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Gimenez: Cut Taxes, Wasteful Spending As Mayor

MIAMI (CBS4) - Miami-Dade mayoral candidate Carlos Gimenez has promised to cut taxes and take back raises if he's voted into office in the June 28th special election.

Anticipating the challenge of presenting a balanced budget 17 days after the election, Gimenez said one of the first things he would do is eliminate the tax increases passed before former mayor Carlos Alvarez was recalled from office.

Gimenez also vowed to cut the mayor's position salary and benefits by 50 percent and reduce the size of the mayor's office.

"Our government is just too big and too expensive. Taxpayers want and deserve a government we can afford," said Gimenez in a written statement. "Even with all of these cuts, we must take back the raises that Carlos Alvarez gave. With more than 70 percent of the County's operating budget comprised of salaries and benefits, this budget can't be balanced otherwise."

Gimenez also said as mayor he would protect the programs which help the most vulnerable in the community.

"I will create a Seniors First Trust Fund to assure that the elderly continue to have access to warm meals and I will extend the low-income seniors property tax rebate program of $100 for next year," said Gimenez.

Gimenez said he knows it will be a challenge to balance the county's budget in such a short amount of time, but he's ready for the challenge.

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