Everyone Is Power Hungry at City Hall

Miami-Dade County Commission Chairman Bruno Barreiro was one of the strongest voices against last year's strong mayor referendum. But apparently he's not against the idea of concentrating too much power in one public official. Now, he's proposing that the duties of his job be expanded as well. Hypocritical? Oh, just a tad bit.

Currently the chairperson is in power for only a single two-year term. Barreiro wants to remove those term limits, conveniently, five months before his own term is up. He also wants the chairperson to be able to put some items directly on the agenda rather than refer them to committee first, as is the practice now.

But -- unlike the Strong Mayor referendum -- voters will not have a say. Instead the commission will decide on the matter. Thankfully the other commissioners are all power hungry, so they'll probably nix the idea. Why> It would diminish their own chances of being chairperson.

--Kyle Munzenrieder