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Brazil - The State and Local Governments
State and Local Governments
Since independence Brazil has oscillated between centralization
and state autonomy. During the empire
(1822-89), Brazil had a centralized constitutional monarchy and
little state autonomy. The emperor exercised the moderating power
by appointing senators for life, presiding over a Council of State,
removing and transferring police and judicial officials at will,
and appointing provincial governors.
The
Old Republic was established in 1889 in part because of state
demands for greater autonomy. Until 1930 the larger and more powerful
states enjoyed great autonomy under a federal system patterned after
the United States model, but the smaller and poorer states constantly
suffered interventions by the central government. "Young Turk"
lieutenants (tenentes ) rebelled against this system of state oligarchies
in the 1920s and were prominent in the initial modernization strategies
after the 1930 revolution. From 1930 to 1945, the national government
centralized control over state and local governments by appointing
governors, who in turn appointed all mayors. Except for the brief
period of 1933-37, the national government closed legislatures at
all levels. The 1946 constitution reestablished a more balanced
federalism, but maintained central control over industrial, financial,
labor, election, and development policies. In October 1965, the
military regime began curtailing the autonomy of the states once
again. From 1966 through 1978, the central government appointed
state governors and mayors of state capitals and some 170 designated
selected cities deemed vital to "national security." Active-duty
army colonels were appointed as security chiefs in each state. As
part of its "liberalizing opening," the military regime
allowed direct elections for governors in 1982. In November 1985,
President Sarney and Congress allowed direct elections for mayors
of state capitals and selected cities deemed vital to "national
security."
Until 1994 state governors and vice governors were elected to one
four-year term, taking office on January 1 following their election.
In 1998 those elected in 1994 may seek one consecutive second term.
State deputies are also elected to four-year terms but are not restricted
to one term. Governors have state cabinets, and their executive
branch is organized in a manner similar to the federal executive
branch. Likewise, state assemblies organize their legislative process
like that of Congress. After 1988 state assemblies lost their salary
autonomy; state deputies may receive up to 75 percent of the salary
of a federal deputy.
State governments are responsible for maintaining state highway
systems, low-cost housing programs, public infrastructure, telephone
companies, and transit police. Both state and municipal governments
are responsible for public primary and secondary schools and public
hospitals. Municipal governments are also responsible for water,
sewerage, and garbage services. State tax revenues are concentrated
in sales taxes. State governments are allowed to operate state financial
institutions, most of which are a constant problem for the Central
Bank because they run heavy deficits, especially in election years.
In 1995 the Central Bank intervened in some of the state banks with
the worst deficits (São
Paulo, Rio
de Janeiro, Alagoas, and Mato Grosso) and sought to privatize
others. In October 1996, Brazil had 5,581 municipalities, of which
more than 15 percent had populations under 5,000. The municipal
taxing authority is concentrated on property and service
taxes.
Mayors and vice mayors must be at least twenty-one years of age
and are elected to one four-year term. Reelection is now permitted
as of the year 2000. City council members must be at least eighteen
years of age and are elected to renewable four-year terms under
a proportional representation system. From 1950 through 1970, municipal
elections coincided with general federal and state elections. Local
officials elected in 1970 were given two-year terms, so as to set
local elections two years out of phase with general elections (the
next local elections were held in 1972 and 1976). However, local
officials elected in 1976 were given six-year terms to make municipal
elections again coincide with general elections in 1982, but in
turn the latter also got six-year terms to make local elections
out of phase again (in 1988, 1992, and 1996).
Data as of April 1997
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