A Recall Effort in Miami-Dade: Pros and Cons
<b>Update</b>: December 16, 2012 (see below)<br>
<br>
The news has been full of information about billionaires sponsoring,
secretly and publicly, independent ads supporting and attacking
candidates as well as ballot initiatives. For instance, according to <a href="http://www.followthemoney.org/press/ReportView.phtml?r=437&PHPSESSID=46…; target="”_blank”">a
new report from the National Institute on Money in State Politics</a>,
the top 20 richest Americans and their companies contributed $22.6
million to state-level candidates and political committees from 2005
through 2008.<br>
<br>
But what are these billionaires doing at the local level? According to <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/11/05/1909557/for-mayor-the-odds-arent-…; target="”_blank”">an
article in the Miami <i>Herald</i></a>, in Miami-Dade County <a href="http://www.forbes.com/lists/2008/54/400list08_Norman-Braman_J4LL.html&q…; target="”_blank”">one
billionaire</a> is using his financial punch to fund a recall effort
against the mayor. A year ago, he backed another candidate, the mayor
of the city of Miami, and since that didn't work, he's trying again.<br>
<br>
Recalls appear to be the perfect way to ensure an elected official's
accountability. Even the threat of recall should keep an elected
official from ignoring the public interest.<br>
<br>
But there are problems with this seemingly perfect activity. One is
that, because it is very expensive to do, it favors the opinions of the
wealthy and corporate interests. For instance, in this case the biggest
reason for the recall effort is the government's raising of property
taxes; this harms everyone, but most of all those who own a lot of
property.<br>
<br>
But this recall, like most recalls, isn't just about policy. The county
commission also voted for the property tax hike, but there is no recall
effort against the commission majority. One reason, apparently, is that
some of them are political colleagues of the city mayor, whom the
billionaire supports. Policies may be what is talked about, but
politics is usually what drives a recall effort. It is the perfect
thing for poor losers to do while they're waiting for the next election.<br>
<br>
Speaking of election, another problem with recalls is the recall
election itself. It's a special election. Not only are special
elections expensive (the billionaire won't be paying for the election;
taxpayers will), but few people vote in them. And guess who is more
likely to vote: those who really want the bum out, or those who
want to let him see his term out? The <i>Herald</i> article notes that most
recall efforts that get on the ballot end up being successful.<br>
<br>
The Eye on Miami blog made a good point in <a href="http://eyeonmiami.blogspot.com/2010/09/do-you-think-norman-braman-will-…; target="”_blank”">a
September 23 post</a>. It noted that a Miami-Dade county commissioner
was recalled, and then re-elected. In other words, even popular officials can be recalled. The effort ends up just being disruptive.<br>
<br>
The blog calls on the billionaire to
drop the recall effort and instead educate voters about the mayor and
commissioners' poor decisions and set up a watchdog group to provide
ongoing oversight. In the long run, this would be far more valuable
than a recall. But that's a good government approach, and recall is a
political approach. A political approach is different in that it takes
sides.<br>
<br>
It is depressing to see that extremely wealthy individuals are taking
over citizen initiatives at the local level, just as at the state
level. What was intended to be a way for citizens to act when an
elected official gets out of control is now just another tactic for
individuals to either push their own agenda or get political revenge.
In other words, it's a way for an unelected individual to put his
personal interest ahead of the public interest, seeking accountability
from others, but not from himself.<br>
<br>
<b>Update</b>: December 16, 2012<br>
According to <a href="http://www.economist.com/news/americas/21565929-referendum-too-far-mayo…; target="”_blank”">an article in the <i>Economist</i></a>, in Lima, Peru a recall law is being used against a new mayor who has been trying to curb corruption. It appears that much of the support for the recall effort is coming from the corrupt businesses and politicians who will benefit from having her out of office.<br>
<br>
Robert Wechsler<br>
Director of Research-Retired, City Ethics<br>
<br>
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