Legislation
Chairwoman Sosa urges state to save elder meal programs
The Miami-Dade County Commission is urging the state to save funding for elder meal programs that provide thousands of meals for the elderly in Miami-Dade County.
On Feb. 19, the Commission passed a resolution sponsored by Chairwoman Rebeca Sosa to oppose any efforts in the Legislature to cut funding for meal programs for the low-income elderly, stressing the impact such cuts would have on Miami-Dade, which is home to 350,000 seniors and a third of the state’s Medicaid population.
“Any cuts to the state’s elder meal programs would be devastating to our County because of our large and growing population of senior citizens who rely on them,” Chairwoman Sosa said. “I urge Tallahassee to protect these programs, which provide a lifeline to so many seniors living on a fixed income.”
Chairwoman Sosa wants Congress to take aim at scammers who target elderly veterans
County Commission Chairwoman Rebeca Sosa wants Congress to take action to protect elderly veterans who too often become the victims of scammers.
The Miami-Dade County Commission on Feb. 19 approved a resolution sponsored by Chairwoman Sosa urging Congress to pass the Veterans Care Financial Protection bill. The bill aims to stop scam artists and predatory financial advisers who prey on elderly veterans qualifying for federal aid to pay for assisted living or in-home personal care.
“Veterans who have served this nation honorably deserve to enjoy a comfortable retirement, not to have their lives turned upside down by scam artists who pose as financial advisors to take control of their assets,” Chairwoman Sosa said.
Chairwoman Sosa closes the "Donut Hole"
In an effort to promote sustainable growth, the Miami-Dade County Commission on March 4 approved an ordinance sponsored by Chairwoman Rebeca Sosa to prevent the creation of pockets of undeveloped land outside the Urban Development Boundary (UDB).
The ordinance amends Section 2-116.1 of the Code of Miami-Dade County to prohibit future applications to expand the UDB that would result in enclaves, or “donut holes,” of undeveloped land surrounded more than 75 percent by developed land – a situation that in the past has created pressure for further development beyond the UDB.
“The donut hole scenario has plagued Miami-Dade County in the past by resulting in pockets of undeveloped land,” Chairwoman Sosa said. “In planning for the future, we must avoid creating these orphan parcels so we can take full advantage of infill development.”
Local environmentalists welcomed the ordinance.
“This is a great positive step forward in not encouraging sprawl-inducing developments,” Celeste De Palma of the Tropical Audubon Society told Commissioners.
Chairwoman Sosa sponsors resolution to prevent diversion of funds from sewer repairs
As Miami-Dade County prepares to embark on major repairs to its wastewater treatment system, County Commission Chairwoman Rebeca Sosa is sponsoring a resolution to prohibit the transfer of any Water & Sewer Department revenues to the County’s general fund for the duration of the project. The resolution is scheduled for a vote by the County Commission on Tuesday, March 18 at 9:30 a.m. Its wording is consistent with language in a settlement agreement pending in federal court regarding the County’s federally mandated sewer repairs, which are needed to bring the system into compliance with the Clean Water Act. “This resolution will demonstrate the County’s good faith in complying with terms of the settlement agreement while protecting the public health by ensuring that there is no diversion of funds from necessary sewer system repairs,” Chairwoman Sosa said.
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