São Luís and Porto Alegre pass municipal bills on flood safety and samba school support

The Câmara Municipal of São Luís is reviewing a bill that would create a Municipal Flood Prevention Policy for areas around schools, daycare centers, health units and social assistance facilities. Authored by councilwoman Concita Pinto (PSB), the proposal calls for drainage works, regular cleaning of galleries, risk‑area monitoring, waste‑disposal campaigns and partnerships with private and civil‑society actors. After committee review it will be sent to a plenary vote and, if approved, to the mayor for sanction.

In Porto Alegre, a new bill has been introduced to establish a Municipal Policy for the Valuing, Mapping and Promotion of the city’s samba schools. Sponsored by councilors Gilson Padeiro, Giovane Byl, Professor Vitorino and Cláudia Araújo, the measure seeks legal recognition of samba schools as significant cultural entities, a census of active groups, a unified database, and mechanisms for long‑term financial support from the municipal government.