The governor of , (Republicans), doubled the budget allocated for advertising and investments in concessions, privatizations and partnerships in the Budget proposal for 2025 sent in October to .
The amount reserved for the Government Secretariat, headed by (), which takes care of political articulation and controls amendments and agreements, was multiplied by six and reached R$2.2 billion.
The total Budget of R$372.5 billion foresees a record R$33.5 billion in investments. The level is close to what was predicted by the Rodrigo Garcia government (former PSDB) for 2023, of around R$35 billion adjusted for inflation — but, that year, only R$23 billion actually ended up invested.
At the time, the then toucan publicized the feat and hoped to be re-elected to carry out the works, while Tarcísio, who was elected, considered the .
The governor has indicated that he intends to run for the Presidency of the Republic, given the ineligibility of (). In this case, he would have to leave office by April of the election year.
If he runs for re-election, Tarcísio will not be able to attend construction openings from July 2026 onwards.
The Budget project lists a series of deliveries that should be explored as electoral showcases, such as works on Metro and CPTM lines, implementation of the Intercidades Train and delivery of the Rodoanel Norte.
The proposal strengthens Kassab, an enemy of Bolsonarism and a big name in the Tarcísio government — and who, as president of the PSD, was the main winner of the 2024 elections in terms of number of mayors.
In 2024, the municipal election year, Tarcísio proposed R$1.6 billion for the Government Secretariat. The forecast was reduced to less than a quarter due to a change in the Assembly, but ended up being extrapolated — Kassab’s expenditure has reached R$1.1 billion so far. The forecast of spending double that in 2025, on the other hand, is still below the R$3.3 billion stipulated by the toucans for the portfolio in 2023.
According to members of the government, the secretariat’s budget is necessary to fund amendments and agreements already agreed with mayors and deputies for improvements in their regions.
Kassab has been the target of complaints from other party groups, such as PP, PL and Republicans, who accuse him of using his position to make a bargain and strengthen the PSD.
For deputy Alexander Muniz de Oliveira (PL) —known as Alex de Madureira—, Budget rapporteur and member of the government base, the increase to the portfolio is not a political movement, but an administrative necessity.
“It is this department that guarantees the agreements with the municipalities. All the works in progress, which have been paid for by the government, everything comes from the Government Secretariat. The increase in funding is an example of the maintenance of these processes”, he says.
The Secretariat for Policies for Women, in turn, was harmed. From R$25 million predicted for 2024 (always in corrected values), the value rose to R$9.7 million in 2025. The amount actually spent on the portfolio this year is just R$5.4 million. In 2023, spending was almost R$830 million.
The secretariat, headed by Valéria Bolsonaro (PL), is one of the Tarcísio government’s portfolios, in addition to Public Security, handed over to Bolsonaro supporters, who demand more space and prestige.
When he took over the government, Tarcísio reduced the Budget of the João Doria/Rodrigo administration, but, in the year before the election, he sought to recover the budget for areas of communication and political articulation, although without reaching the level of expenditure of his predecessors.
In the case of Communication, the then tucanos predicted spending of R$ 1.5 billion in 2023. Tarcísio spent R$ 110 million and established R$ 155 million (always in corrected values) for this year, although he had already spent R$ 224 million . In 2025, the budgeted amount is R$342 million.
On the other hand, the Secretariat for Investment Partnerships, created by Tarcísio to execute his privatization agenda, grew fatter — it went from R$1.4 billion in 2023 to R$4.5 billion in 2024 and, for 2025, there is R$ 8 billion predicted.
On the other hand, despite the record level and the climate crisis, funds for disaster preparation by the Civil Defense and for the São Paulo Sem Fogo program were reduced in the Budget.
Alex de Madureira states that the cut does not cause harm, as the amounts can be supplemented throughout the year. “It does not mean that the government will discontinue any program or that the department will be harmed.”
Other departments that also saw a reduction in resources were Economic Development (-35%), Metropolitan Transport (-32%) and Agriculture and Supply (-18%). On the other hand, transfers increased to Urban Development and Housing (57%); Environment, Infrastructure and Logistics (44%); Health (20%) and Public Safety (11%).
With an increase of 20% and 2% respectively, the amounts for Health and Education are criticized by the opposition. Recently, the Assembly approved in the first round a PEC (Proposed Amendment to the Constitution) that makes the level of .
The proposal modifies the 1989 Constitution of São Paulo, which obliges the state to spend 30% of tax revenue on education and 12% on health. The change reduces the obligation to 25% in education next year and foresees that the remaining 5% will be allocated to Health.
For opposition deputy Paulo Fiorilo (), the budget proposal reveals a short-term strategy, focused on promoting the government’s image and major infrastructure works, but neglects areas essential for well-being and sustainable development.
“The increase in the Communication portfolio shows that the governor is concerned about increasing spending for next year and, thus, also being able to spend a lot in the election year, increasing the average spending”, says the PT member, in reference to the electoral law , which limits expenses in this area to the average of previous years.
In a note, the government states that the Budget reflects the “São Paulo in the Right Direction” plan, which provides for the modernization of public management and the improvement of public spending.
Regarding the budget for communication, he says that transparency will be strengthened, as well as public benefit campaigns on topics such as organ donation, vaccination and others.
