'I used a helicopter with complete ease'
The governor of Rio Grande do Sul, José Ivo Sartori, said he did not regret using a helicopter for an unofficial engagement, even after the Executive branch had already announced a 30% cut in public spending to optimize investments; the trip to the North Coast cost R$ 13, according to the state Executive branch; "I did it with the utmost naturalness and I will continue to do it with the same naturalness," he said; "There are issues that are part of the government's activity and the interpersonal relationships that the governor has to have."
Rio Grande do Sul 247 - The governor of Rio Grande do Sul, José Ivo Sartori, said this Thursday (12) that he did not regret using a Uniair helicopter for an unofficial commitment over the weekend. The trip to a feijoada on the North Coast cost R$ 13, according to the state Executive.
"I did this with the utmost naturalness and I will continue to do so with the same naturalness. (...) There are issues that are part of the government's own activity and the relationships that the governor has to have. Perhaps I am different from others who only deal with strictly official matters," said Sartori, in an interview with Jornal Gente, on Rádio Bandeirantes. "We will not be guided by pressures of this order or nature," he added.
Although the expenditure was not illegal, the use of the aircraft for an unofficial commitment drew attention, given that the state government announced a 30% cut in spending to optimize investments. This reduction in expenses could, for example, cause chaos in the state's public health system, according to the board of the Federation of Santa Casas of Rio Grande do Sul (read more here).