State governors define common agenda before meeting Rousseff
Governors from at least 18 states attend a luncheon in Brasília 
Governors from at least 18 states are attending a luncheon in Brasília, in which they have established an agenda that will be held during the meeting with President Dilma Rousseff, in the afternoon at the Alvorada Palace.
“We will address the fiscal adjustment and the related measures that may contribute to the federal pact and economic growth,” announced Wellington Dias (Workers' Party – PT), governor of Piauí.
According to him, the meeting shall be a moment to discuss ways to restore economic growth, bearing in mind “the necessary adjustments for the country”.
A delicate subject of the meeting is the reform of the Tax on Sales and Services (ICMS) value-added tax collected on a state-level basis, including the Federal District. The issue raises debate and affects significantly the states that will have their income reduced. Governors are eager to know how the losses will be compensated for.
In Wellington Dias' view, the goal is to ensure the unification of tax rates, which are nowadays set by each state; “this is good for entrepreneurs because it cuts red tape and enables the creation of new jobs." This would ensure the balance among the accounts of the Federation.
In the governor's opinion, another important measure is the repatriation of Brazilian funds from abroad, which haven't been declared to the Federal Revenue, because they will bring a major source of revenue. Based on the proposal, presented by the congressman Randolfe Rodrigues, which is being processed under urgency in the Senate, fines and taxes will be charged in the recovery of resources. The percentage charged is 35% of the undeclared funds – divided as 17.5% fine and 17.5% tax.
Translated by Amarílis Anchieta
Fonte: State governors define common agenda before meeting Rousseff
