Carlos-O-Meter: Tracking the promises of Carlos A. Gimenez
Carlos-O-Meter Scorecard
- Promise Kept 6 (%)
- Compromise 3 (%)
- Promise Broken 4 (%)
- In the Works 3 (%)
- Not yet rated 2 (%)
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
Make most county records available online
The Promise:
"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."
Attract new investment and create high-paying quality jobs
The Promise:
"My top priority is job creation. My plan is to attract new investment and create high-paying, quality jobs.
Update November 19th, 2012:
Carlos Gimenez says job creation is a top priority in second term
Cut property taxes
The Promise:
“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.”
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.”
Update November 13th, 2012:
Gimenez delivers rebate but no senior trust fund in second budget
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."
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.
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.”
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.
Cut property taxes
The Promise:
“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.”
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 June 29th, 2012:
Gimenez got union concessions to deliver on promise to reverse raises
Cut property taxes
The Promise:
“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.”
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."
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.
Cut the mayor's salary and benefits
The Promise:
"I'm going to cut the salary and benefits of the mayor by 50 percent."
Conduct an independent audit of the Transit Department
The Promise:
"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."
Update June 29th, 2012:
County fraud audit of transit hasn't happened -- but the feds are investigating
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