This paper analyses the performance of Rio Grande do Sul cities based on economic and financial indicators from 1997 to 2005 aiming at assessing the impact of the so-called Fiscal Responsibility Law (FRL) on financial performance and budget execution. Nine indicators were employed and through a regression using panel data it was estimated the changes on those indicators after the introduction of the FRL. The results show that seven out of the nine indicators had a better performance due to the FRL, as expected by the theory.
Fiscal Responsibility Law; budget; public finances
