Voters reject Miami-Dade courthouse financing

The proposed $390 million bond to help fund construction of a new Miami-Dade courthouse was struck down by county voters, while an expansion plan for Florida International University easily passed the 60 percent threshold.

As of Wednesday morning, the courthouse measure had 64 percent “no” voters and only 36 percent in favor of the funding, which would have been covered by a property tax increase. Supporters cited the existing downtown Miami civil courthouse’s issues with leaks, mold and overcrowding.

The outcome is “a clear mandate against burdening taxpayers for Miami-Dade County’s mismanagement,” Miami-Dade School Board member Raquel Regalado told the Miami Herald. “It’s an indictment against the county’s lack of planning.”

FIU’s expansion was approved by 65 percent of voters. The university now must find a comparable location for the county’s Youth Fair so it can take over the 64 acres the nonprofit presently occupies.

“The voters want more and better educational opportunities at FIU and for the community,” FIU President Mark Rosenberg said. “I think the voters understand education and jobs go together.” [Miami Herald] — Eric Kalis