Miami Beach Commissioners Repeal 1 Percent Homeless and Domestic Violence Tax Measure on Ballot Amid Early Voting – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports

MIAMI BEACH, FL. (WSVN) – In a 4-3 vote, the Miami Beach commission decided to strike down a ballot measure that would have authorized a 1 percent food and beverage tax for domestic violence and homelessness services. The decision comes as early voting is underway.

At a commission meeting Wednesday, Miami Beach officials voted to block the measure, meaning any votes that have already been cast will not be counted.

“This tax increase is going to punish them,” said Commissioner David Suarez.

Mayor Steven Meiner, along with some commissioners, expressed concern about where the sales tax would go.

The measure was originally approved to go to a vote by the previous committee in July 2023 and would have generated an estimated $10 million annually for the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust and local domestic violence centers.

“I never knew it was going to be on the ballot, and frankly, I was shocked when I saw it on the ballot and when I saw the campaign starting to take off,” Commissioner Kristen Gonzalez said. “I felt very helpless.”

The goal was to address a major problem in the city.

“It’s a stacked package. Big money faces zero opposition and voters are being misled by a vested interest claiming a tax increase under the guise of compassion,” said Commissioner David Suarez.

However, during the meeting, the majority of the committee said that they did not like the idea of reaching an organization that they did not consider to be completely transparent.

“This proposed homeless tax is a master class in bad governance. Ask yourself, why developers invest big money in this. It is not out of compassion or charity. It’s a money grab,” said Commissioner David Suarez. “It’s like a reverse Robin Hood taking good, hard-working hospitality businesses that aren’t luxury hotels and handing it right into the hands of billionaire developers, lobbyists and special interests.”

Taxes are almost always controversial, but taking them off the ballot and telling voters their votes won’t count is another matter.

“I don’t think it’s the right to take that away from the voters at this point. I think there are unintended consequences that could happen to our budget otherwise, and I also don’t think it’s fair to partner with the rest of the region on this tax because homelessness is not a problem unique to Miami Beach. It’s a regional issue,” said Miami Beach Vice Mayor Alex Fernandez.

The question will still appear on ballots, but notices will be placed at polling stations to inform voters that the results will not be counted.