In crisis, the Paraná State Assembly readjusts parliamentary funds.

Starting in April, state deputies will have more money to spend on hiring commissioned advisors and on expenses related to their mandates – such as fuel, telephone, and food. The percentage of adjustments is not yet defined, but if the rates are the same as those applied in Brasília, the cost will be almost R$ 11 million more per year to the Paraná state coffers, which are facing serious financial difficulties.

February 27, 2015, 15:18 PMUpdated July 05, 2018, 11:48 pm

State deputies will have more money, starting in April, to spend on hiring commissioned advisors and on expenses to cover their mandates – such as fuel, telephone, and food; the percentage of adjustments is not defined, but if the rates are the same as those applied in Brasília, the cost will be almost R$ 11 million more per year to the public coffers of Paraná, which are going through serious financial difficulties (Photo: Leonardo Lucena).

Paraná 247 - One day after the Federal Chamber approved a package of adjustments to the benefits of federal deputies, the Legislative Assembly of Paraná decided to follow the same path. Starting in April, state deputies will have more money to spend on hiring commissioned advisors and on expenses related to their mandates – including fuel, telephone, and food. The percentage of adjustments is not yet defined, but if the rates are the same as those applied in Brasília, the cost will be almost R$ 11 million more per year to the Paraná public coffers, which are facing serious financial difficulties.

In justifying the measure, the president of the Assembly, Ademar Traiano (PSDB), said that "the adjustment hasn't been applied for four years," he told Gazeta do Povo. "Once the budget is adjusted in Brasília, it's automatic and has to happen in the Assembly," he added.

The readjustment occurs amidst a crisis in the government of Beto Richa (PSDB), who is facing criticism from thousands of public employees due to a package of financial adjustments. One of the measures foresees the withdrawal of R$ 8 billion from the pension fund destined for the payment of retirees and pensioners, which would be transferred to the government's general treasury. The politician denies that the category will be harmed.read more here).

The Assembly had already been invaded before Carnival by various groups, especially teachers. Parliamentarians arrived at the Legislative Assembly on the 12th inside a Military Police car, but were prevented from leaving the building. The Military Police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the protesters.

Federal deputies approved, this Wednesday (25), an 18% increase in the allowance for parliamentarians to hire staff and an 8,7% increase in the so-called "quota" for the payment of mandate expenses. Congressmen will also have the provision of tickets for the spouses of parliamentarians to travel from their home state to the federal capital back.

Currently, each of the 54 state deputies has R$ 78.525 available per month to hire up to 23 commissioned employees. If the same 18% increase, equivalent to the accumulated inflation from July 2012 to January of this year, defined by the Chamber, were applied, the office allowance would rise to R$ 92,6 in the state, generating a monthly increase of R$ 763,2 and an annual increase of R$ 9,15 million for the public coffers.

The reimbursement allowance in the Assembly is set at R$ 31,4. This resource serves to reimburse parliamentarians for expenses such as postage, airfare, consulting services, etc. Based on the 8,7% readjustment applied in Brasília, the reimbursement allowance would be R$ 34,2. The impact would be R$ 147,8 per month and R$ 1,77 million per year.