Fact Check: Miami officials could gain an extra $100,000 salary by extending their terms!

Fact Check: "Miami officials could gain an extra $100,000 salary by extending their terms!"

What We Know

Recently, the Miami City Commission voted to postpone the upcoming November election to 2026, a decision that has been described by critics as a "power grab." This change means that current elected officials, including Mayor Francis Suarez and Commissioner Joe Carollo, will serve an additional year in office, effectively extending their terms. As a result, they will also receive an extra year of salary, which amounts to approximately $100,000 each (Miami Herald).

The move to change the election date from odd to even years is aimed at increasing voter turnout, but it has raised significant concerns regarding its legality and the motivations behind it. Critics argue that this decision should have been put to a public vote, as required by the city charter, which stipulates that municipal elections occur in odd years (Miami Herald).

Analysis

The claim that Miami officials could gain an extra $100,000 salary by extending their terms is supported by the recent actions of the Miami City Commission. The commission's decision to postpone the election means that current officials will remain in office for an additional year, thus receiving an additional year's salary. This is a straightforward interpretation of the financial implications of the decision (Miami Herald).

However, the legitimacy of this action is contested. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has stated that the city does not have the authority to change the election date without voter approval, which raises questions about the legality of the commission's decision (Miami Herald). The city attorney, George Wysong, argues that the decision is legal and cites precedents from other municipalities, which adds complexity to the situation (Miami Herald).

The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is high, as they come from reputable news outlets and official statements. The Miami Herald, in particular, has a strong track record of covering local government issues and providing in-depth analysis of political events.

Conclusion

The claim that Miami officials could gain an extra $100,000 salary by extending their terms is True. The decision to postpone the election directly results in current officials serving an additional year, which translates to an additional salary of approximately $100,000 each. While the legality of this decision is under scrutiny, the financial implications are clear and supported by credible sources.

Fact Check: Miami officials could gain an extra $100,000 salary by extending their terms!