Days after an angry mob swarmed Donna Shalala‘s campaign office where Congresswoman and known Castro apologists Barbara Lee and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi , Democrats have invited another pro-Cuba legislator to stump for them in Miami-Dade.
Really? Are they really that dumb?
New York Congressman Adriano Espaillat, a big advocate of opening relations with Cuba who has invited pro-Cuba lobby and business groups to DC, will be at a Little Havana restaurant Saturday evening. He’s there to support Andrew Gillum for governor and every single other local Democrat on the ballot, including a couple of council candidates in Doral and Hollywood.
But why? ¿Que pinta Adriano Espaillat aqui? ¿Que pinta Barbara Lee aqui, for that matter? Lee, photographed here with Raul Castro, ended up cancelling her visit because she apparently figured out it was a bad idea. Pelosi was enough communist on her own, however, to keep the Cuban American ire. Why on Earth are Democrats bringing these wrong-on-Cuba legislators to stump for them in a county where Cuban Americans are still the largest or, and more importantly, consistent voting bloc?
Are they really that stupid?
Espaillat was invited by the Dominican American Democratic Club and Dominicans for Gillum and the contact for the event is none other than former State Rep. Daisy Baez, who was forced to resign after she was caught living outside her district and lying about it. Dems can’t do better than this?
The congressman is also scheduled to canvass with Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, who is running against U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, on Sunday afternoon.
Boneheaded. Girl, you don’t need his baggage. Just like Shalala, who was already struggling with the Cuban vote in particular, didn’t need Pelosi.
Certainly these status-symbol, celebrity Democrats attract a crowd (read: donations) and are good ambassadors or surrogates in competitive contests around the country where Cuba is not an issue. But not here. You don’t have to be a genius to know that their Cuba baggage could hurt more than help.
Read related: Promised ‘blue wave’ ends up being a little splash in state races
Ladra thinks someone was or should have been fired from Shalala’s campaign after they invited Lee. I mean, what were they thinking?
This is not to excuse the behavior of those Cuban American protesters who banged on the door and acted like thugs at the Shalala event Thursday. Ladra and her family were embarrassed to see their behavior and hear their language at what could have and should have been a perfectly legitimate demonstration of disgust.
Hopefully, Cuban Americans will keep it a little cleaner and more polite at the eventual protest at the Espaillat event Saturday night.
And hopefully local Democrats — who have done enough with their lack of support of local state candidates who could actually win with their help — will stop inviting these Castro apologists to come into our hen house. Especially if they want to win a couple of seats this year.

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The Gimenez clan grip on Miami-Dade tightens.
A second son of Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez has registered to lobby the county: Julio Gimenez — better known as the bad boy arrested in 2006 for drug possession and 2009 for disorderly intoxication after a bar brawl — registered this summer to lobby for Miami-Dade Steel, LLC, which wants to build a steel mill in the southernmost part of the county.
Julio Gimenez joined brother CJ Gimenez on the list of registered lobbyists with the county, moving in on his turf. According to Claude Francis, the county’s lobbyist registrar, Julio Gimenez — who completed his ethics training on June 15 — checked the box where he is exempt from paying the $490 fee because he said he was a principal in Miami Dade Steel.
There is nothing in the state corporate records to indicate that. But the corporation was filed in Delaware, a state with laws that are generally favorable to business, using a corporation trust, which is often used for secrecy.
Read related story: Carlos Gimenez’s son’s firm got $4 million PAC repair job
Is it possible that Julio Gimenez has a small percentage of Miami Dade Steel? Sure it is. It is also possible that he does not or that he gets that small percentage as a participatory fee, like a trade for his palanca, er, lobby services. There is no proof required at the county. It’s an honor system for lobby registrations. Uh huh.
But, just as importantly, who else owns it? Who is Julio Gimenez really working for?
Julio Gimenez, center, in 2011 at an MCM project
According to a recent Miami Herald story, Miami-Dade Steel, which formed in April this year — just after the president put additional tariffs on imported steel for construction — wants to build a modernized $240 million steel mill complex on 120 acres of land, including some county-owned property, near the Homestead Air Force base but just outside the city.
The Herald story says that Tania Cruz, the wife of the mayor’s other lobbyist son, also did some work for the company but was no longer representing them. Who else is involved? Ralph Garcia Toledo? Joe Carollo?
Read related: Joe Carollo pays Carlos Gimenez clan more than $175K in total
While Mayor Gimenez has recused himself, as required, from discussions or negotiations dealing with Miami-Dade Steel, Chairman Esteban “Steve” Bovo — his buddy and the heir apparent to his throne — will definitely consider what Carlitos wants before he acts on his behalf and Deputy Mayor Jack Osterholt, the mayor’s official liaison on all Miami-Dade Steel matters, is gonna wanna do whatever makes the boss happy.
Ditto for Dennis Moss, whose wife has an airport job she may or may not have earned and who met with Julio Gimenez already, according to the Herald story.
And this is just Julio’s first lobbying gig. Certainly it won’t be his last. After all, most of his siblings live off his Papi’s job and political palanca, why shouldn’t he? His wife, Barby Rodriguez, has a cushy job for a PR company that just happened to get the “public outreach” contract for the county’s water and sewer department. Here’s the happy couple, photographed right, when they’re not working.
Read related: Barby Gimenez shows up to no-show job on county dime
Both Rodriguez and Cruz also get bank as campaign consultants for Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo, a Gimenez ally. And CJ Gimenez, the other lobbyist son, has basically made his career from his family ties and is currently on teams representing the Miami Freedom soccer franchise and Formula 1 racing.
Of course, Julio Gimenez has benefited from his dad’s position before. When he worked for Facchina Construction, Mayor Papi awarded them a no-bid contract on the $4-million repair job for the roof of the Arsht Performing Arts Center. Before that, he worked at Munilla Construction Management, the mayor’s inlaws who get so many water and sewer and other county projects.
This could show that the Gimenez clan is anxious to squeeze every last taxpayer dollar they can before Papi terms out in 2020.

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This mid-term ballot we’re getting for the Nov. 6 election is so long it almost feels like an SAT test. Seven pages or more will ask us not only to choose between federal, state and local candidates for office but also to set structure and policy for the state and county and cities like Miami for years, maybe decades, to come.
Amendments are important. Referendum questions sometimes matter even more than a two-man contest where the winner lasts a max four years.
A lot of important things hang in the balance: Affordable housing, gambling influence, public safety. Here is Ladra’s guide and recommendations for the 12 state amendments — Amendment 8 was struck from the ballot by the court after it found the language misleading — and county questions on this ballot:
Amendment 1 would add an extra $25,000 homestead exemption — and an annual tax break of $200 or so — for homes valued over $100,000. Our local politicos are screaming bloody murder because this takes dollars out of their greedy little hands. They warn about fewer property taxes to pay for services and capital improvements. But they could also learn to spend better and their lack to truly roll back taxes — leaving a flat rate that amounts to a tax increase because property values increase — does increase their tax base every year. Homeowners need relief. And politicos need a lesson. So vote yes.
Amendment 2 also deals with property taxes. It would take a 10 percent cap on annual tax increases for vacation homes, apartments and commercial properties that voters approved in 2008 and make it permanent. The break is scheduled to expire this year. Experts warn that without an extension, these properties could see huge tax increases and those costs would trickle down to renters — further exacerbating the affordable housing crisis — and consumers who would pay more for products and services, from lumber to a haircut and everything in between. Vote yes.
Read related: Property appraisers: Vote yes on Amendment 2 or rents, prices rise
Amendment 3 would give voters the exclusive right to approve casino gambling and expansions in the state, taking away the power from legislators. Good idea. It should be up to us in our communities not some big shot empty suits getting wined and dined by lobbyists in Tallahassee. Yes, it is true that this was started by a political action committee backed by Disney and the Seminole tribe to take out any competition before it starts. But it should be up to the residents. Added bonus: We take gaming money out of campaigns. Vote yes.
Amendment 4 would restore the voting rights of felons after they’ve served their sentences. Not all felons, mind you. People convicted of murder or sex offenses would not be able to vote again. Ever. Which Ladra thinks is still too harsh. If they are rehabilitated and did their time, if they are released and finish parole, maybe we could even have some criteria — say, community hours or something — all felons should be able to vote again. But this is a good start. Vote yes.
Amendment 5 would require a two-thirds vote in the state legislature to increase or impose any new taxes or fees. That sounds like a good idea, too, but it’s not. I know some might think we will get the two-thirds vote if we really need it, but that’s incredibly difficult if not partisanly impossible. This would tie legislators’ hands and we elect them for a reason. Vote no.
Amendment 6 expands the rights of crime victims under the state constitution, providing for more communication with prosecutors and notification of the status of a case, including a right to provide information before the release of anyone convicted of a crime and the right to be heard in trial proceedings. Voting for this would also raise the mandatory retirement age for judges from 70 to 75, which doesn’t seem like that much of a stretch, even though we should generally be going in the other direction. But it’s worth it for the victims’ rights. Vote yes.
Amendment 7 would require a two-thirds vote of university trustees to raise college tuition or fees and would provide paid college tuition to survivors of first responders and members of the military who are killed in the line of duty. Both of these things are good and the costs are negligible. Vote yes.
Amendment 9 would prohibit oil and gas drilling in Florida waters — which seems smart in light of our tourism economy — and ban vaping in indoor workplaces. So folks’ll just have to go outside for a vape just like a smoke. Again, a couple of no-brainers. Vote yes.
Read related: Elected Miami-Dade Sheriff would curb mayor’s abuse of power
Amendment 10 is the one that would establish an elected sheriff and supervisor of elections in Miami-Dade. Right now, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez is in charge of both departments because he can hire or fire both department heads. It wasn’t long ago he declared himself the supervisor of elections, which seems like a huge abuse of power. This amendment would also create a Department of Veterans Affairs and an office of domestic security, both of which seem like a good idea. If anyone is worried about how we would pay for these things, please be assured there are state offices and jobs now that would simply be transferred to a new focus. Vote yes.
Amendment 11 would remove language in the constitution that is outdated, like parts that prohibit non-citizens from owning property. It also deletes a provision that forces the state to prosecute people under the law they were originally charged under, even if the legislature changes that law.  There is no downside. Vote yes.
Amendment 12 would restrict public officials from lobbying state government while they’re in office and for six years after they are out of office. Right now, the cap is on the first two years after they leave, which means that often they can lobby their one-time colleagues. Because most state legislators are termed out after eight years, this would cut down on cronyism. Vote yes.
Amendment 13 would end greyhound racing in Florida by 2020. Ladra’s heart is torn on this one. South Florida is so entrenched in dog racing and horse racing that its become part of our history and culture. Plus there are a lot of jobs in the industry. If this passes, it could shut down 12 dog tracks in Florida. And what happens to these dogs once they are jobless? Do they have retirement plans? But the industry does have its problems and its not okay for dogs to be injured and exploited for human pleasure. Maybe these dog tracks can be converted into something more useful. Vote yes.

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The Kendall Federation of Homeowners Associations has yet another candidate forum, the second of three this month, Wednesday night. This one features the head-to-head contests in three House districts.
In House District 105, Democrat Javier Estevez is going up against Doral Councilwoman Ana Maria Rodriguez for the seat vacated by State Rep. turned Ambassador Carlos Trujillo.
The incumbent is Republican and Rodriguez has had Dems vote for her in Doral and $278,000 in campaign contributions, which is about 45 times as much as Estevez raised. Even though she has spent all but about $20,000 to get into the general, Estevez better take advantage of this forum because she has access to more money.
Read related: KFHA candidate forum features Kendall Senate and two state races
In House District 116, Republican incumbent State Rep. Daniel Perez, who has had to win three elections in less than 18 months, will defend himself a fourth time against Democrat James Harden, who hasn’t even had a primary.
Harden is also at a huge disadvantage not only because of his name — Ladra doesn’t think the Eileen Higgins phenomenon is going to repeat in Westchester — and financially, with only $5,960 raised compared to $209,550 raised by Perez.
In House District 119, left open by termed out State Rep. Jeanette Nunez, there are two newbies: Democrat Heath Rassner and Republican Juan Fernandez-Barquin, who pulled an upset beating Analeen “Annie” Martinez, the commissioner’s kid.
Read related: Primary election brings few surprises, leaving general on hook
Still, that took nearly his whole $174,000 nut (including the $30K he loaned himself) and Fernandez-Barquin’s got about $20,000 left — which is still more than three times what Rassner has left. Rassner raised $13,000, but he spent almost $7,000 already as well.
It looks like the Democrats blew it again, putting no-name candidates with very little money or momentum in state races that could have been competitive and could have been carried in a blue wave but likely won’t be now.
Voters can make up their own minds at the KFHA forum that begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Civic Pavilion in the Kendall Village shopping center.

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A mailer landed in Miami mailboxes this week from Joe Carollo‘s electioneering communications organization, Miami First, telling voters that Mayor Xavier Suarez is being dishonest about the strong mayor referendum and asking them to say no and punch 383.
Ladra wasn’t surprised that it broke election law. ECOs, similar to a political action committees but with different rules, can refer to a candidate or issue only “without expressly advocating the election or defeat.” Seems that “say no to” and adding the punch number advocates defeat.
Read related: Mayor Carlos Gimenez clan involved in Joe Carollo lawsuit vs strong mayor
But it’s no surprise, first, because it’s Joe Carollo, who cares very little about those technicalities and, second, because his alleged mailer consultant is Tania Cruz, the daughter-in-law of Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez, who is relatively new at this.
Yet, for someone who makes stupid mistakes, the girl is already banking, getting more than half of the $188,130 spent by Miami First, with $101,585 for consulting and mailers. Add that to the $60K the wife of lobbyist mayoral son CJ Gimenez got from the campaign account, first reported on Political Cortadito last month, and it’s a total of $161,000 so far from Carollo to Cruz. Which, yeah, sure, she may have to split with former Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla, who seems to have taught her a thing or two, but it’s still a good amount.
Read related: Joe Carollo files late campaign report with $60K to mayor’s daughter in law 
And she ain’t the only one in her family on Carollo’s payroll. Barby Rodriguez Gimenez, the other daughter-in-law married to the bad boy son, got paid $14,269 for “consulting” also. If you add it all up, the Gimenez clan has been paid at least $175,000 by Carollo since last year.
It breaks down like this:

$10,000 for Barby Rodriguez on Jan. 10 for consulting
$37,384.05 to Tania Cruz on Nov. 18 for consulting
$15,758.52 to Tania Cruz on Nov. 11 for consulting
$17,641.80 to Tania Cruz on Oct. 25 for mailers
$17,641.80 to Tania Cruz on Oct. 21 for mailers
$13,159.30 to Tania Cruz on Oct. 7, 2017 for mailers
$4,269 to Barby Rodriguez on Sept. 27, 2017 for consulting

Cruz also got bank from the Ultra Music Festival organizers, who hired her as a lobbyist so they could get a meeting with Carollo, who ended up stabbing them in the back, maybe so he could do CJ a favor.
Read related: Ultra out for Formula 1 could be Joe Carollo nod to CJ Gimenez
But don’t worry. This hasn’t been a one way street. The cash flowed the other way when Gimenez paid Carollo $6,000 a month for years through his PAC. We never knew what that was for. Maybe he was sewing the seeds for this.
And you know there’s more coming. These figures are just through the last campaign report, which counts through Oct. 12. Miami First hasn’t shown any activity from May, when it collected $48,000 from development interests on two separate days. The last expenditure was to La Rue Management for $3,000 worth of more consulting.
We have to wait until the 19th to see next one with this mailer’s expenses on it.
And to see how much more the mayor’s daughter-in-law gets paid.

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