County Mayor Carlos Gimenez Flip-Flops on Tax Rate Hike! @miamidadecounty @MayorGimenez @MiamiDadeFire City of... http://t.co/xnzIHDM1SbReference Articles:
— Homestead is Home (@HomesteadisHome) July 16, 2013
Six days and six nights have passed and it's hard to keep track of County Mayor Carlos Gimenez' tax rate fumble. One day he wants to raise the taxes to ensure firefighters and librarians keep their jobs and turning Miami-Dade county into a domestic pet sanctuary. The next he wants to forgo county services and layoff some folks. So which is it?
In support of transparency in the political process HIH is providing insight into the campaign finances of the candidates for the City Council next November. If the cash on hand is an indicator of who will be in office you will readily discern who will win. While money by itself wont sweep candidates into office it surely helps to get them there. Click on the names of the candidates to see the Campaign Treasurer's Report Summary for Quarter 2.
We figure there is more money yet to be doled out by the campaign contributors but may be waiting on the sidelines until after the Primary that will be necessary for the Mayor and Council Seat 4 (Southwest). We're also still waiting for Jeff Porter's and James Wyatt's to file their respective reports.
The largest purveyor of electricity and political contributions, Florida Power and Light (FPL), is adamant about getting its way when it comes to laying out new transmission lines along US1 and Everglades National Park. So much so they now influence the Public Service Commission (PSC) to the point where all commissioners have a utilities background. Never mind a Governor that is a large recipient of FPL's campaign contributions. When former PSC chairwoman Nancy Argenziano resigned in the fall of 2010, she delivered a stinging criticism of the panel: "The PSC is a revolving door with the utilities it regulates" as reported by the Herald Tribune.
Now the inevitable is happening for FPL has strategically placed itself as a mover and shaker in politics whereby only friendly to utilities PSC commissioners are appointed so it's no wonder they feel embolden to discount and literally ignore the local municipalities and their elected leaders with their plan to install new transmission lines. It's up to the citizens of the affected cities and Kendall to rise up and be heard. 2014 is an election year and Governor Rick Scott wants to get elected badly even if he's not the most likable politician. If our local leaders play their cards right they might just get their way to this electrifying affair. 
Buying a home is a life changing decision. Wouldn't it be great if there was someone to advise you on the tax implications of living in your new abode? This topic is usually avoided by the buyer who is usually more concerned with other aspects of home buying. Location, schools, purchase price, proximity to commercial areas, neighborhood ambience while property taxes, insurance and Homeowners Association (HOA) fees, not so much.
The board of the state run Citizens Property Insurance Corp. voted to raise rates by a statewide average of 7% next year, adding $178 million in new insurance costs for policyholders.
This is ludicrous for a county with over 10% unemployment we appear to be so wealthy as to afford the caring for homeless animals in perpetuity. The Non-Binding ballot question voters approved means just that, NON-BINDING. You don't have to, so cut the crap about funding it. As for fire stations closing, absolute baloney! 
Miami-Dade Commissioners Audrey Edmonson, Bruno Barreiro (prime sponsor), Sally Heyman, Barbara Jordan and Rebeca Sosa have sponsored a resolution to provide for bathroom accommodations throughout the county for gender identity and/or expression. In essence, this allows the transgender community access to private facilities. This already exists in many establishments by providing for Unisex/Family Bathroom facilities and this ordinance would make the availability more uniform. |
| LGBT Hater Anthony "Executioner" Verdugo |
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| LGBT Hater Fred Phelps |
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Residents of Homestead received another email this afternoon from Concerned Homestead Citizens. It reiterates the same story that all the major news outlet are reporting. The media blitz on the Mayor has been relentless but the Mayor has provided the fodder even if his heart is in the right place. It's one thing to try to bring jobs to Homestead by any means necessary. That is a position one can easily defend. It's quite another to try to profit from it at the same time. The Homestead voters will be the judge come November. 
The base is a possible candidate for closure in the next round of the BRAC 2015 as development continues to encroach on the flight path. Already, there's the Keys Gate Charter High School built on the path against objections of the Air Force Commanders who provided an Air Installation Compatible Use Zone study (AICUZ). With the building boom in Homestead returning to full steam, the area around the base will grown with more residential neighborhoods ensuring an eminent closure. To top it off the city is vying to annex land east of the city for none other than to expand the tax base and build some more. Regardless, of the city priorities one thing is for sure a BRAC in 2015 is going to happen and whether Homestead ARB makes it to the list is not a matter of if but when. No reason the fret though, the land most definitely will be turned over to the county. Will they turn it into Homestead Movie Studios or will it be another attempt at a commercial cargo relief airport for Miami International Airport (MIA) similar to the Homestead Air Base Developers Inc (HABDI) tried to get back in 2001. Who knows, guess we'll find out soon enough.
