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.
With voting machines tested, Miami-Dade is ready for Nov. 5 election
The Miami-Dade County Elections Department finished on Wednesday an in-depth test of its voting equipment in preparation for the Nov. 5 general election.
The “Logic and Accuracy Test” is the final test prior to equipment deployment for the election, a department statement read. Each step of the voting and tabulation process was tested: ballots were cast according to a predetermined outcome of a mock election, the votes were tabulated, and reconciled to ensure they were counted accurately.
Miami-Dade Commissioner Rene Garcia hosts town hall for condo owners
Earlier this year, the Florida Legislature made significant changes to condominium laws to enhance the safety, financial transparency and governance of condo associations. These new changes, signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, were mostly in response to the tragic 2021 collapse of the 12-story Champlain Towers South in Surfside, which caused the deaths of 98 people.
These changes — which include stricter qualifications for and accountability from board members — have been the topic of radio shows and podcasts. Several elected officials have had public forums for the community to discuss the consequences and provisions of these laws. Now it’s Miami-Dade Commissioner Rene Garcia‘s turn.
Miami commissioners slap residents in the face with lifetime pensions vote
One lifeline: Mayor Francis Suarez could veto
Ladra’s guide for state amendments, wifi question on the November ballot
AKA: No, no, yes, yes, yes, no, yes
Voting so far in Miami-Dade: Low, low turnout on absentee or mail-in ballots
Less than 5% of the people who have been mailed absentee or vote-by-mail ballots in Miami-Dade have returned them in the two weeks since they were sent by the elections department, which seems super low.
And Democrats are voting at a higher rate than Republicans — almost 2 to 1.
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.
