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.
NSF: State House, Senate show their budget plans, and there’s a big gap to close
NSF: State House, Senate show their budget plans, and there’s a big gap to close
PAC says it did NOT send hit piece on Ralph Cabrera — so who did?
Coral Gables voters got a mailer this week that attacks Ralph Cabrera on development, calling him a “career politician” and saying he approved 40% of the tallest buildings in the city.
But nobody is taking the credit.
Not only is the figure pulled out of the sky, with no reference to any research or parameters — are we talking about the five “tallest buildings,” for example? — the piece says it is paid for by a Jensen Beach political action committee that told Ladra Friday it had nothing to do with it.
So that means we do not know and may never know who really paid for the mail piece. Unless we can get the State Attorney’s Office to investigate. Because someone did break the law here.
Read related: Coral Gables candidate Jorge Fors had illegal Homestead exemption
Ladra’s first guess was that the piece came from Jorge Fors‘ camp. Neither Carmen Olazabal, the onetime interim city manager, nor downtown property owner Jackson “Rip” Holmes have the funds you would need to do this kind of mailer. And, besides, the Leadership for Florida’s Future PAC has ties to Fors’ campaign manager Steve Marin, who got $63,000 from them last year.
But Marin, who said he was paid for work on state races, told Ladra he had nothing to do with the hit piece, either. “I don’t have a PAC for this reason, said Marin, adding that Fors’ mailers will come directly from the campaign.
Ladra specifically asked a PAC administrator if they had maybe sent it on behalf of Steve Marin. Debbie Millner, wife of PAC Chairman Michael Millner, vehemently denied sending it on behalf of anybody.
“We know nothing about it. We didn’t send it out,” Millner told Ladra Friday morning. “No one asked us if they could use our political committee at all.”
Leadership for Florida’s Future doesn’t have any contributions or expenses reported since October, except for $1,300 paid last month in accounting fees. The report for March won’t be filed and public until after the election April 9.
Watchdog: Florida insurance reform bill has new cap on emergency repairs, same cap on airing of grievances
Watchdog: Florida insurance reform bill has new cap on emergency repairs, same cap on airing of grievances
AP: Florida House passes bill to make opening hospitals easier
AP: Florida House passes bill to make opening hospitals easier
Herald: FL Senate gives right to grow veggies in the front yard a green thumbs up
Herald: FL Senate gives right to grow veggies in the front yard a green thumbs up
Sun Sentinel: Is Florida's $2.4 billion criminal justice system due for an overhaul?
Sun Sentinel: Is Florida’s $2.4 billion criminal justice system due for an overhaul?
Watchdog: Florida bills seek to require two-thirds majority for passage of sales tax referendums
Watchdog: Florida bills seek to require two-thirds majority for passage of sales tax referendums
Herald-Tribune: House joins Senate in push to allow some teachers to carry guns
Herald-Tribune: House joins Senate in push to allow some teachers to carry guns
POLITICO: As Galvano and Oliva suffer setbacks, deal-cutting takes shape
POLITICO: As Galvano and Oliva suffer setbacks, deal-cutting takes shape
Sun-Sentinel: Florida House panel approves guns for teachers
Sun-Sentinel: Florida House panel approves guns for teachers
