Carlos-O-Meter

Tracking the promises of Carlos A. Gimenez

“I will cut the tax rate by eliminating the Alvarez tax increases. Our government is just too big and too expensive. Taxpayers want and deserve a government we can afford. We need to eliminate duplication, eliminate unfilled positions and focus on essential services.”

"One of my top priorities is to reorganize and consolidate county departments, bringing the total number to no more that 25 – the same as the State of Florida. By eliminating unnecessary departments we can reduce the tax burden on Miami-Dade residents."

"We must take back the raises that Carlos Alvarez gave. With more than 70 percent of the County’s operating budget comprised of salaries and benefits, this budget can’t be balanced otherwise.”

"I'm going to cut the salary and benefits of the mayor by 50 percent."

"I will immediately reduce the Office of the Mayor, currently budgeted at $7.3 million, by 10 percent in order to fill the $730,298 gap created by (Gov. Rick Scott's) veto."

Gimenez "pledged to maintain services and not lay off police officers" or close fire stations.

"As Mayor, I will ensure that Metrorail, Metromover and Metrobus continue to provide clean, safe, uninterrupted and cost-effective service to the hundreds of thousands of riders who rely on them every day – for work, for school or to just get around town – by: Conducting a full independent external audit of the department to determine exactly where waste, inefficiencies and duplication exist, and implement reforms and strict standards of accountability."

"My plan for dealing with the Transit Department includes: Working with the Transit Administration to fully resolve the current issues and restore federal grant funding."

"One of my goals is to move Miami-Dade County government toward a paperless system of record keeping, aided by computer technology, which would make most records available online."

Repeal any current non-charter restriction governing recall process and force any future restriction to be approved by voters.

Revamp the county commission by reducing the number of commissioners from 13 to nine ... and preserve political diversity by creating seven district county commissioner and two at-large commissioners.

"For years, I have tried to get before the voters a charter amendment for two 4-year terms. In addition to offering more choices for voters, term limits eliminate the advantages of incumbency, break ties to special interests, improve the tendency for elected officials to vote their conscience rather than engage in quid pro quo, and open the door to fresh thinking and new ideas. In short, term limits inhibit political careerism. One of my goals as county mayor would be to make sure an 'eight is enough' law is irrevocably put in place."

Gimenez said he would veto an effort to strike down benefits currently offered by the county allowing its unmarried employees to buy health insurance for their partners, and for the couples to visit each other in jail and in the hospital.

"Today I am renewing my call for the creation of a Miami-Dade County Illegal Gambling Task Force to work with local, state and federal law enforcement to address the proliferation of illegal gambling machines. These illicit slot-style machines are affecting our quality of life throughout the county; negatively impacting small, family-owned businesses; and stealing millions of dollars from our neediest residents. Most ominously, they are typically associated with organized crime."

“I will create a Seniors First Trust Fund to assure that the elderly continue to have access to warm meals and I will extend the low-income seniors property tax rebate program of $100 for next year.”

Avoid conflicts in interests in county lobbying activities by requiring public disclosures related to lobbying activities and prohibiting any person or entity who lobbies on the county's behalf from lobbying county government on behalf of others during such county representation.

"I would also post my calendar on the Internet. Everyone should be able to see who I am meeting with and what we are discussing."

"My top priority is job creation. My plan is to attract new investment and create high-paying, quality jobs.