For the autonomy of state universities.

The calamitous situation of the public universities in the State of Rio de Janeiro, UERJ, UENF, and UEZO, has been dragging on for the past few years. The state government has shown no capacity to resolve the issue and, worse, behaves as if the issue were not even relevant. It is worth emphasizing that the unprecedented crisis affecting state universities is not just a problem for "university students." It is not merely a corporate issue for faculty and technical-administrative staff, nor is it a matter of interest to tens of thousands of undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in them. From these perspectives alone, the issue would already be extremely serious. But it is something even more complex: it is the entire society of Rio de Janeiro that is paying the price for the dismantling being carried out against state universities.

Ultimately, the two state universities (UERJ and UENF) and the state university center (UEZO) are qualified and productive centers for the training of highly qualified professionals, the production and dissemination of science and technological innovation, and the implementation of extension activities with a high social impact. The population of Rio de Janeiro, directly or indirectly, benefits from this academic production: undergraduate and law courses, the Pedro Ernesto University Hospital, research in pharmaceuticals or polymers, the UERJ Application School, and the scientific and technological hub of northern Rio de Janeiro. All this and much more, assets of the people of the State of Rio de Janeiro, is now at risk due to the dismantling resulting from the policy of starvation against state universities.

In the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro (ALERJ), there is currently a significant effort to ensure that at least the budgetary and financial autonomy of state universities is respected. It is worth remembering that university autonomy is a constitutional precept enshrined in Article 207 of the 1988 Constitution. Since 1996, with Constitutional Amendment 11/96, this principle has been extended to scientific and technological research institutions, an understanding corroborated by the LDBEN 9394/96 (Brazilian Law of Education Guidelines and Bases). Therefore, the prerogatives of university autonomy cannot be denied to UERJ (State University of Rio de Janeiro), UENF (State University of Northern Rio de Janeiro), and UEZO (State University of Zoology). This is precisely what is proposed by Constitutional Amendment Proposal 047/17, currently under consideration in ALERJ, which obliges the governor to make financial transfers to state universities in monthly installments, based on the current Budget Law, exactly as happens with transfers made to the Legislative, Judicial, Court of Auditors, and Public Prosecutor's Office.

Thus, universities will be able to create a financial plan to cover personnel and operating expenses, preventing the accumulation of overdue salaries, the closure of university restaurants, and the paralysis of essential services such as cleaning and security due to lack of payment. The House of Popular Representation of Rio de Janeiro cannot turn its back on state universities, a patrimony and source of pride for our people. Constitutional Amendment Proposal 047/17 must be voted on and approved as soon as possible, and promulgated by the president of the ALERJ himself, since constitutional amendments do not depend on the governor's approval.

In any society, it is impossible to formulate and implement a project for economic and social development without investing in science, technology, innovation, and the training of qualified personnel. In Rio de Janeiro, this is no different: let's save our universities, which are bravely resisting today... For the scientific and political struggle and commitment of professors, students, and technical-administrative staff!