Picciani: State of emergency decree in Rio re-establishes priorities.

The president of the Legislative Assembly and of the PMDB-RJ party, Deputy Jorge Picciani, stated that the declaration of a state of public calamity in the state's finances will facilitate federal aid to Rio de Janeiro and pave the way for Governor Francisco Dornelles to "reestablish priorities"; according to the parliamentarian, the Rio de Janeiro government will allocate resources for the payment of public servants, security, health, and education; he denied that the "rationalization of all essential public services" mentioned in the decree means a reduction in spending on health and education to prioritize the Olympics.

June 18, 2016, 20:51 pmUpdated June 29, 2018, 14:52 pm

The president of the Legislative Assembly and of the PMDB-RJ party, Deputy Jorge Picciani, stated that the declaration of a state of public calamity in the state's finances will facilitate federal aid to Rio de Janeiro and pave the way for Governor Francisco Dornelles to "reestablish priorities"; according to the parliamentarian, the Rio de Janeiro government will allocate resources for the payment of public servants, security, health, and education; he denied that the "rationalization of all essential public services" mentioned in the decree means a reduction in spending on health and education to prioritize the Olympics (Photo: Leonardo Lucena).

Rio 247 - The president of the Legislative Assembly and of the PMDB-RJ, deputy Jorge Picciani, stated this Saturday (18) that the declaration of a state of public calamity in the finances of the State will facilitate federal aid to Rio de Janeiro and will open the way for Governor Francisco Dornelles to “reestablish priorities”. According to the parliamentarian, the Rio de Janeiro government will allocate resources for the payment of civil servants, security, health and education. Next week, the federal government should issue provisional measures to guarantee around R$ 3 billion to Rio de Janeiro.

Picciani said that the “tough measures” mentioned on Friday night (17) by Dornelles refer to cutting 30% of state spending and eliminating five secretariats; Among the initiatives, there is the reassessment of all social programs and the temporary suspension of the poverty alleviation program, Renda Melhor.

The congressman denied that the "rationalization of all essential public services" mentioned in the decree means a reduction in spending on health and education to prioritize the Olympics. "That's not a possibility," he replied.

“This decree gives the federal government peace of mind to provide more assistance to Rio de Janeiro and gives the governor the tools to restore the state's priorities: paying (civil servants') salaries on time, restoring public safety, ensuring the functioning of schools, and securing resources for healthcare. Healthcare needs R$ 200 million per month, but currently has between R$ 50 million and R$ 100 million. Dornelles has now taken control of the state's finances,” added Picciani, according to a report in Estadão.

The president of the Rio de Janeiro State Legislative Assembly (Alerj) demanded that state secretariats and other public institutions reduce spending, including reviewing contracts and laying off appointed officials.

“Tough measures include spending cuts, which will be very significant. These are difficult measures, but they have to be taken. Each department has a duty to cut appointed positions and review contracts. The governor has committed to ensuring this will be done, and the Assembly will monitor it,” he said.