With Hurricane Irma still fresh in their minds, Miami residents on Tuesday voted yes on a big funding measure to protect their city from climate change.
The major port city is set to spend nearly half a billion dollars on projects like storm-drain upgrades, flood pumps, and seawalls, as well as affordable housing and new roads, all measures aimed at bracing for the effects of climate change.
The $400 million approved in the ballot measure in Tuesday’s election comes via a “Miami Forever” general obligation bond, which allows the city government to spend money that it borrows on the municipal bond market, leveraged against property taxes.
It’s a last-minute win for outgoing Mayor Tomás Regalado, a Republican who defied many in his party in championing the effort.
