Delivering Policy Solutions

There were several legislative updates and wins for the month of April. Check out some of the highlights and tell us what you think.

• The Prosperity Council, made up of myself, Chairman Monestime and Commissioner Jordan, brought forth an ordinance to increase the Living Wage for conty-funded jobs to $15.52 for employees who are not provided a healthcare plan.
• My ordinance to protect our agricultural industry through the elimination of diseased avocado trees infected with Laurel Wilt was approved on first reading.
• The Board passed my urging to the South Florida Water Management District to begin work on the Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Project, a critical component of Everglades Restoration that will help reduce salinity in Biscayne Bay.
• My ordinance that would ban polystyrene (commonly known as Styrofoam) at County parks passed first reading. It will go to the Metropolitan Services Committee on May 11th at 2:00 p.m.
• I presented a resolution that calls for recruiting organizations that have boycotted North Carolina and Mississippi due to the discriminatory laws passed that infringe upon the rights of LGBT people. The legislation directs the County Mayor to invite them to do business in our inclusive community.

Tell us your suggestions by emailing [email protected] or calling 305-378-6677/305-375-5218.

Coming Together to Become #WaterWarriors

This month, members of the community came together at the Palmetto Bay Village Chambers for the Why Water Matters Summit, co-hosted by my office and the Everglades Foundation. The summit focused on the interplay of our potable water, Everglades Restoration and sea level rise. Panelists discussed finding solutions and working together to protect our most precious and fragile natural resource.

Public engagement and participation are crucial to ensuring the safety of our water. I hope you will become a Water Warrior and help us protect our health, quality of life and economy. I am committed to leading collaboration on this critical issue.

Becoming Water Warriors in Palmetto Bay

Upcoming Policy Solutions 

May will be an important legislative month, with items on prosperity, transparency and equality going before the Board.

• On May 17th, the Board will vote on my resolution for CRA (Community Reinvestment Act) reform. My legislation provides 13 reforms that will ensure that CRAs serve as drivers for economic mobility and eliminate slum and blight in our community.  
• My item requiring Commissioners to disclose when a conflict of interest exists on a matter presented to the Commission will go to a final vote on May 17th.

Please contact us with any questions about the legislation and how to get involved: 305-375-5218, [email protected].

Town Hall on Turkey Point Cooling Canals

On May 12th, I will co-host a town hall in conjunction with the Village of Palmetto Bay, to understand causes and cures of the pollution leaking into our waters from the Turkey Point power plant. A group of experts and local leaders will be ready to answer your questions and hear your comments.

I have been strongly urging our state agencies to act quickly and firmly to minimize the environmental damage from the canals to our drinking water and Biscayne Bay. I will continue to push for a solution that will protect our water and restore the thousands of acres sacrificed as a hot lagoon for industrial water.

Summer Time and the Living is Easy

Summer is just around the corner and there are plenty of activities and opportunies available in South Dade. Read on and reach out if you have any questions or suggestions.

Dogs of Summer Adoption and Training Expo

Treat your pup this year at the Dogs of Summer Expo in Homestead. My office and Councilman Jon Burgess invite you the Harris Field Pavilion on May 21st at 10 a.m. for a dog's day. We will host on-site adoption, a free training workshop and free giveaways courtesy of Pet Supermarket. Keep your four-legged friend looking good at the dog wash and catch one of the frisbee shows led by local trainers. For more information call 305-378-6677 or email [email protected].

Registration for Summer Camp is Open

Sign-up the kids up for summer camp with the Miami-Dade Parks Department. Kids can live a park life through a variety of specialty camps, including arts, dance and sports. Check out the parks website for information on how to register and participating parks.

Make Some Money with a Summer Job

I am proud to support two programs with Career Source Florida that offer summer jobs for teens and young adults. Visit the District 8 website for the Summer Youth Employment Program for ages 14-17 or check out the Ready to Work Program if you are 18-27 years old.

Join Me for an Important Discussion on Healthcare

On May 11th, Florida CHAIN and the Florida Health Alliance will bring together community stakeholders to disuss the urgent state of healthcare in Miami-Dade. Afterwards, a group of faith leaders will host a summit on health equity. I am looking forward to speaking about local healthcare policy. I hope to see you there.

#Prosperity305

As part of my Prosperity Agenda, I sponsored a resolution to partner Miami-Dade with the FIU Metropolitican Center to explore the state of prosperity and equity in the county. The report includes several recommendations to begin closing the widening inequality gap in the county. The report will be officially released on May 25th at the 6th annual State of the South Florida Economy at 8:30 am. Be sure to register in advance.

I am confident that we can make Miami-Dade more equitable and accessible for all as we collaborate to implement these policy recommendations.

South Dade Goes Global

Are you interested in expanding your business beyond borders? Attend the District 8 Going Global Workshop on May 25th. Learn all there is to know about import/export trade expansion, including strategies for international expansion, trade financing and regulatory compliance, The workshop is free and will be held at the South Dade Regional Library. Check out the e-vite for registration information.

Become Part of the Miami-Dade Team and Join a County Board

Are you interested in getting involved and voting on County issues? We have several board vacancies available on a range of issues, including vacancies on boards related to the Metropolitan Planning Organization (transportation) and the youth commission (high school sophomores and juniors). Please contact Johanna at 305-375-5218 for more information.

Great in 8 Profile: Highlighting Foster Families

The month of May is Foster Care Awareness Month. In honor of this special month, Team 8 is working with Our Kids of Miami-Dade/Monroe to raise awareness on the children in the foster system and how to become a foster parent. Every year, thousands of abused, abandoned and neglected children enter foster care in Miami-Dade. At any given time, as many as 3,400 children in both jurisdictions are in the child welfare system. Our Kids, created in 2002, creates a safe haven for children and families through foster care and adoption. For this month's Great in 8 profile, we are showcasing a beautiful foster family. Read on to find out this South Dade family's journey.

Jeanine Rojas became a foster parent two years ago and was part of the first Our Kids graduating class. Jeanine explains that she made the decision to foster becuase "I knew there was a need for foster parents. I felt like these kids needed love and I needed them as much as they needed me." Jeanine's three children are all adopted.

Jeanine understands that many people may not know how to become a foster parent or believe that they are not ready to foster due to financial or personal circumstances. However, she quickly learned that single individuals, renters and members of the LGBTQ community all have the potential to give a home to a foster child. Our Kids answered many of her questions during their five week course, including how to help children who are victims of abuse, safety in the home and other important issues. Jeanine explained that there is a strong support system for foster families that provides supplies, advice and help for families.

Thank you Jeanine and all our Miami-Dade foster families for your dedication to our county's children. If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, please contact Our Kids at 305-455-6000.

The beautiful Rojas Family

Working Together for Great Parks

Congrats to the Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department for putting together a fantastic Great Parks Summit. Parks are the great equalizer that brings our community together and it was inspiring to be part of a diverse group of parks advocates. I am proud to have championed the Parks for People 2015 initiative that brought together residents across the county to rally for a 20% restoration in funding for our parks and green spaces.

Loved the beautiful centerpieces at the summit. They came from one of our South Dade growers

Celebrating Mother Earth at Baynanza

I always look forward to Baynanza. For two decades, Miami-Dade County has held an annual clean-up day to raise awareness about our beautiful and fragile Biscayne Bay. This year, I joined hundreds of volunteers at the Deering Estate and Black Point.

Protecting our environment continues to be one of my top priorities. I recently filed legislation that would ban Styrofoam products on county parks and beaches. The ordinance will go to the Metropolitan Services Committee on May 11th. Please join us there to express your support.

This little guy wanted to help us clean-up the bay

Raising Funds for Arivda Music Program

It was family fun day at the Arvida Middle School Viking Fest. Teachers and students faced off at basketball and soccer and the Arvida orchestra played tunes for all to enjoy. The money raised at the festival went towards the Arvida music program.

Team 8 had a blast at Arvida Middle

Congrats to the talented Arvida orchestra