The president of the Legislative Assembly of Mato Grosso, Deputy Max Russi (PSB), recently addressed the motion of rejection that was approved in the Chamber of Cuiabá against state deputies who overturned the veto of Governor Mauro Mendes (União). This veto was related to a project that permits the operation of small markets within prison units. In a firm tone, Russi asserted that the Chamber's decision carries a political bias, referencing the historical reputation of the House by dubbing it the 'House of Horrors.'
Russi's comments came after Councilor Dilemário Alencar (União) proposed the motion, which was passed by 14 councilors. This motion is set to be forwarded to the Legislative Assembly as a response to the recent vote that upheld the permission for selling items in small markets inside Mato Grosso's prisons. The voting in the Assembly was conducted in secret, making it impossible to identify the 13 deputies who voted to overturn the veto; however, Deputy Lúdio Cabral (PT) publicly announced his vote in favor of the veto's rejection.
Max Russi believes that the motion is politically motivated, particularly as many Cuiabá parliamentarians are expected to run as candidates in the upcoming elections. He remarked, “It’s more of a political move. How many councilors will be running for the Assembly next year? The one who made the request is running again. He lost the election and now seeks all arguments and ways possible to discredit those in the Assembly and promote himself. That’s part of it.”
Addressing the issue of small markets in prisons, Russi emphasized the need for a secret vote on governmental vetoes to maintain legislative autonomy. He clarified that the Assembly's authorization for these markets does not permit the sale of luxury items but is aimed at providing access to basic necessities. “The Assembly authorized the sale of what is necessary. What is necessary? Soap, toothpaste, sanitary pads for women. Some think women should go without that in prison. That’s the minimum,” he stated. He further assured that if items like ice cream, Nutella, or fancy flip-flops are sold, the Assembly will take action, asserting, “We will not accept the sale of anything superfluous inside the prisons.”
Russi also highlighted the diversity within the prison population, mentioning cases of injustice and referencing the individuals involved in the events of January 8, for whom many are advocating for amnesty. “There are heinous crimes that we might wish had a death penalty or something similar because those are people who shouldn’t even be in jail, but we have people there who may have been judged unfairly. We have those from January 8, for whom many preach amnesty. There are all types of prisoners,” he remarked.
In a related development, Max Russi expressed his support for the approval of the Complementary Law Project that would allow the Sociedade Beneficente Israelita Brasileira Albert Einstein to take over the management of the Central Hospital in Cuiabá. This proposal, authored by Governor Mauro Mendes, is expected to be voted on today, April 16, 2025. Russi views this measure as a significant step towards improving public health in the state.
During a press interview, Russi acknowledged the presence of a 'mafia' within the health sector of Mato Grosso, which he claims has obstructed meaningful advancements in healthcare. He perceives the partnership with the Hospital Albert Einstein as a vital opportunity to confront and dismantle these entrenched interests. “We won’t solve all the problems at once, but it will be a great leap forward,” he stated.
Max Russi emphasized that collaboration with the Hospital Albert Einstein could enhance service quality, promote professional training among healthcare workers, and ultimately transform patient care. He commented on the amendments proposed by Deputy Lúdio Cabral (PT), who has raised questions about certain sections of the project and is demanding stronger public oversight of the hospital’s management. Russi confirmed that there was an agreement in place to ensure the vote takes place today, following a public hearing requested by Cabral.
“Lúdio is the deputy who has studied this project the most. He’s knowledgeable, presented relevant amendments, and did an excellent technical job,” Russi praised, though he did not rule out the possibility of Cabral requesting a delay (view) if he feels there are still points needing clarification. Nevertheless, the president of the Legislative Assembly made it clear that he intends to expedite the legislative process. “If he asks for a view today, I’ll call a new session tomorrow. If necessary, we’ll convene on Saturday, April 19, or even on Monday, April 21, which is Tiradentes holiday,” he concluded.