About the votes presented

Political parties must allocate at least 5% of the resources from the party fund to the creation and maintenance of programs promoting and disseminating women's political participation. At the discretion of the parties, the resources may be accumulated across different fiscal years and used in future election campaigns for their respective female candidates.

The amount of campaign finance funds and the portion of party funds allocated to election campaigns, as well as the free airtime on radio and television to be distributed by parties to their respective female candidates, must be at least 30%, regardless of the number of female candidates.

However, the proposed amendment will grant amnesty to parties that have not used the minimum percentages for financing women's campaigns and for promoting and disseminating women's political participation. Furthermore, the amendment allows parties that, if they fail to use resources for programs promoting female candidates or have not been recognized by the Electoral Court by the time of the election, they may use this amount for subsequent elections.

The text also stipulates that no sanctions of any kind, including the return of funds, fines, or suspension of party funding, will be applied to parties that did not meet the minimum gender or race quota or that did not allocate the minimum amounts corresponding to these purposes in elections held before the amendment was enacted.

The tax reform in Brazil, with PLP 68/2024, aims to simplify and modernize the country's tax system, addressing four main areas: Selective Tax (IS), Construction in the Real Estate Regime, Nano-entrepreneur, and Split Payment.

The Selective Tax will be expanded to include new products, such as electric cars and betting, while trucks will be excluded. Differentiated rates will be defined by environmental criteria, but this may discourage the adoption of sustainable vehicles, counteracting the efforts of the Green Mobility Program. The inclusion of taxes on virtual betting seeks to mitigate the social and health impacts associated with online gambling.

Under the Real Estate Regime, the Construction Industry will have reduced tax rates to promote economic activity. However, dependence on tax subsidies can distort the market and complicate the tax system, necessitating a more cohesive economic policy.

The creation of the Nanoentrepreneur category aims to formalize entrepreneurs with annual revenue of up to R$ 40,500, offering tax exemption on consumption. This measure seeks to simplify formalization, but may increase the complexity of the system and limit business growth.

The Split Payment system divides the responsibility for tax collection during transactions. "Automatic Split Payment" collects taxes in real time, while "Simplified Split Payment" applies to transactions with end consumers. This innovation aims to increase efficiency and tax compliance.

Additional changes include adjustments to the taxation of medicines, with exemptions for sanitary napkins and tax reductions for certain medications. Bars and restaurants will benefit from the non-cumulative regime, allowing deductions for taxes paid in previous stages, and excluding delivery from the tax base.

The tax reform in Brazil, with PLP 68/2024, aims to simplify and modernize the country's tax system, addressing four main areas: Selective Tax (IS), Construction in the Real Estate Regime, Nano-entrepreneur, and Split Payment.

The Selective Tax will be expanded to include new products, such as electric cars and betting, while trucks will be excluded. Differentiated rates will be defined by environmental criteria, but this may discourage the adoption of sustainable vehicles, counteracting the efforts of the Green Mobility Program. The inclusion of taxes on virtual betting seeks to mitigate the social and health impacts associated with online gambling.

Under the Real Estate Regime, the Construction Industry will have reduced tax rates to promote economic activity. However, dependence on tax subsidies can distort the market and complicate the tax system, necessitating a more cohesive economic policy.

The creation of the Nanoentrepreneur category aims to formalize entrepreneurs with annual revenue of up to R$ 40,500, offering tax exemption on consumption. This measure seeks to simplify formalization, but may increase the complexity of the system and limit business growth.

The Split Payment system divides the responsibility for tax collection during transactions. "Automatic Split Payment" collects taxes in real time, while "Simplified Split Payment" applies to transactions with end consumers. This innovation aims to increase efficiency and tax compliance.

Additional changes include adjustments to the taxation of medicines, with exemptions for sanitary napkins and tax reductions for certain medications. Bars and restaurants will benefit from the non-cumulative regime, allowing deductions for taxes paid in previous stages, and excluding delivery from the tax base.

The bill allows the assignment of credit rights originating from tax and non-tax credits of the federative entities and introduces extrajudicial protest as a cause for interruption of the statute of limitations, in addition to authorizing the tax administration to request information from public or private entities and bodies.

In terms of merit, the project presents a series of benefits that justify its approval. Debt securitization will allow for the anticipation of revenues that would be received in the long term or, in many cases, would not be received at all. This offers a practical solution for the fiscal management of states and municipalities, enabling the financing of infrastructure projects and other initiatives of public interest. The project ensures that the revenue obtained from the assignment of credit rights is allocated, in equal parts, to public investments and the financing of Social Security, promoting economic development and helping to balance the pension system.

The transfer of credit to private investors creates new business opportunities, stimulating the financial market and promoting economic development. The possibility of obtaining additional resources without the need to take out new loans or increase taxes promotes more efficient and responsible management of public resources. Furthermore, by allocating part of the revenue to Social Security, the project contributes to the sustainability of retirement and pension benefits, benefiting millions of Brazilians.

The purpose of bankruptcy proceedings is to organize the liquidation process of unviable companies, recovering debts and mitigating damages to those involved. In this way, productive assets can be reallocated to their best use. In Brazil, however, the bankruptcy process is slow and ineffective. Creditors have little influence over the fate of the bankrupt estate, and there is little transparency regarding information about the bankruptcy process. These factors harm creditors and entrepreneurs and, more broadly, the efficiency and productivity of the Brazilian economy.

One of the main purposes of the project is to improve the governance of the bankruptcy process, expanding the participation of creditors and making them protagonists in the process, as they are the most interested parties in the efficient liquidation of assets. It is proposed that the general meeting of creditors be given new powers, including the approval of the bankruptcy plan – a document introduced by this proposal – and the power to appoint a fiduciary manager to conduct the asset liquidation and creditor payment process. The bankruptcy plan should regulate the main stages of bankruptcy, namely: (i) management of the bankrupt estate's financial resources; (ii) sale of assets; (iii) measures to be taken in relation to ongoing judicial or administrative proceedings; (iv) payment of liabilities; and (v) possible hiring of professionals, specialized companies, or appraisers.

To expedite the bankruptcy process, the proposal waives the need for judicial approval for actions related to the asset sale plan and the payment of liabilities after the bankruptcy plan has been approved by the general meeting of creditors and ratified by the judge. Furthermore, the proposed text seeks to discourage frivolous disputes among creditors and encourage the debtor and creditor classes to cooperate in finding swift solutions in the bankruptcy process.

The defense of granting differentiated quotas is based on principles of equity, social justice, and inclusion.

Differentiated quotas aim to ensure fairer and more accurate representation of diverse groups in politics, education, employment, and other spheres of society. This can lead to greater diversity of perspectives and experiences, enriching debate and decision-making. Furthermore, they can contribute to a more inclusive and cohesive society where all citizens have the chance to reach their full potential.

Implementing differentiated quotas can help challenge and dismantle harmful stereotypes about certain groups, demonstrating that they have the skills, competencies, and merits to occupy important positions.

The project standardizes the application of interest rates in debt contracts and extra-contractual civil liability, and allows credit operations outside the banking system with more favorable conditions for borrowers.

- Defines a legal interest rate for cases where the rate is not agreed upon, such as economic loans, default on contractual obligations, and civil liability for unlawful acts. The lack of consensus in the Judiciary regarding this rate makes a clear and uniform definition necessary. The proposed legal rate is the simple arithmetic average of the real interest rates of the National Treasury Notes Series B (NTN-B) for five years, plus 0.5% per month, as published annually by the Central Bank. For monetary correction when the IPCA (Broad Consumer Price Index) is not agreed upon in a contract or specific law, it is proposed that the National Consumer Price Index published by IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) be used.

The proposal seeks to standardize the conditions for setting interest rates in transactions within and outside the financial system, allowing for better credit conditions for borrowers. This includes making the application of the Usury Law more flexible in obligations contracted between legal entities, with the exception of transactions with investment funds or clubs, while maintaining protection for individuals. Jurisprudential uncertainty regarding the application of the legal rate and the maximum limit stipulated in the Usury Law increases the costs of legal liabilities and reduces the availability of credit, negatively impacting the economy. Therefore, correcting these distortions is urgent to stimulate investment and business growth, contributing to the country's financial stability.

This law regulates the proclamation of judgment results in the event of a tie vote within the Administrative Council of Tax Appeals, and provides for tax compliance within the Special Secretariat of the Federal Revenue of Brazil of the Ministry of Finance, as well as for low-complexity administrative tax litigation.

The amendment removes from the text the possibility of making a voluntary disclosure until the last day of the month following the publication of this law.

The reform seeks to modernize tax collection to enhance the competitiveness of businesses. The ideal tax system is one that preserves a level playing field in competition, ensures the competitiveness of companies, and fosters the development of the country's skills and strengths.

It defines crimes of discrimination against politically exposed persons, against persons who are responding to a preliminary investigation, a summary proceeding, an inquiry or any other investigative procedure for a criminal, civil or administrative offense, or against persons who are defendants in ongoing legal proceedings.

However, the text underwent a series of modifications and, in the version that will go to the Senate, it is limited to dealing exclusively with situations involving financial institutions, such as refusal to open a checking account and grant credit, for example.

On March 30th, the current government presented its proposal for a new fiscal framework, after months of discussions and years of tension related to the spending cap. Experience with the previous tax rule brought benefits, especially the reduction in interest rates imposed on government bonds due to its credibility regarding the need for public debt stability. Additionally, the rule also made the approval of the pension reform, enacted in 2019, more urgent, and led to greater control over the public sector payroll, considered high compared to countries at a similar level of development and constantly growing, in contrast to the private sector, where salaries have shown a much more moderate trend.

Bad aspects of the text:

• Reduced flexibility: One of the main disadvantages of the fiscal rule is that it limits the government's ability to respond to changes in economic conditions. This reduced flexibility can be problematic, especially during economic recessions, when increased government spending may be necessary to stimulate growth and support vulnerable populations. We saw this during the Covid-19 pandemic.

• Potential procyclical fiscal policy: Strict adherence to the fiscal rule can lead to a procyclical fiscal policy, in which government spending is cut during economic recessions, exacerbating the negative impact on growth and employment.

• Inadequate focus on long-term investments: The fiscal rule's focus on short-term spending limits can lead to underinvestment in long-term priorities such as infrastructure, education, and research and development.

• The trade-off between flexibility and predictability in fiscal policy is a central theme in the literature. While it is argued that fiscal rules should be designed with escape clauses or countercyclical elements to allow flexibility during times of economic stress, an overly flexible framework can undermine the rule's credibility, making it less effective in promoting fiscal discipline and stabilizing public debt in the medium term. Finding the right balance between flexibility and predictability is essential to ensure that fiscal rules are effective and adaptable to changing economic conditions.

On March 30th, the current government presented its proposal for a new fiscal framework, after months of discussions and years of tension related to the spending cap. Experience with the previous fiscal rule brought benefits, especially the reduction in interest rates imposed on government bonds due to its credibility regarding the need for public debt stability. Additionally, the rule also made the approval of the pension reform, enacted in 2019, more urgent, and led to greater control over the public sector payroll, considered high compared to countries at a similar level of development and constantly growing, in contrast to the private sector, where salaries have shown a much more moderate trend.

Bad aspects of the text:

• Reduced flexibility: One of the main disadvantages of the fiscal rule is that it limits the government's ability to respond to changes in economic conditions. This reduced flexibility can be problematic, especially during economic recessions, when increased government spending may be necessary to stimulate growth and support vulnerable populations. We saw this during the Covid-19 pandemic.

• Potential procyclical fiscal policy: Strict adherence to the fiscal rule can lead to a procyclical fiscal policy, in which government spending is cut during economic recessions, exacerbating the negative impact on growth and employment.

• Inadequate focus on long-term investments: The fiscal rule's focus on short-term spending limits can lead to underinvestment in long-term priorities such as infrastructure, education, and research and development.

• The trade-off between flexibility and predictability in fiscal policy is a central theme in the literature. While it is argued that fiscal rules should be designed with escape clauses or countercyclical elements to allow flexibility during times of economic stress, an excessively flexible framework can undermine the rule's credibility, making it less effective in promoting fiscal discipline and stabilizing public debt in the medium term. Finding the right balance between flexibility and predictability is essential to ensure that fiscal rules are effective and adaptable to changing economic conditions.

On March 30th, the current government presented its proposal for a new fiscal framework, after months of discussions and years of tension related to the spending cap. Experience with the previous tax rule brought benefits, especially the reduction in interest rates imposed on government bonds due to its credibility regarding the need for public debt stability. Additionally, the rule also made the approval of the pension reform, enacted in 2019, more urgent, and led to greater control over the public sector payroll, considered high compared to countries at a similar level of development and constantly growing, in contrast to the private sector, where salaries have shown a much more moderate trend.

Bad aspects of the text:

• Reduced flexibility: One of the main disadvantages of the fiscal rule is that it limits the government's ability to respond to changes in economic conditions. This reduced flexibility can be problematic, especially during economic recessions, when increased government spending may be necessary to stimulate growth and support vulnerable populations. We saw this during the Covid-19 pandemic.

• Potential procyclical fiscal policy: Strict adherence to the fiscal rule can lead to a procyclical fiscal policy, in which government spending is cut during economic recessions, exacerbating the negative impact on growth and employment.

• Inadequate focus on long-term investments: The fiscal rule's focus on short-term spending limits can lead to underinvestment in long-term priorities such as infrastructure, education, and research and development.

• The trade-off between flexibility and predictability in fiscal policy is a central theme in the literature. While it is argued that fiscal rules should be designed with escape clauses or countercyclical elements to allow flexibility during times of economic stress, an overly flexible framework can undermine the rule's credibility, making it less effective in promoting fiscal discipline and stabilizing public debt in the medium term. Finding the right balance between flexibility and predictability is essential to ensure that fiscal rules are effective and adaptable to changing economic conditions.

This refers to Bill 2630/2020, which establishes the Brazilian Law of Freedom, Responsibility, and Transparency on the Internet – popularly known as the "Fake News Bill" or " Censorship Bill ".

In short, the legislative proposal addresses the regulation of providers (social networks, search engines, and instant messaging); remuneration for journalistic content; digital advertising; the crime of fake news; promotion of education for internet use; protection of children and adolescents; joint liability of providers; among others. It should be noted that the substitute bill under analysis, lacking reasonableness and clarity, and under the false pretense of protecting public order, the reputation of others, and morality, as well as promoting knowledge, restricts and regulates freedom of expression; interferes with strategic assets and business methods; and impacts the freedom of free enterprise.

Indeed, it is evident that technological advancements, especially the emergence of social media and other mass communication platforms, raise concerning questions about how to preserve the ideals of freedom of expression, promote the diversity of voices and ideas, protect children and adolescents, and, in particular, discourage the spread of knowingly false news and propaganda. In this respect, it is necessary to acknowledge that social media platforms do not disregard or fail to give importance to the concerns expressed in the justification of the proposal.

The current self-regulation approach demonstrates that platforms are part of the solution: Meta, Twitter, YouTube, Google, and other technology companies signed an agreement with the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) last year to combat disinformation in the 2022 elections¹, as well as signing European Union Codes of Conduct against hate speech² and disinformation³ on social media, in which they commit to using commercially reasonable efforts to combat the identified problems. Furthermore, WhatsApp has limited the forwarding of messages⁴ to contain disinformation about the coronavirus⁵. Additionally, we recall that these platforms, by facilitating debate on matters of public interest, play a role of utmost importance, and in some cases, can also act as a "watchdog" for the Public Authorities.

In this sense, it is important to clarify that freedom of expression, one of the essential foundations of a democratic society, applies not only to information or ideas considered favorable, harmless, or similar, but also to those that offend, shock, or disturb the State or any sector of society. Thus, it is important to emphasize the need for extreme caution before suggesting that the right to freedom of expression offers little protection for the dissemination of information and opinions, even dissenting ones, on social media. In any case, it should be noted that truth is a subjective concept, constructed in an environment of competing theories. Thus, the following question remains: who defines what is in fact untrue? It seems to be the Brazilian State.