The article analyzes the reform of the apparel of State of Maranhão accomplished in 1998, for the then governor Roseana Sarney as part of wide process of neoliberal reform directed by the federal government. Roseana Sarney was the first governor to implement the model of reform of the State drive by president Fernando Henrique Cardoso, presenting Maranhão as model to be followed by the other states of the federation. It is understood that process meant a reinforcement of the ideological mechanisms of legitimation of the political power of the group led by José Sarney, besides guaranteeing the neoliberal bases of reproduction of the capital.