MIAMI – Miami Beach voters are reacting to a decision made by city commissioners regarding a question on their ballot about a proposed 1% food and beverage tax aimed at funding homeless and domestic violence services.
The measure, known as Referendum 8, was revoked by elected officials after it had already been placed on the ballot for the Nov. 5 election.
CBS News Miami reported that more than 20,000 voters had already cast their ballots before the referendum was removed. Many of them may not be aware that their votes on that question will no longer count.
The decision to rescind the measure came before 11 a.m. Wednesday, led by Commissioner David Suarez.
Suarez argued that the 1% tax would negatively impact small businesses and that the funds raised would benefit a homeless trust that operates outside of Miami Beach, rather than addressing local needs.
Other commissioners criticized the timing of the removal, calling it disrespectful to voters who were already participating in the election.
The final decision rested with Mayor Steve Meiner, who defended the move. “This ballot measure would have increased taxes on our residents and on our businesses and would go to a trust which is outside of our control,” said Meiner.
Commissioner Alex Fernandez, however, expressed concern about the decision, stating, “It is undemocratic to send a question about a tax to the voters and then take the question away from the voters while they are actively voting.”
Despite these differing views, the removal of Referendum 8 has left voters uncertain about the status of their votes on the issue.
