Eduardo Leite outlines four priority projects for 2026 in a message to the Rio Grande do Sul State Assembly.

Governor Eduardo Leite (PSD) defined four priority projects for Rio Grande do Sul in 2026: concession of sanitation services for 176 municipalities, recreation of the state lottery, a 5,4% readjustment in the minimum wage for teachers, and the creation of a fund for animal welfare. The presentation took place this Tuesday (February 10th) during the opening ceremony of legislative work at the Rio Grande do Sul Legislative Assembly.

The delivery of the annual message represents the moment when the Executive branch establishes its priority agenda for the legislative period. This was the last message delivered by Leite in his current term, according to a report by Correio do Povo.

The proposals arise in a context of municipalities adapting to the goals of the national basic sanitation legal framework, which sets deadlines for universal access to services. The state government seeks to assist municipalities in finding solutions to meet the legal requirements.

Sanitation for municipalities not served by Corsan.

The sanitation project aims to serve the 176 municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul that lack structured services in this area. Currently, Corsan Aegea serves 317 cities in the state.

“We will submit a project to ensure that municipalities outside the Corsan area can implement solutions to meet the goals of the legal framework for sanitation by 2033. Sanitation is health, dignity, it is also economic development and, above all, the future,” said Leite.

In August 2025, the government of Rio Grande do Sul partnered with the Ministry of Integration and Regional Development to structure a concession project for water supply and sanitation services for these 176 cities.

The legal framework for sanitation establishes that by 2033 Brazil must achieve 99% coverage of drinking water and 90% of treated sewage.

State lottery with a modern model.

Regarding the reintroduction of the state lottery, the governor explained that the proposal aims to generate permanent resources for public policies in the state.

“We will move forward with the recreation of the state lottery, with a modern, transparent, and secure model, debated with this House, to generate permanent resources for public policies. After all, we don't have the autonomy to discuss whether lotteries are allowed or not, whether bets are allowed or not. That's a national matter. Once they are allowed, we understand that we have to discuss a formula in which the resources remain in the state, being invested in what is in the interest of the people of Rio Grande do Sul,” he declared.

The state government is preparing to send a bill to recreate the state lottery at the beginning of this year, although no date has yet been set. However, the proposal is expected to face resistance in the Legislative Assembly, where there are differing opinions among parliamentarians.

Representative Marcus Vinícius (PP), who created the Subcommittee to address the Regulation of Electronic Sports Betting, expressed his support for the initiative. “I think it’s very important for the State, as a complement to public services. It will be possible to allocate resources to hospitals, or even create specific ticket lines,” the legislator argued.

On the other hand, the opposition leader, Deputy Miguel Rossetto (PT), criticized the proposal. “It’s scandalous. Eleven women were killed in January alone in the state. President Lula is rightly taking the initiative for a national pact so that all branches of government can mobilize society and confront this dramatic situation, while Eduardo Leite is focusing on lottery discussions,” he stated.

Salary adjustment for teachers already underway.

Bill 38/2026, which deals with the readjustment of teachers' salaries, was submitted on Monday (February 9th). The proposal provides for a 5,4% increase in the salaries of teachers in the state public school system.

“We sent a bill to the deputies for approval with the decision to fully implement the readjustment of the national minimum wage for teachers, as we have done every year of our government. The full payment of the teachers' minimum wage without the need for salary supplementation is a practice achieved by our government and deserves to be preserved,” Leite emphasized.

Fund for animal welfare

The bill for the animal welfare fund was submitted on an expedited basis, indicating priority in its processing. The initiative is led by Vice-Governor Gabriel Souza (MDB).

“We are also urgently forwarding the creation of the state animal welfare fund, led by Vice-Governor Gabriel Souza (MDB), because protecting those who have no voice is also the responsibility of the State,” concluded the governor.

The ceremony took place at the Piratini Palace, the seat of the state government, with the presence of deputies and authorities. The sanitation and state lottery recreation projects will be formalized in the coming weeks.