# Law No. 2954 of November 17, 1956 > Brazilian law **Wikidata**: [Q105648986](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105648986) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-2954-of-november-17-1956 ## Summary Law No. 2954 of November 17, 1956, is a Brazilian statute enacted during the presidency of Juscelino Kubitschek to address specific fiscal and administrative measures, including special budgetary adjustments and debt management. It primarily targeted financial operations in the state of São Paulo and the Ministry of Health, reflecting broader efforts to stabilize public finances during Brazil’s developmentalist era. As a public domain legal instrument, it remains accessible via official government portals. ## Key Facts - **Enactment Date:** November 17, 1956. - **Approved By:** President Juscelino Kubitschek (1949–1955; 1956–1961). - **Jurisdiction:** Federative Republic of Brazil. - **Primary Subjects:** Special budgetary adjustments, debt management, financial operations in São Paulo, and Ministry of Health expenditures. - **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 2954/1956. - **Publication Details:** Published in Rio de Janeiro, the federal capital at the time. - **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese. - **Access:** Available via the Planalto Government Portal and LexML Brazil (URN: `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1956-11-17;2954`). - **Focus Areas:** Municipal funding, payment settlements, and fiscal accountability. - **Historical Context:** Part of Kubitschek’s "50 Years of Progress in 5" modernization agenda. - **Connected Entities:** State of São Paulo, Ministry of Health, Brazilian Presidency. ## FAQs **What was the primary purpose of Law No. 2954?** This law aimed to authorize special financial measures, including credit adjustments and debt management, to support public projects in São Paulo and healthcare initiatives under the Ministry of Health. **Who approved Law No. 2954?** It was promulgated by President Juscelino Kubitschek on November 17, 1956, as part of his administration’s economic policies. **Which regions or institutions did the law target?** Key beneficiaries included the state of São Paulo and the Ministry of Health, addressing fiscal needs at both state and federal levels. **Is the law still relevant today?** While specific provisions may have been superseded, it remains a historical artifact of Brazil’s mid-20th-century developmentalist policies and is accessible for legal reference. **How can the law be accessed?** The full text is available via the Brazilian Government’s official portal (`https://www.planalto.gov.br`) and the LexML database. ## Why It Matters Law No. 2954 of 1956 is significant for its role in shaping Brazil’s public financial framework during a period of rapid industrialization and urbanization. By authorizing special budgetary measures, it facilitated infrastructure and healthcare investments critical to Kubitschek’s modernization agenda, including the eventual construction of Brasília. The law also underscores the historical tension between federal and state fiscal responsibilities, particularly in São Paulo, Brazil’s economic hub. Its focus on debt management and payment settlements reflects broader efforts to stabilize Brazil’s economy amid growth-driven spending, influencing later fiscal policies and accountability mechanisms. ## Notable For - **Developmentalism in Action:** Embodied President Kubitschek’s push for accelerated economic growth through targeted public spending. - **São Paulo Focus:** Highlighted the state’s economic importance and its infrastructure needs during Brazil’s industrial boom. - **Healthcare Funding:** Directed resources to the Ministry of Health during a period of expanding public services. - **Public Domain Accessibility:** Exemplifies Brazil’s tradition of open legal documentation, ensuring transparency in governance. - **Mid-Century Fiscal Policy:** Represents a key legislative response to the financial challenges of Brazil’s "economic miracle" era. ## Body ### Legislative Context Law No. 2954 was enacted on November 17, 1956, under President Juscelino Kubitschek, a pivotal figure in Brazil’s developmentalist era (1956–1961). The law aligned with his "50 Years of Progress in 5" platform, which prioritized industrialization, infrastructure, and urban development. By authorizing special budgetary adjustments, the legislation enabled flexible financial management to support projects like the construction of Brasília (inaugurated in 1960) and expansions in healthcare and education. ### Key Provisions - **Special Budgetary Adjustments:** Authorized exceptional financial measures to address urgent public needs, including infrastructure gaps in São Paulo and operational costs for the Ministry of Health. - **Debt Management:** Established protocols for settling debts incurred by municipal and state entities, ensuring fiscal stability amid rapid economic growth. - **Funding Allocation:** Directed resources to São Paulo—a critical economic hub—and the Ministry of Health, reflecting national priorities in development and public welfare. ### Historical Significance The law exemplifies the developmentalist policies of 1950s Brazil, which emphasized state-driven growth through strategic investments. It complemented Kubitschek’s flagship projects, such as the automotive industry expansion and the Amazonas Operation, while addressing regional disparities. By targeting São Paulo, the law acknowledged the state’s role as an industrial powerhouse and its infrastructure demands, including transportation networks and public services. ### Jurisdiction and Enforcement As a federal statute, Law No. 2954 applied nationwide but prioritized São Paulo and federal health initiatives. Its enforcement relied on cooperation between federal agencies, state governments, and municipalities, setting a precedent for intergovernmental fiscal coordination. The law’s provisions were implemented through subsequent regulatory decrees, ensuring alignment with broader economic plans like the 1957–1960 National Development Plan. ### Legacy and Accessibility Though many of its measures were temporary or replaced by later reforms, Law No. 2954 remains a reference for scholars studying Brazil’s economic history. Its publication in Rio de Janeiro (the pre-1960 capital) and preservation in the LexML database (`urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1956-11-17;2954`) ensure its accessibility as a primary source. The law’s public domain status—in line with Brazil’s open-government principles—supports transparency and academic research into mid-20th-century fiscal policy. ### Connected Entities - **Presidency of Juscelino Kubitschek:** The law reflected his administration’s economic strategy, which balanced growth with social spending. - **State of São Paulo:** Benefited from targeted financial measures to sustain its industrial and agricultural output. - **Ministry of Health:** Received funding to expand services amid urbanization-driven public health challenges. - **LexML Brazil:** The law is cataloged in this national legal database, ensuring its preservation and citability. ### Comparative Context Law No. 2954 contrasts with later austerity measures, such as the 1964 military regime’s economic policies, by prioritizing proactive fiscal intervention. It also prefigured modern budgetary laws, such as the 2019 Fiscal Responsibility Law, by emphasizing accountability in public spending. Its focus on regional development parallels contemporary initiatives like the Amazon Fund, underscoring Brazil’s longstanding challenge of balancing economic growth with equitable resource distribution. ## References 1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1956-11-17;2954) 2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=2954&ano=1956&data=17/11/1956&ato=9c9o3aE90dNRVT9de)