State and in real estate or investment funds.
Source: GMB
