Opposition tries to block gasoline price increase.

The opposition bloc in the Legislative Assembly wants the government to revoke the 3% increase in the ICMS tax rate on fuels, which will result in a new increase in the price of gasoline (only in Bahia) on April 1st; "Once again the government is penalizing the consumer's pocket, who can no longer bear so many price increases. It will be a blow to the budget," says Deputy Fábio Souto, of the DEM party; "It's a very high tax burden, over 40%. The people can't take it anymore."

March 20, 2015, 22:00 PMUpdated May 27, 2019, 10:09 AM

The opposition bloc in the Legislative Assembly wants the government to revoke the 3% increase in the ICMS tax rate on fuels, which will result in a new increase in the price of gasoline (only in Bahia) on April 1st; "Once again the government is penalizing the consumer's pocket, who can no longer bear so many tariff increases. It will be a blow to the budget," says Deputy Fábio Souto, of the DEM party; "It's a very high tax burden, over 40%. The people can't take it anymore" (Photo: Romulo Faro)

Bahia 247 - The opposition bloc in the Legislative Assembly of Bahia (AL-BA) promises to give Governor Rui Costa no peace regarding the increase in gasoline prices that will take effect on April 1st in the state. Deputy Fábio Souto (DEM) wants the government to revoke the 3% increase in the ICMS tax rate on fuels, resulting from an Executive Bill approved by the House at the last minute, with the entire minority bloc voting against it.

The proposal submitted by then-Governor Jaques Wagner increased the tax on gasoline from 27% to 30%, creating the State Logistics and Transportation Fund with the justification of guaranteeing resources for the maintenance and recovery of roads.

"But once again, it's penalizing the consumer's pocket, who can't handle so many tariff increases anymore. It's going to be a blow to the budget," said Fábio Souto, recalling that less than a month ago the population faced fuel price adjustments, an increase in energy tariffs, "in addition to the generalized increase in product prices" in supermarkets.

"It's a very high tax burden, over 40%, the people can't take it anymore," said the Democrat. He emphasizes that "the power to veto" the increase lies with Governor Rui Costa.

Opposition leader Sandro Régis, also from the DEM party, said that this is yet another "cursed legacy" from Jaques Wagner, stamped on by the current governor.

"The government of Bahia follows the model of the federal government, passing on the burden of its inefficiency and mismanagement to the long-suffering Brazilian worker." According to Régis, Bahians will pay the highest gasoline prices in the country, at an average price of R$ 3,57, even surpassing that of Acre, which is R$ 3,46.