In an extraordinary session held virtually this Tuesday (25), the University Council (Consu) of Unicamp unanimously approved a Motion to Repudiate the 529 / 2020 Bill, which establishes fiscal austerity measures in the state administration to contain the effects of the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. According to the text, article 14 of the PL provides for the collection of financial surpluses found in the balance sheets of state authorities and foundations and their transfer to the State Treasury's Single Account, which could cause an estimated loss of around R$1 billion to the three state universities in São Paulo - Unicamp, USP and Unesp - and the São Paulo State Research Support Foundation (Fapesp). Access the full document here.
The text of the Motion emphasizes the importance of the São Paulo public university system for national scientific production and how much the measure could harm the work carried out by institutions in the areas of teaching, research and provision of services to the population. Throughout the extraordinary session, Council members expressed their support for the motion, highlighting that the measure provided for in the PL goes against the financial and management autonomy of universities, and highlighted the importance of encouraging everyone's engagement in discussions surrounding the PL and the search for changes with the state deputies of the Legislative Assembly.
Marcelo Knobel, rector of Unicamp, explained that the balance sheet surplus that the PL intends to collect from universities concerns the evolution of the institutions' accounts over the years, which is different from the financial balance sheet, which only concerns one fiscal year. specific. In the case of Unicamp, the amount that would be collected is calculated at around R$48 million. However, the rector clarifies that it is thanks to this amount that the University is able to meet its financial commitments. "There is no money left. The money has been used precisely so that we do not need to resort to loans or other types of debt to pay our day-to-day obligations. If this is withdrawn, the situation will naturally change and change for the worse", says Knobel.
PL 529/2020 is currently being processed in the committees of the Legislative Assembly of São Paulo and has already received 623 proposed amendments, 45 of which are specific to article 14, a movement that involves around 55 deputies. Marcelo Knobel highlights that the mobilization in search of changes to the text must continue and mentions that, in addition to dialogue with state deputies and the State Government, he will also meet with the mayors of the Metropolitan Region of Campinas and letters will also be sent to federal deputies who represent the Campinas region in Congress. "We have to be very attentive and firm, demanding the deputies", recalls the rector. Consu will remain alert for new discussions that arise around the Bill.
