On sensitive topics, Tarcísio starts relationship with deputies – 02/04/2023 – Power

The governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans), will have to veto or sanction in the coming days a package of bills approved by the Legislative Assembly that deal with sensitive issues and that represent the flags of base and opposition deputies.

The new legislature only starts on March 15, but the articulations between the deputies and the government secretaries for the sanction of the 79 projects are in progress.

The texts were approved wholesale, last December, but the burden of analyzing them rested with Tarcísio, and not with his predecessor Rodrigo Garcia (PSDB).

The first law of the package was sanctioned on Tuesday (31) and provides for the distribution of cannabidiol-based products in the SUS. It is authored by deputy Caio França (PSB) and other opposition deputies.

This Friday (3), Tarcísio sanctioned the project that obliges bars, restaurants and nightclubs to “adopt measures to help women who feel at risk”, by deputies Coronel Nishikawa (PL), Marcio Nakashima (PDT) and Damaris Moore (PSDB).

Already among the governor’s Bolsonarist base, the main project is the one that prohibits the requirement of the Covid vaccination card for access to any location in the state.

Tarcísio has until the next 15th to sanction or veto it and, according to members of the government, the hammer has not yet been beaten.

While part of the deputies see in sanctions and vetoes nods to the base or the opposition, many consider that, in fact, most projects should be vetoed for being unconstitutional —which depends on legal analysis, and not on Tarcísio’s will. Government officials say the same.

The project on the supply of cannabidiol-based medicines, for example, had most of the text vetoed – only general passages, which did not conflict with the Union or with the prerogatives of the governor, were maintained.

In an event on Wednesday (1st), Tarcísio stated that he starts the government with the support of two thirds of the Assembly, that is, more than 60 out of 94 deputies. He should also place his ally André do Prado (PL) in the presidency of the House from March 15th.

In the package, in addition to ideologically charged projects, there are proposals that change taxes and, with that, reduce state revenue. In the understanding of some deputies and members of the government, these propositions are unconstitutional and will be vetoed.

The government has already decided to veto, as shown by the Panel, the approved bill that reduces the tax on inheritances and gifts (ITCMD). The author of the project is Bolsonarist Frederico D’Avila (PL), an ally of Tarcísio.

The Treasury Department under Rodrigo’s management pointed out that the state would fail to collect R$ 4 billion a year. D’Avila argues that, over time, the lower rate would promote an increase in revenue.

The package was approved on December 21, just before the recess, to fulfill a tradition of the Assembly that all deputies have at least one project approved per year. As a result, the analysis of constitutionality was not carried out in detail, which should lead the Executive to bar measures.

In January, the approved projects began little by little to be sent by the House to the Palácio dos Bandeirantes. From that, Tarcísio has 15 working days to veto or sanction. Interlocution with the deputies is in charge of the Secretary of Government, Gilberto Kassab (PSD).

Deputy Letícia Aguiar (PL) says she believes Tarcísio will sanction the project against the so-called health passport, which was proposed by Deputy Janaina Paschoal (PRTB) in 2021 and had the endorsement of 15 more parliamentarians, most Bolsonarists.

The text prohibits the requirement of vaccination to enter schools and universities and to hold positions in public administration, in addition to talking about the adversities of the vaccine.

“The governor must sanction, for what we have been talking to the secretaries. I understand that he is in favor of people’s freedom, he knows that this project is about that. We are in favor of vaccination, but above all we are in favor of freedom of choice “, says Aguiar.

In the campaign, Tarcísio said he was against the obligation to vaccinate children and civil servants. With this argument, deputies demand the endorsement of the project, threatening to accuse him of breach of promise.

The deputy says that sanctioning the law may even lead to the interpretation that Tarcísio is against the vaccine, but that this is not true. “He never took a stand in that regard.”

Aguiar states that sanctioning most approved projects “politically is a measure that helps in the relationship [do governador] with the House”, but says that Tarcísio should sanction only the projects that “have a positive impact”.

The deputy works for the sanction of another project of her authorship, which increases the age limit for joining the Military Police from 30 to 35 years. Aguiar says that the proposal should become law, since the Security Secretary, Guilherme Derrite (PL), presented a similar text in the Chamber of Deputies.

In relation to the cannabidiol project, the initial expectation was of a veto, both for its unconstitutional points and for the opposition of the conservative group in the process in the Assembly.

When sanctioning the text, Tarcísio said that the issue was not ideological, but pragmatic. “This is about public health, it’s not about being conservative or not.”

The determining factor for the sanction was the fact that the governor has a nephew with Dravet syndrome, a rare condition that causes seizures, and who uses cannabidiol, as Tarcísio reported in his speech. During the speech, he got emotional.

There was also a campaign by the deputies on the networks, a petition with 40 thousand signatures and a letter from the OAB-SP in defense of the proposal. For conservative deputies, popular support and personal experience shield Tarcísio from being criticized by his electorate.

Caio França, who is the son of Minister Márcio França (PSB) — Tarcísio’s opponent in the election and also against the privatization of the Port of Santos, the governor’s agenda — said he did not see a political character in the sanction.

“I am very pleased. Tarcísio never spoke of politics. He only said that he wanted São Paulo to be at the forefront of the issue”, he said.

For some parliamentarians, Tarcísio scored with the opposition by sanctioning the law. The proposal was signed by 8 deputies, from PSB, PSOL, PSDB, Rede, PC do B and Novo. Tarcísio was alongside opponents such as Mônica Seixas (PSOL) and Marina Helou (Rede), at the sanctioning ceremony at Palácio dos Bandeirantes.