Miami Mayor Francis Suarez on Wednesday vetoed a city commission decision to grant lifetime pensions for elected officials.
The veto comes a week after the Miami city commission voted to revive a pension program that had been frozen during the 2008-2009 financial crisis.
鈥淎s Mayor and a former city commissioner, I have historically been opposed to a publicly funded pension system for elected officials,鈥 wrote Suarez in his veto message.
鈥淎s I approach 16 years of public service, I never expected or sought such a benefit, and I do not believe it is fair for the hardworking, taxpaying residents of this city o bear it.鈥
In his veto message, Suarez said he stood to gain $4 million from the pension benefit.
The five-member city commission can still override the mayor's veto with a four-fifths vote.
READ MORE: If the Watson Island deals pass, what will Miami do with the money?
This is a News In Brief report. Visit SA国际传谋 News for in-depth reporting from South Florida and Florida news.