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Miami mayor vetoes commision decision to grant lifetime pensions to elected officials

A man speaks at a news conference.
Wilfredo Lee
/
AP
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez speaks during a news conference June 12, 2023, in Miami. Suarez is running for president in 2024 and filed paperwork Wednesday, June 14, with the Federal Election Commission to make his bid official.

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez on Wednesday vetoed a city commission decision to grant lifetime pensions for elected officials.

The veto comes a week after the Miami city commission voted to revive a pension program that had been frozen during the 2008-2009 financial crisis.

“As Mayor and a former city commissioner, I have historically been opposed to a publicly funded pension system for elected officials,” wrote Suarez in his veto message.

“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, taxpaying residents of this city o bear it.”

In his veto message, Suarez said he stood to gain $4 million from the pension benefit.

The five-member city commission can still override the mayor's veto with a four-fifths vote.

READ MORE: If the Watson Island deals pass, what will Miami do with the money?

This is a News In Brief report. Visit WLRN News for in-depth reporting from South Florida and Florida news.

Ammy Sanchez is the Morning Edition producer for WLRN. She graduated with her bachelor's degree in communications from the Honors College at Florida International University.
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