Carlos-O-Meter: Tracking the promises of Carlos A. Gimenez
PolitiFact Florida has compiled promises that Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez made during the 2011 campaign and is tracking their progress on our Carlos-O-Meter.
We rate their status as Not Yet Rated, In the Works or Stalled. Once we find action is completed, we rate them Promise Kept, Compromise or Promise Broken. (See About the Carlos-O-Meter for details on our ratings.)
The report card at right provides an up-to-the-minute tally of all the promises.
Browse the Carlos-O-Meter:
Promises we’ve rated recently
Create term limits
The Promise:
"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."
Create term limits
The Promise:
"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."
Create term limits
The Promise:
"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."
Make recall process easier
The Promise:
Repeal any current non-charter restriction governing recall process and force any future restriction to be approved by voters.
No layoffs for police; no closed fire stations
The Promise:
Gimenez "pledged to maintain services and not lay off police officers" or close fire stations.
Make recall process easier
The Promise:
Repeal any current non-charter restriction governing recall process and force any future restriction to be approved by voters.
No layoffs for police; no closed fire stations
The Promise:
Gimenez "pledged to maintain services and not lay off police officers" or close fire stations.
Restore federal grant transit funding
The Promise:
"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."
Create Seniors First Trust Fund
The Promise:
“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.”
Post mayor's calendar on the Internet
The Promise:
"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."
No layoffs for police; no closed fire stations
The Promise:
Gimenez "pledged to maintain services and not lay off police officers" or close fire stations.
Update December 8th, 2011:
Miami-Dade approves contracts with police officers and firefighters
Create term limits
The Promise:
"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."
Post mayor's calendar on the Internet
The Promise:
"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."
Update November 2nd, 2011:
Gimenez posts calendar on the Internet, but promised more than that
Reduce the office of mayor by 10 percent
The Promise:
"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."
Update October 10th, 2011:
Carlos Gimenez cut his office budget -- but he didn't backfill Gov. Rick Scott's veto
Take back raises
The Promise:
"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.”
Update October 10th, 2011:
Carlos Gimenez cuts non-union paychecks and seeks union concessions
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