Penelas regain the initiative with his Plan B proposal which adopts the Alonso and Diaz plan regarding the dedicated funding source. Plan B also changes the focus of the transportation plan away from the unpopular metro rail (although one more station is still slated to be built) and instead pour moines into roads and buses.
County commission will not met in August.
Miami's Cuban elite has not moved to stop the chaos at city hall. Most of the city's business elite are not to willing to become involve in what's becoming an increasingly bitter political battle. Currently, the main opponents to the charter change referendum are the employees unions (city, fire and police). Tom Gabriel of the firefighters associations has become the most visible opponent to the proposed changes. A coalition of Brickell residents are also organizing against the referendum.
The anti referendum forces are pursing a three prong assault on the
referendum. First, they asked the state over sight board which was
created to oversee Miami's finances to prevent the referendum election
by denying the city request for the necessary $50,000. They argued
that the political instability created by the proposed charter changes
have added to the city's financial crisis. The over-sight board
rejected the argument by a 2-3 vote on August 25, 1999. The employees
union are also challenging the legality of the proposal changes in court.
Although, a law suit has yet to be filed. Finally, the employees
union, residents, and political allies of the mayor are forming a Political
Action Committee to contest the election.
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