Miami is a fast paced community with a rapid fire news cycle. Our blog keeps you current on the most important issues affecting the tax payers of Miami-Dade county. Read, share, comment, and as always let us know what topics you want us to tackle.
Debbie Mucarsel-Powell is on a roll to rollover Rick Scott for Florida Senate
Former Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell — who is running to unseat U.S. Sen. Rick Scott — is certainly gaining momentum as the days tick off to the Nov. 5 election. She’s on a 75-city tour across the state of Florida — one stop for every time Rick Scott pled the fifth after overseeing one of the largest Medicare frauds in the history of this country — and within “striking distance” in recent polls.
Stopping in Tampa today, she out-raised the Republican millionaire in the last quarter by $1.7 million.
Absentee or mail-in ballots begin to arrive in Miami-Dade voters’ homes
Look in your mailbox. If you’re one of the people who get absentee or vote-by-mail ballots from the Miami-Dade Elections Department, you could be getting one this week. At least 260,000 went out Monday.
That’s less than half of the 530,000 ballots mailed out for the 2020 general in just the first mailing, according to figures provided by the department’s deputy director, Roberto Rodriguez, who said another 20K to 30K will be sent next. Even the August 2020 primary had more ABs sent to voters, with 332,000 going out in the first batch.
Miami’s Alex Diaz de la Portilla is living beyond his means in divorce affidavit
In court papers filed last week for his divorce, former Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla — who was arrested a year ago on 12 felonies including bribery and money laundering — claims he earns only $4,000 a month as a political consultant and has more than $10,000 a month in expenses.
Which leads to two questions: (1) Who in the world would hire him to do any political consulting? and (2) How is he going to pay his criminal defense attorney?
To keep a new Miami-Dade garbage incinerator away, get ready to pay
Miami-Dade defers relocation vote til after election
Fired Miami City Attorney Victoria Mendez gets new gig at big firm, award
Victoria Mendez sure knows how to land on her feet.
The former Miami city attorney, unceremoniously fired for incompetence and conflicts of interests, is also in the midst of a Florida Bar investigation. Yet, she’s winning awards and landing a new job.
Tyreek Hill incident becomes campaign fodder for Miami-Dade Sheriff race
The unfortunate police takedown of Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill at a traffic stop earlier this month is already becoming a campaign issue in the race for Miami-Dade Sheriff. Pero, por supuesto.
Especially after the officer’s record of past abuse allegations came to light in recent days.
Coral Gables mayor ducks out of budget hearing for clock unveiling
The first Coral Gables city budget hearing was in full swing Thursday when Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago ducked out for the unveiling of his fancy clock on Miracle Mile. Quietly. He sort of sneaked out after public comment, during the staff presentation, like he was going to the bathroom.
But he never came back.
Fight over Omni CRA causes new rifts, alliances on Miami City Commission
The first city of Miami budget hearing on Saturday was dominated by a plea from the community to increase police patrols, especially in the Downtown Miami area and marine officers on the Miami River. But the discussion on the dais was dominated by the growing tension between District 2 Commissioner Damian Pardo and commissioners Miguel Gabela and Joe Carollo, who seem to have formed an alliance.
Ew.
Miami voters win on inspector general, lose on ‘outdoor gym’ referendum
Residents continue lawsuit to block amendment
Voters in the city of Miami voted yes down the line to three referendums on the Aug. 20 ballot. The first two questions will replace the city’s auditor general with a new office of inspector general, which has broader investigative powers. More on how that office will work later.
First debate for Miami-Dade sheriff’s race is set for next month, more coming
Miami-Dade Chief of Public Safety James Reyes, who is running for the county sheriff’s post established by voters across the state in 2018, announced on Tuesday that he had accepted an invitation to debate Miami-Dade Assistant Police Director Rosanna “Rosie” Cordero-Stutz, who won the Republican primary last month to advance to the November election.
The announcement, made by the Reyes campaign, said that the first of two televised English debates would be on WPLG Local 10 hosted by Glenna Milberg on the weekly Sunday show This Week in South Florida on Oct. 6. There have also been invitations for another English language debate, one Spanish-language debate and at least two community forums, campaign spokeswoman Claire Van Susteren said. She did not provide details on those Tuesday.
