County Commissioner Carlos Gimenez suggests, in a letter to the Editor of the Miami Herald, that we repeal the transit tax. He says:
On Nov. 5, 2002, Miami-Dade County voters approved a half-cent sales tax under The People's Transportation Plan. The PTP promised to construct eight extensions to the Metrorail system, vastly expand the bus system, improve traffic flow, and provide seniors with free public transportation.
Voters were promised in campaign literature and public meetings that tax revenue would be used solely for new projects. To ensure that the money would be used as promised, a Citizen's Independent Transportation Trust (CITT) would be created. Recognizing the importance of the plan, voters approved the surtax. They understood the need and, more importantly trusted that the dollars would be used as intended.
Unfortunately, the CITT, when created by the County Commission, lacked the power to safeguard the surtax. As a result, PTP dollars were increasingly used to fund existing operations of Miami-Dade Transit, while dollars intended for new projects diminished. Critics, myself included, have contended that the county knew from the beginning that the promises it made could not be kept.
On March 3, 2009, in an effort to finally end the charade, the majority of my colleagues approved a resolution officially allowing the use of surtax funds to operate and maintain the entire transit system. So the People's Transportation Plan, as approved by the voters, no longer exists.
Time and again Miami-Dade voters have responsibly and generously chosen to tax themselves to fund needs in our community. By failing to keep our promises on the PTP, we are ensuring that voters never again trust us to do what we say. It is imperative we regain and preserve that trust.
Given that county government broke its 2002 agreement with the voters, it is only right that they be given a chance to either support the county's recent actions or eliminate the tax altogether. On Tuesday I will be asking my colleagues to support a ballot question in the next countywide election giving voters that choice.
As former chair of the county's Regional Transportation Committee, I am painfully aware of funding shortages in the Transit department. However, in this classic case of bait and switch, the ends do not justify the means. Yes, Transit will receive more money now, but is eroding the public's confidence in county government worth that cost? I think not.
9 comments:
I voted against the tax knowing how past promises never materialize. I will vote in favor of appealing the transit tax if it makes it to the ballot. Maybe I am too optomistic.
Great for Carlos Gimenez. He speaks the truth. County administrators deceived the voters and the taxpayers. The tax should be repealed.
Alex Penellas and George Burgess and now Carlos Alvarez consistently lie to get money from the taxpayers to line the pockets of their insider friends. We all know 7-9 commissioners will always vote against the interests of the taxpayers.
That is our unreformable majority!!
And the commissioners don't understand why the people will not give them a raise. Burgess can dance with the best of them. He was the master of the transit tax shell game. County staff was sent out to "sell" it to the public, some were duped, others knew it was a bait and switch. This county will never get better until we have new commissioners. Good for Gimenez for calling it like it is. But remember, he was not a commissioner when it was passed so his hands are clean on this one. He is the only commissioner who can admit the tax was a bum deal because he did not do it. Nevertheless, he is to be commended for speaking the truth. Makes a good sound bit for a mayoral run.
Gimenez is a breath of fresh air in that dank county commission chamber. I will be watching Tuesday to see what they do.
unfortunately, believe most of his comments are motivated by his intention to run for office. He is simply a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Thanks Joe Martinez, glad to know you are reading our blog.
last anon,to bad gimenez has a record on this issue from his first year in office, way before his coming run, and he has been entirely consistent advocating not using ptp for operations and maintenance,rather use it for what we voted for, expansion of the existing system, and pushing for more power for the CITT.
I think it is time the county Manager and Mayor are held accountable for their lack oversight of taxpayer funds. Otherwise it will be business as usual where the taxpayers(suckers)foot the bill for government running amock. Where is the "strong mayor" that promised to end all the waste? I for one back Gimenez's idea and it is refreshing to see that at least one of the commissioners has the backbone to stand up to government waste and fraud.
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