The Miami Herald headline signals a "revolt" where voters "fire" the Mayor. As a result of this rebuke, County Manager George Burgess also tendered his resignation. But do either of them really lose?
Both Mayor Alvarez and Manager Burgess can retire comfortably on their lifetime taxpayer funded pensions after ostensibly being "fired" by the voters.
Let us take Mayor Alvarez for instance. According to the Miami New Times:
Alvarez's FRS pension [amounts to] (approximately $200,000 each year) that he currently receives after retiring from his MDPD Director position. According to his most recent financial disclosure report, Alvarez has a net worth of $1.74 million despite having only worked in the public sector during his career.How anyone can amass such a personal net worth while never working outside government is the fundamental issue that must be addressed as Miami-Dade County brings in a new mayor and manager. The days must end where public service becomes a means to public enrichment.
It may be too late for Alvarez and Burgess, they will enjoy retirement living well from the six figure pensions we will all pay for. But it is not too late for future Mayors and bureaucrats.
Pension reform must happen now, and New Miami Coalition will continue to lead the way to the alarm. We call on Florida Governor Rick Scott to support pension reform for politicians and bureaucrats that earn six figure taxpayer supported salaries.
It is time to restore a sense of shame and honesty to public service. Time to restore common sense and balance, respecting taxpayers, ending the lifetime subsidies of high paid bureaucrats.
