Brazil governor wants environmental fund to pay pensions
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A major Brazilian daily says the Rio de Janeiro state governor wants to use money earmarked for an environmental fund to cover shortfalls in civil servants' pensions.
A press officer at Gov. Luiz Fernando Pezao's office confirmed the information published Tuesday by the O Globo newspapers.
The newspaper says the money would cover an expected 2016 pension payment deficit of US$3 billion and that the government has pledged that the Rio de Janeiro state treasury would replace the funds.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Rio de Janeiro State Environmental Protection Fund has been used to improve sewage treatment centers and begin cleaning lakes, rivers and Guanabara Bay, a water sports venue for the upcoming Olympic games.
Pezao's proposal must be approved by the State Legislature.