Miami Mayor Suarez receives backlash after vetoing lifetime pensions for elected city officials

JOSÉ A. IGLESIAS Miami Herald

Decision-making is not an easy feat in a state such as Florida and Miami. For Mayor Francis Suarez, he is well aware of what it means to go against the current. This becomes apparent as Suarez decides to address the lifetime pension for elected officials, a government that was introduced in 1997.

City Commision meetings are currently taking place, as commissioners and officials come out to speak about their opportunity based on merit of accomplishments and services over the years leading to a common word being used - corruption.

In an official statement, Mayor Suarez addresses the decision of veto has also affected him, stating.

“This would have guaranteed me a benefit of over four million dollars. As I approach 16 years of public service, I never expected or sought such a benefit, and I do not believe it is fair for the hardworking, tax-paying residents of this to bear it.”

Mayor Francis Suarez via Instagram

Residents of Miami, Florida were later seen congratulating Mayor Suarez on the decision taken, thus receiving respect for putting “voters first.” 

One topic that received media attention was linked to residents who were paying for the pensions that were given to officials. 

Before the decision was taken, taxpayers were being dealt with pension costs from a previous program in 2009, which has since been frozen. The reason why heightened amounts were being allotted to officials was a result of the service officials have provided to this city.

Several names were mentioned during the voting process, including Commissioner Joe Carollo, who voted in favor of the reinstatement of such lifetime pensions, and Commissioners Damian Pardo and Manolo Reyes, who voted against it. 

Various Commissioners were given the opportunity to opt out of receiving pensions, however most votes were casted given that the decision directly affects those serving in office. Mayor Suarezs’ decision on the veto was left untouched during the City commission meeting on Thursday, ensuring that the decision had a lasting effect rather than expanding commission.

It is important to note that before the City Commision meeting on Thursday, the veto was not officially set in place as they had power to override the mayoral veto with a four-fifths vote.

Miami Commission chairwoman Christine King made her opinion public on Tuesday when a 3-2 decision was going to bring back pensions for elected officials. King stated:

“I’m definitely not in favor of that,” referring to a ballot, “and let me tell you why I’m not in favor of it. Because people are M&M’s: mean and miserable.”

Other issues affecting the city were given space to be discussed during the commission meetings, moving away from the importance that is currently being given to the topic linked to Mayor Suarez. Discussions on what the commissioners and himself deserve on the topic of pensions are presently ongoing.

For more information and live events detailing the latest topics within the commission and city development, make sure to check out the Miami directory for commission agenda.