Minas Gerais politics: pre-candidate agenda and governor's credit decree

Jarbas Soares, the prosecutor‑general of Minas Gerais and pre‑candidate for the state governorship, presented a set of proposals at a meeting with business leaders in Varginha. His agenda emphasized increased funding for the Civil Police, the reactivation of a regional railway line to lower logistical costs for agricultural and industrial producers, and the simplification of licensing procedures to attract new investments.

The Minas Gerais State Court of Accounts (TCE‑MG) has summoned Governor Mateus Simões, who is seeking re‑election, to clarify a supplementary credit decree of R$1.99 billion. The decree draws mainly on proceeds from the recent R$8.3 billion privatization of the state water utility Copasa, allocating funds to debt repayment, infrastructure projects and other budget items. Opposition legislators questioned the use of R$900 million for the Federal Equalization Fund, prompting the court’s investigation.